Moderate wide + shallow DOF lens recommendations?

[okcomputer]

One of my favorite "looks" in all of photography are the environmental portraits taken with a Pentax 67 105mm/2.4 wide open... it's a pretty unique look of a normal view but shallow DOF.
Any thoughts on what lens to look for in 4x5 that's similar or better and goes wider? a Nikkor 90/4.5? A Zeiss 135/3.5? If anyone has any wide open examples with these, I'd love to see them! (I have a Sinar P2, so I'd like to avoid barrel lenses and Aero Ektars).

thanks!

[ridax]

The very basic geometry implies that a 105mm f/2.4 for 55x70mm corresponds to approximately 180mm f/4 for 4x5". But perhaps nobody would say what is better for you (still wider an angle? still faster the aperture?) - except yourself....

[ic-racer]

The answer is a 105mm on 4x5. It will give exactly what you asked for. Trouble will be finding one that covers as most are 6x9cm lenses.

[mhayashi]

Well, if you have a Sinar system, why not use barrel lenses with the Sinar copal shutter?
Some of the old fast lenses are available and cheap in barrel, like aero ektar alternatives.

[Corran]

A plain-jane 150mm f/5.6 would be a good start.
231350
Schneider APO Symmar 150mm f/5.6 at like f11.

[jnantz]

One of my favorite "looks" in all of photography are the environmental portraits taken with a Pentax 67 105mm/2.4 wide open... it's a pretty unique look of a normal view but shallow DOF.
Any thoughts on what lens to look for in 4x5 that's similar or better and goes wider? a Nikkor 90/4.5? A Zeiss 135/3.5? If anyone has any wide open examples with these, I'd love to see them! (I have a Sinar P2, so I'd like to avoid barrel lenses and Aero Ektars).

thanks!

I can't help you with the lens recommendation but want to say "nice images on your website!"
John

[Bernice Loui]

105mm lens on 6x7 would be closer to a "normal" focal lenght lens, not moderate wide. Releative to 4x5, focal lenght from 150mm to about 180mm would be similar. As for the f2.4 aperture with the 105mm lens on 4x5, aprox would be f4 to f5.6 would be close enough. There are many modern and vintage lenses that fit these numbers.

Possible to post a 6x7 image example made with the 105mm f2.4 Pentax 6x7 lens?

Medium wide on 6x7 would be about 60mm to 80mm focal lenght or 120mm to 135mm on 4x5.

If the camera involved is a Sinar (any Sinar) there is zero reason to exclude barrel lenses. Adding a Sinar shutter opens up the entire universe of barrel lenses that could be used to meet your image goals.


Bernice

[aphcl84]

I think a 180mm Heliar would give you the closest look to the Pentax 105mm with only a third stop difference in DOF. You can get them either in barrel and use the Sinar Copal shutter or in a Compound shutter.

[Bernice Loui]

The 105mm f2.4 Pentax lens is likely a Planar/Gauss design-formula.

Going up in focal lenght and 4x5 allows a variety of lenses that meet this need. From the modern Plasmat to Tessar and much more..
A Tessar forumula-design lens is FAR lower cost and available than the IMO overly touted Heilar which has gained "cult" status in the same way as Aero Ektar, Planar, Xenotar and...


Bernice


I think a 180mm Heliar would give you the closest look to the Pentax 105mm with only a third stop difference in DOF. You can get them either in barrel and use the Sinar Copal shutter or in a Compound shutter.

[okcomputer]

105mm lens on 6x7 would be closer to a "normal" focal lenght lens, not moderate wide. Releative to 4x5, focal lenght from 150mm to about 180mm would be similar. As for the f2.4 aperture with the 105mm lens on 4x5, aprox would be f4 to f5.6 would be close enough. There are many modern and vintage lenses that fit these numbers.

Possible to post a 6x7 image example made with the 105mm f2.4 Pentax 6x7 lens?

Medium wide on 6x7 would be about 60mm to 80mm focal lenght or 120mm to 135mm on 4x5.

If the camera involved is a Sinar (any Sinar) there is zero reason to exclude barrel lenses. Adding a Sinar shutter opens up the entire universe of barrel lenses that could be used to meet your image goals.


