Couple questions for the Audience

[Casey]

Hey Group,

I've two questions here, so here they go:

-I recently heard that nikon will not be producing large format lenses any longer. Is this true? Since I'm in the market for a 300mm f/9, where should I look? (note: I contacted The View Camera Store, and they replied that they were out of stock for the above mentioned reasons).

-I shoot deserts scenes (4x5), and am debating the choice between a 120mm Apo-symmar (not the L) and a 135mm Apo-Sironar S. I'm already shooting with a 75mm and a 180mm. I know that they are both great lenses, so I'm most interested in peoples opinions regarding which focal length to choose. However, if you feel there is a significant factor with regards to their performance, please share.

[steve simmons]

Since you already have a 75 and a 180 I would go with the 120-125 length. You might also think about the 110 focal length if you are trying to split the difference. The jump from 75 to 135 will be a big one.

streve simmons

www.viewcamera.com

[Marko]

Hi Casey,

I suggest Badger Graphic (http://www.badgergraphic.com/" target="_blank), they seem to have run out of most all Nikkors, but they also carry Fuji LF lenses and Fuji Compact 300/8.5 is very similar to Nikkor 300/9. Bigger image circle, I think, similar size and price.

Regards,

[Juergen Sattler]

Marko is right! I have the Fuji 300C and it is an amazing little lens. I use it for both my 8x10 and my 4x5 camera. It sits in a Copal 1 shutter and is very, very sharp. As an aside, I bought a small 150 Fujinon lens for use on a folder and that lens is extremely sharp - it beats the 150 Schneider Symmar S that I have easily. Fuji lenses are often overlooked, but they are as good, or even better than the two major players in the market.

[Mike Boden]

I recently picked up a new 300mm f9 Nikkor M from MidWest Photo Exchange (http://www.mpex.com). You might want to call them and talk to Jim to see if they have any left in stock. Their website says they do.

[Marko]

MIke, I'm looking at their website right now and the only two nikkors they have are 90/8 and 150/5.6.

They sold out in a big hurry for sure.

[Marko]

Blah. I'm looking at Badger... sorry. Time to hit the rags.

[Jonathan_6488]

"Since you already have a 75 and a 180 I would go with the 120-125 length. You might also think about the 110 focal length if you are trying to split the difference. The jump from 75 to 135 will be a big one."

streve simmons

I would say - think beyond this even. I know it's a bit early in the game - but try to anticipate what you might want for a lens collection (depends on your experiences, of course!) - but if you get a 90 - then the 120 might be a bit close. The 15mm between a 75 and a 90 is probably the most dramatic or meaningful 15mm jump between any lenses. You might be surprised at how big a change in look that is. Though I have to admit I'm a fan of the 120s. I'm trying to switch over right now from 75/90/150/210 to 75/90/120/180/240/360. Why am I changing? The glass is looking greener on the other side I guess.

[Andre Noble]

You definitely don't want greener glass, though. Stick with your magenta.

[Mike Boden]

Marko,

If you look under "Large Format" and then "8x10/LARGER LENSES", you'll see the 300 f9 Nikkor M listed as new and in stock. At any rate, calling Jim should answer the question rather quickly.

Mike

[paul owen]

Hi. Robert White has the 300mm in stock at £470 GBP + VAT.

[Daniele Minetto]

Taos Photographic (www.taosphotographic.com) has this lens in stock at € 720 HT.

[steve simmons]

75/90/120/180/240/360.

If one can afford it I think this would be a great set of lenses.

steve simmons

[Jack Flesher]

"75/90/120/180/240/360.
If one can afford it I think this would be a great set of lenses. "

I totally agree -- however, if you use them in the field, you have to carry them all ;)

For that reason if one already had the 75, they might want to consider the SSXL 110 as a single-lens replacement instead of the 90/120 pair. Alternatively, the SSXL 80 could replace the 75/90 pair with a single lens. At any rate, since you already own the 75 and 180, then 75/110/180/300 might be a pretty nifty 4-lens set.

