My Dream lens kit

[Gary Tarbert]

My dream lens kit is very much formed with weight and performance comprimises
From widest here goes* 58XL,schnieder 80XLschnieder, 110XLschnieder,rodenstock 150 sironar S,*240a fujinon *300c fujinon,*450M nikkor.Lenses with asterix already owned or ordered .
BTW i am not one of those who think you must go all german or all japanese.
Lenses that i own already that may be replaced by the list above are 90mm SA f8
(Linhoff badged) 150mm 6.3 fujinon(although unlikely)I have commented on other threads how much i like this lens.But have also heard. the Sironar S is something special.The one that will be replaced for sure is the symmar s 240 5.6 that i own
due to weight & size considerations.
Comments on my choices from people with more exspertise than i would be appreciated ,remember i backpack so many lenses were chosen with in mind.
Cheers Gary:)

[Tudor Vreme]

Gary, the kit I owned is:
- Schneider 5.6/75 mm - excellent lens, contrast and sharp
- Rodenstock Grandagon N 6.8/90 - mix impression, I shall change it ASAP
- Fujinon SWS 8/120 - excellent lens
- Sinaron G 6.3/150 - sharp, good but is narrow, not much space for moves
- Fujinon W 5.6/210 - the best I have - rich in colors details
- Rodenstock Sironar 5.6/300 - good, the opening is good when you need it.
- Rodenstock Apo Ronar 9/360 - excellent, sharp good contrast
- Rodenstock Apo Ronar 11/480 - excellent, sharp good contrast
all the lenses I use for 4x5 on Sinar F2, but I like to change the 90 a Schneider ( I like them specially in architecture ) and the 150 with a Fujinon W.

So my comments are: 58 is too much and hard to work with, less space for movements, sometime I have problems with my 75, and even so I use the 75 not often. In fact the 120, 150 and 210 are the most used. But it is hard to give an advice, in my country where the landscape is dusty, and the air is not so clean, to have contrast lenses especially on longer focals is a necessity, so the Apo Ronars are a good choice, but in the rest is good to have Fujinons which gives you a rich image in color detail, and no so contrast like Schneiders or Rondenstocks.
I don't recommend you to sell the Fujinon 150. I don't think that Rodenstock will be better. Maybe more contrast and a little bit sharper. Anyway I hope that you find something useful in my opinions.

[Eric James]

My first lens was the Fuji 240 A. This is an great lens for me, not just because of its performance but because of its weight and size. 240mm, however, isn't the best focal length to build this dream kit around because of the awkward spacing between it and the 150. Much depends on what you shoot. I've found myself wanting a 180 or 210 very often. To date I've cropped from the 150mm's image; in the future I hope to reach for a Nikon 200mm M.

On the wide end I have avoided the 80mm because of its price (new) and the number of second-rate used samples. I can't find fault with my Nikon SW 90mm f8 aside from it's relative weight and bulk.

Much of this is just MBC and GAS rearing its ugly head:)

[Ron Marshall]

My original 4x5 kit was 75-110-180-300. I found the 110-180 and 180-300 spacings to be too far, so I replaced the 180 with a 210 and a 150.

I've now been doing LF three years and have finally settled on the focal lengths I prefer; so I am in the process of changing my kit to 90-135-200-300.

[Frank Petronio]

Back in my more mainstream days I started out with a 90-135-210, then added a 65 and 300, just common modern Rodenstocks. I think these are the most popular focal lengths, so they are readily available, less expensive and exotic, and pretty much perfected for general use... After all the manufacturer concentrates on making its biggest sellers the best performers.

Of course you always find more exotic stuff but you can buy excellent examples of each of these lenses for under $500 each... and they would cover 99% of most photographer's needs... so for the cost of two exotics (and a few extra ounces of carry-weight and 67mm filters instead of 58mm...) you could be very well outfitted for about $2000 if you shop carefully.

[Bruce Watson]

My dream lens kit is very much formed with weight and performance compromises. From widest here goes* 58XL schnieder, 80XL schnieder, 110XL schnieder, rodenstock 150 sironar S, *240a fujinon, *300c fujinon, *450M nikkor. Lenses with asterisks already owned or ordered .

