Cost: Nikon Nikkor 90mm f/8

[Darryl Roberts]

Hi,

What should be the maximum I pay for the Nikon Nikkor 90mm f/8?

Thank you

[eric black]

I think if you are patient, $450-500 is the lowest I have seen good condition lenses like that go for.

[Ralph Barker]

For both new and used gear, KEH.com is a good source, and a good resource for pricing info. Often, they are at the high end of the scale for used gear, but have the advantage of having an excellent reputation and are considered very conservative on their ratings. mpex.com is another good source. A search of completed auctions on eBay will give you an idea of what the "current market" is, but lacks reliable condition information.

[BarryS]

The maximum would be whatever KEH is selling the 90mm for these days--maybe around $750. If you can find one in excellent condition in the $500 range--that's a pretty good price. I recently got one and was looking for a while, so I have a good feel for recent pricing.

[Darryl Roberts]

Thank you. I have dealt with Keh.com, I live near them and pick up equipment which is cool (no shipping cost).

[Darryl Roberts]

What about this lens (http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/ProductDetail.aspx?groupsku=LF06009002494N&brandcategoryname=Large%20Format&Mode=searchproducts&item=0&ActivateTOC2=false&ID=&BC=LF&BCC=7&CC=&CCC=2&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=&KW=90mm)?

[BarryS]

Are you looking for a compact field lens? Because that SA is going to be pretty big compared to the Nikon. If I lived near KEH, I'd go over there and have them show me a selection of 90's. I'm sure they can hook you up.

[Darryl Roberts]

KEH will only bring up (from the warehouse) items already purchased, i.e. no showroom.

I'm looking for the first lens for my recently won Cambo 4X5, I want to use it for outdoor architecture.

[verbryck]

The lens you linked from KEH is an older SA f5.6 so it will be only single coated , I think that all Nikon 90/8 are multicoated. Depending on what you are looking to do the lower contrast of the SA may be a hinderance or bonus. If I were you I would think about something a little longer as the 90mm and less are more difficult to use than say a 135mm. When learning large format I think it is easier to start with a easy to focus normal type lens. You may not get the perspective you are looking for with architecture , but FWIW my most used lens for architecture is a SA 75/5.6. Good luck

[Matt Blaze]

If you're willing to pay that much for a used 90mm, you might consider that for not much more you can get a brand new (with warranty, etc) Nikkor 90/4.5. That's a much bigger and heavier lens, and so may not be suitable for your needs, but it's a lot brighter and easier to focus and new ones are available at firesale prices right now from, e.g., B&H.

[Darryl Roberts]

How about this lens (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300195794546&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=020)? Again, for architecture.

Thank you.

[BarryS]

Go for it. The Rodenstock is compact, excellent, and slightly faster than the Nikon. I think it may have a little less coverage, but overall it's a very nice lens.

[Darryl Roberts]

Does the Nikon 90mm 4.5 have as big an image circle as their f/8 (which I constantly read has a great one)?

[sparq]

Your questions were asked many times already, google has therefore many answers for you. i.e. http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00ECG2

I use Fujinon 8/90 on a 5x7 camera and am very happy with it (of course, there are no movements available at all).

[BarryS]

Petr--what a gorgeous shot!

Darryl -- I agree you need to do a little research before you buy. There are many threads spread over different forums that discuss the pros and cons of various 90mm lenses. I was looking for a high quality, but compact 90mm lens and I narrowed it down to the Nikon f/8, the Rodenstock f/6.8, and the Fuji f/8. As it happened, I found a Nikon first, but would have been very happy with the other choices as well.

[Ron Marshall]

Does the Nikon 90mm 4.5 have as big an image circle as their f/8 (which I constantly read has a great one)?

They both have an image circle of 235mm. The difference is weight and ease of focussing due to brightness of the image.

Look here for specs:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenses/LF4x5in.html

[Darryl Roberts]

Would it be wise to get the f/4.5 since I prefer nighttime shooting?

[Darryl Baird]

Darryl,

The math is simple, the equivalent exposure on the f/8 will take three times longer than the 4.5. I used to make exposures in 0.5-3 hour long brackets and I was quite happy to have the Nikkor 4.5. Two Nikkors (4.5 and 8) recently sold on ebay; the 8 is starting to demand (and get) prices near the 4.5 price... largely due to its small, compact and lightweight character.

your other brother, Darryl

[Darryl Roberts]

I went with this lens (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360019198155&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1123), thank you now I need a manual for the Cambo. If you know where I can get one, let me know.

[Darryl Baird]

there is a manual for Cambo cameras at their Holland (home) page, another for part numbers and accessories for the different cameras

parts list is attached, for the manual use this link:
http://www.cambo.com/Html/downloads/Linkedfiles/english/download/Item89/Handbook-SC.pdf

[Darryl Roberts]

Thank you. It took a fellow Darryl.