If money were no object, my ideal set might look like 55/80/110/150/240/360 -- or even a 450 if you have the bellows. Though admittedly, the 55 and 450 would see very little use, and even the 360 might not see much for my shooting style. In which case maybe an older 16-1/4" like the Red Dot might be a decent alternative to the 360/450 pair: Hmmm... 55/80/110/150/240/410... Not too shabby ;)

Cheers,

[Ted Harris]

Steve's suggestion is a great combo. If I wewre starting from scratch and purchasing all at once I could well go that way. In fact I once had almost exactly that ... 65/90/120 .... but you sell this one buy that one and now I hae 75/110 (the SSXL)/135/150/180 ..... I had a 90mm when I got the 110 and held on to the 90 for 2-3 years after I got the 110 before i decided I wouldn't miss it (much) if it went. That was over a year ago and I have not consciously missed it, in part because the 110 SSXL is such a superb performer.

[CXC]

Plain numbers don't say it all -- it's really hard to tell what lenses are right for your vision until you actually use them. It took a prolonged period of trial and error for me to switch from 65/80/110/180 to 90/159, but I find the latter two lenses more useful than all 4 of the former set.

For me, 80 is too wide, 110 is not wide enough, and 90 is just right. But does my stating that opinion provide others with useful info? Maybe not the exact numbers so much, but the fact that a small difference may still be a crucial one.

[Alan Davenport]

One way to choose would be to aim for a focal length midway between those you already have. But the point halfway between 75mm and 180mm is also equidistant from 120 and 135, so that logic doesn't produce a preference; either would work. If you accept this logic, then you might consider which of your current lenses you use most often, and weight your new selection toward your existing bias.

I think a better approach is to consider the ratios of the focal lengths. For example, a 15mm jump from 75 to 90 makes a big difference, while the jump from 240 to 255 is not very profound. IMO, given your options, 75-120-180 is a more logical set than 75-135-180.

[Eric Rose]

It kills me! The poster asked not to comment on the focal length selection, just the two lenses in question. What does the first poster address? Focal length! In fact you have to go thru 12 to 13 irrelavent posts to finally get something that is even close to the topic.

Just a pet peeve. Rant mode off. Oh, and I realize this post doesn't address the issue either.

[Jack Flesher]

Eric wrote: "It kills me! The poster asked not to comment on the focal length selection, just the two lenses in question."

Huh???

This is what I see the original poster asked: "I know that they are both great lenses, so I'm most interested in peoples opinions regarding which focal length to choose. "

Sure sounds like he was asking for help with FL selection to me...

[Casey]

After consideration to what has been posted (many thanks to all who posted!), I'm going to stay on course with 120mm and 300mm lenses being my next purchases. Also, after having read reviews of various 120mm's out there, I'm considering holding off on the purchase of the apo-symmar in favor of a lens with a larger image circle. I've heard rave reviews of the super symmar HM, and would like to know if any of you have experience with other 120mm's that you would recommend I look into.

Many thanks,

Casey

[Oren Grad]

Casey - You might consider the 120 Apo-Symmar-L, which has a slightly larger image circle than the now-discontinued Apo-Symmar.

[Steve Clark]

Casey,
In your quest for a 300mm, don`t overlook the 300 Apo-Ronar. I sold a 300mm Nikkor in favor of the Rodenstock, as it out performed the Nikkor.

[Robert Skeoch]

Just an up-date on the Nikon 300mm. We all know that Nikon has discountinued their LF lenses. They are also out of stock on most of what they did make. The 300M is no longer available from Nikon although some dealers might have one. I was trying to find one for a customer today but wasn't able to get one from the normal suppliers.

I think the Fuji 300C would be my choice anyway.

-Rob Skeoch
BigCameraWorkshops.com

[Ted Harris]

Those of us who are lucky enough to own one would tell you to search for a Fujinon 3oo A. They have been discontinued for several years and are a bit hard tofind but worth waiting for. If you check the archives here you will find lots of discussion on thsi lens.

[Jeremy Moore]

Adorama has a demo Nikon 300 for ~$475.

http://www.adorama.com/US%20%20%20%20220540.html