BTW I am not one of those who think you must go all German or all Japanese. Lenses that I own already that may be replaced by the list above are 90mm SA f8 (Linhoff badged), 150mm 6.3 fujinon(although unlikely). I have commented on other threads how much i like this lens. But have also heard the Sironar S is something special. The one that will be replaced for sure is the symmar s 240 5.6 that I own due to weight & size considerations.

Comments on my choices from people with more expertise than I would be appreciated. Remember I backpack so many lenses were chosen with in mind.

Cheers Gary:)

Your dream set is what I'm using right now. Pretty much. I don't have the 58mm lens on the short end because I very, very seldom need anything beyond the 80mm. On the long end I use a 14" RD Artar (about 360mm). I find the 300mm too close to the 240mm. I don't have enough belows draw to let me use a 450mm.

So the heart of the lens set, the 80mm SS-XL, 110mm SS-XL, 150mm Sironar S, and 240mm Fujion-A, we share.

This is perfect spacing for the way I work. Angles of View of around 75, 60, 45, and 30 degrees. This 15 degree Angle of View spacing is excellent. I highly recommend it if your workflow lends itself to this spacing.

That said, there seem to be people who like this spacing, and people who like somewhat wider spacing. You can do something similar with a 90mm, 135mm, 240mm spacing for example. Twenty degree spacing. Three lenses instead of four.

It all depends on what makes you comfortable. Because if you aren't comfortable you aren't able to put your full concentration on making your art. Minimizing distractions is a good thing.

[Brian Ellis]

I thought the 80mm SS XL was a great lens, I never had any problems with it and while it was expensive, I thought it was close enough to both a 75mm and a 90mm that it allowed me to get rid of those two lenses. So the cost wasn't too bad plus the weight and space saving was very nice. I was under the impression that only the first run of the 80mm SS XLs had a problem and that Schneider offered to replace those lenses at no cost so there shouldn't be many still around on the used market. But I could be wrong, since my lens was fine I didn't pay too much attention to the problems.

[Gary Tarbert]

Hi , Just thought i would add the thought proccess that went into selecting these lenses, 58xl ,because 20mm often used on 35mm and this length is close, pain the A too use though centre spot filters bag bellows reccessed boards etc.
80 XL compact good focal length for my workflow.
110xl I use pano rollfilm backs saw this as ideal for this and as a slightly wider option instead of 150.
The 150 fujinon i have owned since i first got into LF it is unlikely i would change this lens.
240A the reason i jumped to this instead of 210 is because i shoot a bit of 8x10 as well
and this lens covers 8x10 better.
300C compact light covers 8x10 and is also a good length for 5x4.
The 450mm nikkor is for 8x10 only at this stage as i don't have enough bellows draw for it on 5x4.
The other very important issue is standardising on filter sizes this kit are either 67 or 52 with the exception of the fuji 150 also my centre spot filter is usable on the 58,80&110.
So in summary if anyone could suggest a 210 that is light covers 8x10 with no more than 67mm filter size then i would be interested.Cheers Gary

[Captain_joe6]

I've got a fairly eccletic list, which is comprised of the following:

My first, and so far only, 8x10 lens is a 12/21/28 Turner Reich triple convertible. Love that lens.

Someday to my stable I would like to add a new Cooke XVa triple, a 14" Graf Variable, a 480mm f/9 Nikkor, and a couple of wide-angles, probably a Wollensak 159mm ex-WA, and something by Fuji, like a 210-SW or whatever it would be in that neighborhood. No need to standardize on filter screw sizes, I've got a compendium shade for my Calumet C1 that holds 3x3 square filters.

That's my dream.

[Sheldon N]

I pretty much own my dream lens kit already... 5 lenses, fits into a single Gnass 4 lens case.

Nikkor 90mm f/8 SW
Schneider APO-Symmar L 120mm f/5.6
Rodenstock APO Sironar-S 150mm f/5.6
Fujinon 240mm A f/9 EBC
Nikkor-M 300mm f/9

More of a focus on light weight, plus I don't really "see" in ultrawide.