Bernice

Thanks - given this, is the Zeiss 135/3.5 a good candidate? I haven't been able to find many photos from it on line.

[okcomputer]

I can't help you with the lens recommendation but want to say "nice images on your website!"
John

Thank you! I'd forgotten about that site, I think it's been about 5 years since I updated it... such it is with social media now :)

[Corran]

Thanks - given this, is the Zeiss 135/3.5 a good candidate? I haven't been able to find many photos from it on line.

135mm f/3.5 Schneider Xenotar on 4x5:
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xD4_HKBxRd0/T3q61uEBjqI/AAAAAAAAAtg/Yeo0m2_XaLM/s800/0212ss.jpg

With 3x4 Fuji instant film:

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EO6ftEBeH5E/UkmTRsFbzLI/AAAAAAAAD9g/NX7NG5jC1mA/s1200/Untitled-1.jpg

[Alan Klein]

Here's a good site to compare lenses in different formats. I set the parameters for your lens.
https://www.pointsinfocus.com/tools/depth-of-field-and-equivalent-lens-calculator/#{%22c%22:[{%22f%22:18,%22av%22:%222.5%22,%22fl%22:105,%22d%22:3048,%22cm%22:%220%22}],%22m%22:0}

[Mark Sampson]

You might have a look at the Kodak Ektar 152/4.5 lens. A fine optic stopped down, and fast enough to have razor-thin DOF wide open.

[Joseph Kashi]

The answer is a 105mm on 4x5. It will give exactly what you asked for. Trouble will be finding one that covers as most are 6x9cm lenses.

The Fujinon 105/8 SW (old style with inside writing ) and Fujinon 105/8 NSW (outside writing, multicoated) will both cover 5x7 with reasonable movements (250mm good image circle). They can be found online in the $400 range. I have the NSW style and it is an excellent lens, 77mm filters. Not too large and heavy, relatively speaking.

[BryanBirks]

I use a Xenotar 135mm f/3.5 and I have used the Zeiss 135mm as well. They are essentially the same lens and go for around the same price. Some are rather expensive but if you look around they can be had for $400-$700 bucks. You can view my work with it at https://www.bryanbirks.com/

All of the portraits on the homepage were shot with a Xenotar 135mm. I have also used the Xenotar 150mm f/2.8 but opted for the 135mm because of the price and it being a bit wider for landscapes.

[okcomputer]

I use a Xenotar 135mm f/3.5 and I have used the Zeiss 135mm as well. They are essentially the same lens and go for around the same price. Some are rather expensive but if you look around they can be had for $400-$700 bucks. You can view my work with it at https://www.bryanbirks.com/

All of the portraits on the homepage were shot with a Xenotar 135mm. I have also used the Xenotar 150mm f/2.8 but opted for the 135mm because of the price and it being a bit wider for landscapes.

Thanks for that info! (BTW, big fan of your YT videos)

[xkaes]

As mentioned by a couple of respondents, for the same perspective you'll need something like 180mm in 4x5". The faster versions at this focal length are usually about f4.5 -- which will give you the same DOF approximately. Fujinon made three 180mm f4.5 lenses, but they were all BARREL lenses with a 56mm rear thread. The good news is that they are pretty inexpensive. There are probably similar lenses from other manufacturers.

If you want to go wider, the max f-stop will be f5.6 or smaller -- combine this smaller f-stop with a perspective that is wider, and the DOF will not be as narrow.

http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/byfl.htm

[jp]

The 190 optar (tessar lenses) for the graflex SLRs are stunning. You'd need a sinar shutter to use them of course.

https://live.staticflickr.com/8503/8311820995_250e352361_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/dEufNx)
img904 (https://flic.kr/p/dEufNx) by Jason Philbrook (https://www.flickr.com/photos/13759696@N02/), on Flickr

Some Fuji 180mm tessars are options. If you go to 210mm you have tons of options. Trioplan, Fujinar, Xenar, Nikkor etc..

The lens choice is of high importance, but background choice is also important... Distance to background versus distance to subject, texture/uniformity of background, etc...