Any surveys of 240s on 8x10 out there?

[Jim Rice]

It's going to be a while before I start looking for one, so i figure the Ebay price bump from this enquiry will be over by the time I get to it. :p I'm seriously pondering 240 as my wide for 8x10. My 90 seemed a little short to me on 4x5 and I'm heeding advice on here that one wants to be a little more moderate with the outrageous new format. I am aware of the g-claron which seems to be the leading canidate. I've also been tempted by a Sironar-N, but I'm worried about coverage with movements (multi-coating would be a nice touch). The Kowa-graphics/Computars/et al are tempting, too......as is the WF Ektar. Any insights?

[John Powers]

There is another thing adding to popularity of the G Claron. A friend who shoots both 8x10 and 5x7 says he likes the 240mm G Claron on his 5x7 very much.

John

[John Kasaian]

Jim,

I use a 240 G Claron and a 250 WF Ektar on my 8x10 and I love 'em both.

The 250 WF is a big lens (Universal #5---which requires a 'long throw' cable release) with acres of coverage, opens up to f/6.3 for low light focusing and requires either a huge, hard to find slip on adapter for filters or I use a Lee rubber band thingy and polyester filters. It is single coated. It also often benefits from a sun shade of some sort (I use my hat) It is a wonderful lens though---very contrasty but gives nice creamy tones. I like it.

The 240 G Is a little lens and folds up in the 'dorff with the lensboard reversed. It is bright even at f9 when focusing. I think its optimal at f/32 for taking. Lots of coverage at that f-stop. It uses screw on filters from my 35mm SLR kit. It is single coated and in a #1 Copal.It is very contrasty and sharp---dangerously sharp ;)

Either one would be a fine choice---or get both!

[Brian Vuillemenot]

And don't forget about the Fujinon A 240

[Capocheny]

I just got my 240 G-Claron not very long ago and it replaced a Nikkor 240 f5.6 for field shooting. The Nikkor sits in a Copal 3 and, as John mentioned, the G-Claron happily resides in a Copal 1. Big difference in weight between the two lenses!

The 240 G-Claron on 8x10 is great... as nice and even nicer on 5x7! :)

FWIW, my vote goes to the G-Claron. I'm not familiar with the 250 WF so I won't comment on it. But, you surely can not go wrong with John's advice.

Buy both! :)

Cheers

[Jim Rice]

When I hit the powerball it will be cool lenses for everyone. :D I always suspected the G was the way to go.

[Jim Galli]

Jim, have an excellent 240G if you're ready now. $395. OR a Goerz Dagor uncoated in Alphax for same $$ The Dagor covers more and has a time honored look for 810 contacts but in truth it really is neither as sharp or as contrasty as the G-Claron.

[Christopher Perez]

GClarons are really amazing. The one I picked up from Ray Bidegain is just as sharp and nearly as contrasty as my 240 Germinar W f/9. So here's my list of favorites in 240 on 8x10:

- 240 Schneider Symmar Convertible f/5.6 in #2 Compur (sharp, contrasty, and bright on the gg)
- 240 Docter Optic Germinar W f/9 (multi-coated wonder optic!)
- 240 Schneider GClaron f/9 (a little dark on the gg, even in full sun)

I had a 250 Kodak Wide Field Ektar. If you can handle the size, they are truely wonderful.

[Eric Leppanen]

I've been very happy with my 240 Germinar W. Essentially a multi-coated G-Claron, it is a relatively lightweight (Copal 1) lens with very good coverage when stopped down.

My Fuji 240A is arguably the sharpest lens I have ever owned, but its coverage is limited on 8x10 (no more than an inch or so of rise/fall, or very limited front tilt). It is better suited for 4x5 or 5x7.

[Jon Wilson]

Besides the other 240mm lens recommended, I really like my 240mm Graphic Kowa in a Copal 3s shutter. Sharp and lots of coverage. Another alternative to consider, 250mm Fujinon f6.7

[Walter Calahan]

I use a Nikkor 240 mm a lot.

Many of my 8x10 pictures where taken with the Nikkor 240. See my gallery: http://www.walterpcalahan.com/Cheers/Carroll%20County.html

All the people pictures where shot with the 240. Also images #3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 15, & 17.

I simply like the social distance of that lens for my way of seeing.

[Scott Davis]

I'll put in another vote for the Fujinon 250 F6.7 . It makes for a modest compromise between a monster like the Nikkor, Sironar or Kodak WF Ektar and the G-Claron or Germinar. I have the Nikkor 240 which I use on my 8x10, and I recently got a Fuji 250 to use with my 5x7. The Fuji is in a Copal 1 equivalent - I think it is actually a Seiko. It takes 67mm filters, and supposedly has a larger image circle than even the Nikkor 240, by 20 or 30 mm in diameter. The Fuji is only available used. Jim Andracki at Midwest Photo gets them in from time to time.

[Nick_3536]

If you don't mind a little wider the older Fuji W 210mm. Faster then the G-claron. Same #1 shutter.

[Amund BLix Aaeng]

Another vote for the 250mm f/6.7 Fujinon. It`s in a regular Copal 1 mostly, like mine..