[David Karp]

For 4x5
My dream kit:
75mm f/4.5 Grandagon N
90mm f/4.5 Grandagon N (for architecture)
90mm f/8 Nikkor SW for backpacking
120mm modern multicoated well-made and quality controlled Angulon-equivalent :)
150mm Rodenstock APO-Sironar-S
200mm f/8 Nikkor M or maybe a
240mm f/9 Fujinon A or maybe a
300mm f/9 Nikkor M or 300mm f/8.5 Fujinon C or 300mm f/9 APO Ronar - depending on the choice between the above two lenses
450mm f/12.5 Fujinon C

My realized kit:
75mm f/4.5 Grandagon N
90mm f/4.5 Grandagon N (for architecture)
90mm f/8 Fujinon SW (single coated-for backpacking)
125mm f/5.6 Fujinon NW
150mm f/5.6 Fujinon NW
210mm f/6.1 Caltar Pro (Xenar) - backpacking
210mm f/6.8 Caltar II-E (Geronar - lives on my Crown full time)
210mm f/5.6 Caltar II-N (could not resist - use close to home or car and short lens for whole plate
300mm f/9 Nikkor M
450mm f/12.5 Fujinon C

All are used but the Caltar II-E, my first lens, and collected over time. The really expensive lenses were the two longest. The 75 and 90 Grandagon Ns were good deals in Sinar DB shutters and remounted in Nikon Copals. Careful shopping can lead you to really good deals. :D

If I had it to do over, I might have skipped the 210s for a 240 Fujinon, but, what the heck, I like 210s for some reason. I am happy with these lenses, so I don't expect to go hunting for a 150mm APO-Sironar-S, or Nikkor SW. Well, maybe the Nikkor SW. Or perhaps the 240mm Fuji. Doesn't everyone have a 90mm, 125mm, 150mm, 210mm, 240mm, 300mm kit?

Oh yeah, I forgot about my 180mm single coated Fuji W that I use on my whole plate camera. That's it, really. Uh, oh yeah, the two 135mm lenses with bad shutters that came with my Crown. Now that's it. For sure. :eek:

[Gary Tarbert]

I pretty much own my dream lens kit already... 5 lenses, fits into a single Gnass 4 lens case.

Nikkor 90mm f/8 SW
Schneider APO-Symmar L 120mm f/5.6
Rodenstock APO Sironar-S 150mm f/5.6
Fujinon 240mm A f/9 EBC
Nikkor-M 300mm f/9

More of a focus on light weight, plus I don't really "see" in ultrawide.

You know Sheldon i am inclined too agree with you on ultra wides I included the 58XL on my list because i already own it , If i didn't already have it and knowing what i now know about what a pain ultrawides are to use it would not be on a wish list.
I reach for it only on very few occasions.
And i find myself using the lenses that are within the ranges of your current kit a lot more often.Cheers Gary

[Armin Seeholzer]

My dream is:
47mm XL
55mm Grandagon
72mm Schneider XL still missing
75mm Nikkor f4.5
90mm Nikkor f4.5
110mm XL still missing
120 mm APO Macro Sironar
135mm Sironar N
210mm APO Symmar
240mm G-Glaron
250mm Imagon
250mm Tessar f 3.5
300 Tessar 4.5
300mm APO Ronar
360mm Universal Heliar
360mm Sironar N
360mm APO Ronar
480mm APO Ronar
610mm APO Nikkor

I'm almost complet and do not listen the ones from the Jim Galli syndrom!

[Wilbur Wong]

[QUOTE=Frank Petronio;290858 Back in my more mainstream days I started out with a 90-135-210, then added a 65 and 300, just common modern Rodenstocks. I think these are the most popular focal lengths, so they are readily available, less expensive and exotic, and pretty much perfected for general use... After all the manufacturer concentrates on making its biggest sellers the best performers.
/QUOTE]

Ditto, my set is 65 f/4, 90 f4.5, 135 f/5.6, 210 f/5.6, 300M f/9. I acquired them in the same order as Frank did. Mine are all modern Nikkors. I recently added a Nikkor 500T f/11. Note that each of these are about 50% longer in focal length than the next (which is why the 135 although I know that the 150 has a larger image circle.)

