Fuji 135mm info?

[Ed Richards]

I just got a Fuji 135mm from KEH. It is marked W, not CM/W, and has a 52mm filter, not the 67. From what I can find, it is an older version, and it is reported to have a larger image circle by maybe 10mm. It does not say EBC, but looks like a multicoated lens (lots of colors in the reflection). I had expected the new version, but before I decide whether I send it back, I am curious if there is any advantage this older lens. If weight matter, it is smaller and lighter. It is in a press shutter, which having used for the first time today seems a great improvement - no more forgetting to stop down!!!

[Gary Smith]

These lenses are multicoated, though they are not marked at such. A Fuji Japan rep told me a few months ago that Fuji didnt clearly label alot of early multicoated lens as such. It is not always true, but a general rule with Fujinon lenses is if the lenses are labeled on the outside of the barrel they are multicoated, and those with writing on the inside edge are single coated.

Hope it helps.

Gary

[David Karp]

Hi Ed,

I think you will be very happy with this lens. I have the lenses on either side of it -- The 125mm and 150mm. In my opinion they are just excellent lenses.

The lens you own sounds like it is from the NW series. The problem is that it is marked W and might be confused when talking or writing about the lens with the older W series that was single coated. The facts that yours uses 52mm filters, shows multiple colors when you look at the coating, and has lettering is on the outside of the barrel indicates that you have a lens from the NW series (like mine).

Here is a good site with specs on Fujinon lenses: http://members.aol.com/subgallery/ - This site lists specs on all series of Fujinon lenses. This site says your lens has an image circle of 206mm. This is larger than the 135mm versions of the Rodenstock APO-Sironar-S and APO-Sironar-N, Nikon Nikkor W, and Schneider APO-Symmar. The current Fujinon CM-W has an image circle of 214mm. See http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenses/LF4x5in.html.

Another good site is at http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat - Kerry Thalmann's site has good information about Fujinon lenses in general. Even better than his site is his article "Fujinon Lenses: Past and Present" in the November/December 2001 issue of View Camera.

Here is what Christopher Perez says about your lens: "This lens has the quality of German lenses. F/11 and f/16 performance is good. F/22 performs right at diffraction limits." http://www.hevanet.com/cperez/kit.html.

I hope you enjoy using your Fujinon lens as much as I enjoy using mine.

[Ed Richards]

Thanks David! Those are useful resources. I have some longer Fuji lenses and they are great.

[Michael Graves]

Apparently Fuji had different ways of labeling their lenses, depending on when it was released and what the target market was. I'm a big fan of Fuji lense. My 210 and 300 get more use than any other lens because they both cover up to 8x10. I've also got a 150 6.8 Fujinar. It looks, smells, feels and tastes like a 150 6.8 Fujinon. (At least the barrel does. I haven't licked the glass yet). After doing some research on the web, I've come to the conclusion that it's an older model of the Fujinon.

Don't care. It's sharp and it covers 5x7 with a little room for movements, although not much. And it's so TINY!!

[Ted Harris]

David, I believe the image circle of the Apo Sironar-S is 208mm making it a teeeny bit larger than that od the Fujinon in question .... not enough to matter in must circumstances though.

[David Karp]

I believe the image circle of the Apo Sironar-S is 208mm . . .

Ted,

You are right. I am not sure how I missed that one! Thanks for the correction. I hate making dumb mistakes. Sort of like pulling the darkslide with the preview lever open.