[Donald Brewster]

I use and like the 10" WF Ektar -- even covers 11x14 so all the movement you could want for 8x10 -- but as has been noted it runs a bit large. G-Claron, Dagor, Fujinon A, Sironar, etc. all good too.

[Jim Rice]

Thanks, folks. Jim, when I'm ready to buy you'll be the first to know (I have vowed to at least make an exposure with the 360 before i buy a second lens. The film will be here Monday. *big goofy grin*) and very nice work Walter.

[Walter Calahan]

Thanks for the compliment Jim.

I'm sure the other lenses mentioned here would work just a fine.

[Death Valley Phil]

I have a G.D Dagor in this FL, it's small and light with plenty of movement, up to 7x17. Sharp as a tack!.....Phil.

[Michael Graves]

I picked up a 10" Apo Artar dirt cheap and paid to have the shutter cleaned. It was a good investment. It's every bit as sharp as my 300mm Fujinon, albeit with far less coverage.

[archivue]

if price is no object... the winner is tha apo sironar S 240... considering weight i would say not too much considering all the stuff you have to carry anyway... quality is there !

[Don Hutton]

I've used many 240s - my favorite list for 8x10 would look like this in order of preference:
1. 240mm Docter Germinar W - outstanding, sharp, contrasty and tiny with quite a bit of room for movement.
2. Sironar S - no real advantage over the Germinar except you can buy one!
3. Computar 240 - sharp contrasty and huge coverage

[Chris Strobel]

240 G-Claron on 8x10 here

[Jack Flesher]

~~SNIP~~
- 240 Schneider Symmar Convertible f/5.6 in #2 Compur (sharp, contrasty, and bright on the gg)


Okay Chris -- tell us about geting that lens in a #2 Compur!

[tim atherton]

me too - on the Fuji 250 6.7 in regular Copal 1 - lovely lens with a very nice "look/feel" to the images. Generally a not too bad price either if you hunt around.

[Rob Vinnedge]

I have a 240 Linhof Select Schneider Symmar S in a Compur 3 that has noticeably better resolution at all f-stops than my Fuji 240 A. Coverage is similar for both, and of course, the Fuji A is much smaller and lighter. I still seem to use the Schneider more often because of the sharpness.

[Ole Tjugen]

Okay Chris -- tell us about geting that lens in a #2 Compur!

That's the lens I use too - a Schneider Symmar 240mm f:5.6 in a #2 Compur. That's the shutter it came in. Incidentally it's the same shutter as on the 165mm f:6.8 Angulon which I also use on 8x10".

[Christopher Perez]

Several of Schnieder's lenses came mounted in a #2 Compur. While somewhat rate, they are not exactly uncommon. In fact, the lens Ole suggested and the 240 Symmer Convertible from the 1950's and early '60's can be found in the intermediate sized Compur.

It's a real giggle! I smile every time I see that 240 Symmar.

Of course, if the shutter ever broke I'm not sure how I'd ever get it fixed... :)


Okay Chris -- tell us about geting that lens in a #2 Compur!

[Rory_5244]

Fujinon 240A.

[Ole Tjugen]

Of course, if the shutter ever broke I'm not sure how I'd ever get it fixed... :)

I just got a spare I found on ebay - some traces of use, but the aperture scale is blank. So I'm set for the day when one of my 3 #2's (the third one is on a 180mm f:4.5 Xenar) breaks!

[Steve Hamley]

Okay Chris -- tell us about geting that lens in a #2 Compur!

Jack,

Many of the older 240 convertible symmars came in Compur #2 shutters.

Steve

[Jim Galli]

Ole, check the 180 4.5 Xenar shutter throat. Think you'll find there are different sizes of #2 Compur to add to the confusion. 240 being about 44mm iirc and the 180 being more like 50mm.

[Steve Hamley]

Jim and Ole,

I just bought a 180mm f:4.5 Xenar for a good price that was described as having some glass defects with the idea of shoe-horning a superb 360 Kowa Graphic into it. Lo and behold, the glass is almost flawless (although the seller neglected to mention - or show - that the cable release socket was broken). Otherwise it looked near-new. Now I have old lens buyer's remorse about whether to cannabalize the shutter.

The 180mm Xenar is 10 grams heavier than a 180mm Apo-Sironar-S though.

Steve

[Ole Tjugen]

Ole, check the 180 4.5 Xenar shutter throat. Think you'll find there are different sizes of #2 Compur to add to the confusion. 240 being about 44mm iirc and the 180 being more like 50mm.

That's correct - the 180 Xenar is in a II-6, the 240 Symmar (and 165 Angulon) in II-5. Or - at least the latest versions were; my 180mm Xenar is in a dial-set Compur which happens to have the same threads as the later II-5. Shutter sizes are confusing enough - bringing dial-set special sizes into the question is just too much. ;)

[Hugo Zhang]

I have a 9 1/2" GD Dagor. It produced one of my favorite pictures.

[Rory_5244]

Great shot, Hugo.

[Christopher Perez]

Which goes some ways to showing that it's seldom the lens and more often the photographer that "makes" an image.


I have a 9 1/2" GD Dagor. It produced one of my favorite pictures.