I will eventually replace the 90 with an f/8 and the 210 with a 200M f/8, if I can justify the funds to shave about a pound off of my kit.

[Ole Tjugen]

I wouldn't mind another ultrawide, but apart from that I have all I need.

4x5": 65, 90, 120, 135, 150, 180, 210, 240, 300, 355
5x7": 90, 121, 150, 165, 180, 210, 240, 300, 355/360, 480
8x10": 121, 165, 210, 240, 300, 355/360, 480, 640

If that isn't enough I have a casket set which goes from 100mm to 750mm...

[Struan Gray]

I wouldn't mind another ultrawide...

This, I think, is probably an Aviogon clone:

http://cgi.ebay.fr/OBJECTIF-S-F-O-M-PHOTOGRAPHIE-AERIENNE_W0QQitemZ120182027700QQihZ002QQcategoryZ100746QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It might not cover 30x40, but it would work on the dinky little cameras :-)

[Armin Seeholzer]

My dream is:
47mm XL
55mm Grandagon
72mm Schneider XL still missing
75mm Nikkor f4.5
90mm Nikkor f4.5
110mm XL still missing
120 mm APO Macro Sironar
135mm Sironar N
155 Grandagon
210mm APO Symmar
240mm G-Glaron
250mm Imagon
250mm Tessar f 3.5
300 Tessar 4.5
300mm APO Ronar
360mm Universal Heliar
360mm Sironar N
360mm APO Ronar
480mm APO Ronar
610mm APO Nikkor

I'm almost complet and do not listen the ones from the Jim Galli syndrom!

[Peter K]

Hi Armin!

Is your second dream kit for taking stereo pictures?

Peter K

[Kirk Gittings]

While you probably can't own too many lenses, I do think you can carry to many lenses. There is a kind of discipline that comes from using a few lenses, from limiting your choices. That may sound odd to some. For instance when I used to fly around for Architecture Magazine, I only brought two lenses, a 90 and 210 on a Tachihara. They did the job and allowed me to travel light and concentrate on the architecture.

I currently own the most lenses I have ever owned, but each is part of a kit for various applications. All are modern Schneiders, Nikons or Fujinons. My all time favorite lens for 4x5 is the Nikon 120 SW.

47, 65, 90, 150, 210 for 6x9 commercial architecture.

65, 90, 120, 150, 210 305 for 4x5 commercial architecture.

120, 150, 210, 305, 450 for my 4x5 field/fine art kit. I don't like wider lenses for my art work, lenses that scream I WAS SHOT WITH A VERY WIDE ANGLE LENS which IMO interferes with the transparency of the artist.

[JPlomley]

My wife and I travel together, so we are able to carry more lenses than one person alone could do. So our arsenal is as follows:

All Rodenstock:

55 APO Grandagon
75/4.5 Grandagon N
90/4.5 Grandagon N
135/5.6 APO Sironar-S
210/5.6 APO Sironar-S
300/5.6 APO Sironar-S

Nikkor:

120 Macro ED AM

All shot on an Arca Swiss 4x5 F-Field camera. Best performers? They are all outstanding. I have yet to get a "dog" lens from the modern Rodenstocks. If I were forced to pick a "winner", it would be the 300/5.6 APO Sironar-S. You could cut yourself on this puppy, the images are that tack sharp. But again, my wife and I work as a team. If I were backpacking this stuff on my own, I would opt for a lighter/slower 300mm and consider getting rid of the 90 and 135 and replacing it with a 110 XL. A 75/110/210/300 would meet most of my needs.

[Herb Cunningham]

Dunno about dreams, have way more lenses than I use.

I think as Kirk said, it depends on your neighborhood. I shoot 90mm or 110 in the woods, have a 65, but too wide for most.

In the open flat lands of eastern NC, longer works better, 150 min, up to 455.

I tend to fixate on one shot until I get it right, have a drawer full of negative of one scene, so the right lens shows up eventually.

I have a Nikkon process 270 f9 for 8x10 that is pretty impressive, and a Nikkon 455 f9 process lens-both take the 4x4 inch lee setup or no filter.

