210mm F5.6 Lens For 8x10

[braxus]

Im just wondering if I overlooked an option or two, but is the old version of the Fujinon W 210mm f5.6 lens the only real option for 8x10 cameras, when price is considered? Or is there other known name brand lenses of this focal length that will cover 8x10? Are they as good in quality as the Fujinon? What about price? Im guessing no to all of this, but I just want to see if there is another option before I pull the trigger on a lens.

[Kiwi7475]

Im just wondering if I overlooked an option or two, but is the old version of the Fujinon W 210mm f5.6 lens the only real option for 8x10 cameras? Or is there other known name brand lenses of this focal length that will cover 8x10? Are they as good in quality as the Fujinon? What about price? Im guessing no to all of this, but I just want to see if there is another option before I pull the trigger on a lens.

Check this out:


https://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenses/LF8x10in.html

https://graflex.org/lenses/lens-spec.html

Of course that’s at f22, smaller aperture will increase the image circle some more.

That said the Fuji 210mm is probably the most cost effective way to get that focal length for 8x10.

I also use the old Fuji 180mm and covers 8x10 with no movement. And of course the Fuji 240mm A is a really good option for 8x10. Those are both hovering 210mm if you’re open to it.

[Oren Grad]

Rodenstock Apo-Sironar/Apo-Sironar-W
Schneider Super-Symmar HM
Schneider Super-Symmar XL

The Apo-Sironar(-W) and the SS-HM have specified image circles of around 350mm at f/22 and infinity focus, which allows reasonable room for movement on 8x10. Of these, the Rodenstocks are smaller and lighter than the Schneider.

The SS-XL has an image circle of 500mm, but is big, very heavy and very pricey.

[braxus]

I looked at the W and S Rodenstocks, but they want over 2 grand for this lens, so thats out. N versions don't cover.

[Oren Grad]

Image circles specified for the Rodenstock 210s:

(Apo-)Sironar-N: 301 mm
Apo-Sironar-S: 316 mm
Apo-Sironar(-W): 352 mm

[braxus]

Schneider lenses are even higher in price. Doesnt look like you can beat the Fuji from what I see so far. You can pick one up for $200.

[Ari]

Computar 210 f/9 is probably the best lens for 8x10 before things get spendy, i.e., a 210XL or Grandagon 200. Still available in shutter for under $1K.
It has a ~440mm image circle and is very sharp and contrasty. And it can be used as a convertible 370mm lens by removing the front element.

I used the Fuji 210 on 8x10 for a while, and although it's a fine lens, it's a much better lens for 4x5/5x7. I found it was softer on 8x10.
I also had the Apo-Sironar W, but I'd always run out of room pretty quickly.

Yes, I'm selling one.

[Keith Pitman]

Schneider 210 Angulon is another option.

[neil poulsen]

I've owned the 210mm Computar f9 lens, and had a chance to do some testing with it. Note that one really has to stop the lens down to get anything close to 440mm.

I finally decided that, if ever I need a 210mm focal length on 8x10, I'll use a 105mm SW (Fujinon) on 4x5. So, my widest lens on 8x10 is a 250mm f6.7 Fujinon, which has a quoted image circle at f22 of 398mm. It offers decent movement for 8x10. I sold the f9 Computar.

[Jody_S]

The best option, IMHO, in terms of price and image quality, as well as backpack-ability, is the old (dagor design) Schneider G-Claron 210/9. No it's not f5.6, but it's a better lens, and often cheaper.