4x5, stay with stuff that fits a 67mm filter or smaller. 110 XL is the current favorite.

Bound to change with a new subject.
(seem to remember something about the eye of the beholder?)

[CG]

I wouldn't mind another ultrawide, but apart from that I have all I need.

4x5": 65, 90, 120, 135, 150, 180, 210, 240, 300, 355
5x7": 90, 121, 150, 165, 180, 210, 240, 300, 355/360, 480
8x10": 121, 165, 210, 240, 300, 355/360, 480, 640

If that isn't enough I have a casket set which goes from 100mm to 750mm...

Ya'll scaring me.

C

[John Kasaian]

My dream lens? It would have to be brass, but wieghs in like aluminium, fits into a #2 Supermatic, covers 12x20 with lots of wiggle room and performs like an APO Artar AND a Verito, focal length would have be adjustable from 75mm to 30 inches (depending on which camera I put it on) and its got to be made by Darlot. Oh yeah its got to fit on a Graphic "C" board, be small enough to fit inside the 'dorff when folded and I'll have bought it on eBay with the flange for $40! :)

[Doug Meek]

My dream lens kit is very much formed with weight and performance comprimises
From widest here goes* 58XL,schnieder 80XLschnieder, 110XLschnieder,rodenstock 150 sironar S,*240a fujinon *300c fujinon,*450M nikkor.Lenses with asterix already owned or ordered .
BTW i am not one of those who think you must go all german or all japanese.
Lenses that i own already that may be replaced by the list above are 90mm SA f8
(Linhoff badged) 150mm 6.3 fujinon(although unlikely)I have commented on other threads how much i like this lens.But have also heard. the Sironar S is something special.The one that will be replaced for sure is the symmar s 240 5.6 that i own
due to weight & size considerations.
Comments on my choices from people with more exspertise than i would be appreciated ,remember i backpack so many lenses were chosen with in mind.
Cheers Gary:)

My kit is almost identical to yours, except that I have the Nikkor 360/500t on the long end (instead of your Fuji 450), and I also have a Fuji 180 between my Fuji 240 and Rodenstock 150-s. The gap between 150 and 240 is a little too much for me, and I HATE cropping! I shoot LF for the exquisite detail, and I hate giving up some of it due to cropping. I too do a lot of backpacking, and these lenses are light enough for me to take deep into the backcountry.

Doug

[Ole Tjugen]

Ya'll scaring me.

C

The total cost of my lens kit would be enough to buy two, maybe three new lenses. Most of them are over 40 years old, two of my "regular users" are over 100!

[Brian K]

I have a pretty good selection of lenses and cater my location kit on the type of environment I'll be shooting in and how I'll be getting there.

65mm Grandagon
80mm Supper-Symmar XL
90mm Grandagon
115mm Grandagon
120mm APO Symmar L
120mm Sironar-N
135mm Sironar-S
150mm Sironar-S
180mm Sironar-S
180mm Sironar-N
180mm Macro Sironar
200mm Nikkor M
210mm Sironar-S
240mm APO Ronar
240mm Fujinon A
250mm Imagon
270mm Tele Nikkor ( I have 2)
300mm APO Ronar
300mm Macro Sironar
360mm Tele Nikkor ( I have 2)
360mm Sironar-S
360mm APO Ronar
400mm Osaka
480mm APO Ronar
500mm Osaka
500 Nikkor rear element
720mm Nikkor rear element

[Gary Tarbert]

p
I have a pretty good selection of lenses and cater my location kit on the type of environment I'll be shooting in and how I'll be getting there.

65mm Grandagon
80mm Supper-Symmar XL
90mm Grandagon
115mm Grandagon
120mm APO Symmar L
120mm Sironar-N
135mm Sironar-S
150mm Sironar-S
180mm Sironar-S
180mm Sironar-N
180mm Macro Sironar
200mm Nikkor M
210mm Sironar-S
240mm APO Ronar
240mm Fujinon A
250mm Imagon
270mm Tele Nikkor ( I have 2)
300mm APO Ronar
300mm Macro Sironar
360mm Tele Nikkor ( I have 2)
360mm Sironar-S
360mm APO Ronar
400mm Osaka
480mm APO Ronar
500mm Osaka
500 Nikkor rear element
720mm Nikkor rear elementNow Brian i think your just showing off:)
I am glad you don't carry them all in the same backpack.
I left one off my collection but due too price it is a bit of a pipe dream thats the Schnieder 210 super symmar 5.6XL and it is a little on the heavy side for my criteria
But it covers a mile and has superb image quality!!.cheers Gary

[JPlomley]

Brian, I'd be interested in feedback on your 180mm Macro Sironar.