[Eric Leppanen]

Here is a list of 210mm 8x10 lenses I put together some years ago:

Small/light lenses
Graphic Kowa f/9 (Copal 1, single-coated, reportedly around 380mm IC)
Computar f/9 (Copal 1, single-coated, reportedly around 460mm IC)
G-Claron f/9 (Copal 1, single-coated, covers 8x10 with very limited movements when stopped down)

Medium sized lenses
Fuji W f/5.6 (Copal 1, single-coated, 352mm IC)
Schneider Angulon f/6.8 (Copal 3, single-coated, 382mm IC)
Rodenstock APO Sironar W f/5.6 (Copal 3, multi-coated, 352mm IC)

Large lenses
Schneider Super Symmar HM f/5.6 (Copal 3, multi-coated, 356mm IC)
Schneider Super Angulon f/8 (Copal 3, single/multi-coated, 500mm IC)
Schneider Super Symmar XL f/5.6 (Copal 3, multi-coated, 500mm IC)
Rodenstock Grandagon/Grandagon-N 200mm f/6.8 (Copal 3, single/multi-coated, 495mm IC)

Here are my thoughts from a more recent post:

The sharpest option IMO is the Sironar W, but I found the coverage at times restricting. I initially tried a small lens/big lens dual solution, using a 210 APO Symmar L (barely covers) for backpacking and either a 210 SSXL (light falloff could be bothersome when significant movements are applied) or 200 Grandagon (less falloff but extremely bulky/heavy) for short hikes. I then explored lightweight f/9 solutions for field use, and compared a 210 Graphic Kowa and 210 Computar. I liked the optical performance of the Computar better than the Kowa, and it had plenty of usable coverage if one could tame the extreme amount of light falloff when significant movements are applied (if I had continued using 8x10 format I would have explored finding a center filter for it). The Computar also exhibited more field curvature than the huge, better corrected wide angle designs (SSXL, Grandagon), meaning I potentially had to stop down more to get everything sharp. Still, if I had to pick a universal 210mm 8x10 lens for field use, I'd go with either the Sironar W (if the coverage is adequate) or the Computar as the best blend of performance and size.

[Vaughn]

For 210mm on 8x10 I use a Wollensak 210mm f6.8 Graphic Raptar Wide Field Lens. Plenty of movements for landscape work, small, light, cheap. barrel. Someone wrote almost 20 years ago: "They are a prefect fit into the Alphax shutter that normaly comes with a 75 mm ossilisxope lens."

[Bernice Loui]

200_ism mm lens for 8x10 has come up often. Do a search on LFF to see the numerous previous discussions.

Essentially, it comes down to cost -vs- lens size -vs- what your specific print image needs are. At this point in time there are few low cost-small size-excellent optical performance lenses for 8x10 as they ALL have trade offs.

Best 200mm lens I've used in the past for 8x10, 200mm f6.8 Grandagon it is HUGE and Expensive with excellent performance.

Not just the lens, what lens can your 8x10 camera be comfortable with?

~What are your print image goals?.... And another plug for 5x7_13x18cm, there are PLENTY of wide angle lenses that easily cover that sheet film format and there are very real advantages to that smaller film format over 8x10.


Bernice

[Sal Santamaura]

It's amazing how few people read the title of this thread. "210mm F5.6 Lens for 8x10."

[Dan Fromm]

It's amazing how few people read the title of this thread. "210mm F5.6 Lens for 8x10."

Sal, early in the discussion I asked the OP if he absolutely had to have f/5.6. He replied that he could live with f/6.8.

[Vaughn]

It's amazing how few people read the title of this thread. "210mm F5.6 Lens for 8x10."

Another country heard from...,:cool:

[Sal Santamaura]

Sal, early in the discussion I asked the OP if he absolutely had to have f/5.6. He replied that he could live with f/6.8.That was at PHOTRIO, not here.


Another country heard from...,:cool:I've heard that you northern California guys think of us down here as a separate country. Is this confirmation? :)

[Vaughn]

...I've heard that you northern California guys think of us down here as a separate country. Is this confirmation? :) Might as well be! I won't be visiting my brother in San Clemente for awhile -- They won't let me back into the county.

[Mark Sawyer]

The 210mm f/6.8 Dagor and Ilex Acuton f/4.8 215mm both cover 8x10, but not much more.