[Armin Seeholzer]

Hi Peter

I had to correct something but it did work as a second post!

You are also on the german GF Forum I just realised!
See you there,Armin

[Bill_1856]

For 4x5 = 120mm Dagor, 6" Dagor, and 8.25" Dagor (all coated). What else could I possibly need?

[Brian K]

pNow Brian i think your just showing off:)
I am glad you don't carry them all in the same backpack.
I left one off my collection but due too price it is a bit of a pipe dream thats the Schnieder 210 super symmar 5.6XL and it is a little on the heavy side for my criteria
But it covers a mile and has superb image quality!!.cheers Gary

Gary I just feel fortunate that I mostly shoot 4x5 and 6x12cm and don't have to carry the bigger lenses. As for showing off it's more about letting people know what lenses I might have a opinion about that might be of benefit to them. Which brings me to;

JP, the 180mm Macro sironar is a great macro lens, however head to head against a 180 Sironar-S it did not perfrom well at infinity so I would not recommend it as a landscape lens.

[gary mulder]

In my dreams my case of lenses follows me, 2 feet behind me, suspended magically 4 feet from the ground. But more realistically most of the time I take 3 - 4 most used with me.

[Laszlo]

75-90-135-240

The 75 and 90 are Caltar N f/6.8
The 135 is Rod Apo Sironar S
The 240 is the Dokter Germinar

[JPlomley]

Thanks Brian. The 180 would strictly be for macro applications. It is an asymmetrical design akin to the Rodie 120 makro?

[Brian K]

JP it seems to be a plasmat design, the rear elements being smaller than the front.

[Uri Kolet]

What, am I the only one using a Schneider SA 72mm XL, or have I spent too long at high altitudes low on oxygen? Just returned from a two-week trip (my first) to Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef, Cathedral Valley, and both Antelope Canyons; 91 sheets of 4x5 & 45-35mm rolls later... Also had my first taste of "Polygamy Porter" in Utah!

[gary mulder]

I do use a 72mm XL sometimes. But since I aquired a 80mm XL it stays at home most of the time.
http://www.xs4all.nl/~hamses/nederland/mediafiles/l1.jpg

[Gary Tarbert]

What, am I the only one using a Schneider SA 72mm XL, or have I spent too long at high altitudes low on oxygen? Just returned from a two-week trip (my first) to Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef, Cathedral Valley, and both Antelope Canyons; 91 sheets of 4x5 & 45-35mm rolls later... Also had my first taste of "Polygamy Porter" in Utah!The 72mmXL Schneider is a superb lens ,but for backpackers is considered too bulky & heavy plus it also requires a polarizer the size of a small dinner plate by the time you add the centre spot filter.cheers Gary

[JPlomley]

I prefer the Rodenstock 75mm Grandagon-N. Nice and light, can take 77mm filters with a 67/77 SUR (without vignetting) or the Lee system with the wide angle adapter and up to two filter slots, and best of all, it stops down past f/32 (which the 80XL does not) and does not require a CF (which the 80XL does). Even with the 75mm, when I have immediate foreground elements which require vertical depth (as a result of tilt), I have found a focus spread of 3-4mm is required (e.g. huge foreground boulders, or plants). That means stopping past f/32. Yeah, I know diffraction kicks in, but looking at the chromes it sure is difficult to see the negative impact with this optic. I considered the 72XL, but I'm already hauling around a 300/5.6 APO Sironar-S. One tank of a lens is enough!

[Armin Seeholzer]

Hi Armin!

Is your second dream kit for taking stereo pictures?

Peter K
Hallo Peter no it was a mistake I had some troubles with my browser at the time!

Cheers Armin