Want a fast normal lens for 4x5

[Dan Fromm]

Ante up, and remember that as I post this the snipers haven't struck yet.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dallmeyer-Super-Six-Anastigmat-6-F1-9-Lens-Excellent_W0QQitemZ360086761427QQihZ023QQcategoryZ3323QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[IanG]

But does it actually cover 5x4.

These lenses were sold fo a variety of uses including specialist projection lamps.

Ian

[Dan Fromm]

Ian, the VM says it does. And the one I sold some time ago cast a big circle, although to be fair I didn't have a 4x5 camera to try it on.

[venchka]

Somebody liked it $2,000+ worth.

[Walter Calahan]

There's a 152 mm f/2.8 4x5 lens that I see from time to time one eBay, more in the 600-800 dollar range. Forget who made it, but I understand it isn't very sharp at f/2.8.

2K+ too steep for me.

[Frank Petronio]

It would be totally insane to try to hold focus on a living subject with such a lens. You might as well just shoot sharp and throw a Photoshop blur over everything than to waste your time, imho.

[Ash]

I dunno Frank, I wouldn't mind having a custom Razzle with 1,9 or 2,8 aperture ;)

[Frank Petronio]

Before you wish that, tell me how often do you hit focus right on -- at portrait distances, handheld -- with the 110's rangefinder at f/4.7? ;-)

[Dan Fromm]

It would be totally insane to try to hold focus on a living subject with such a lens. You might as well just shoot sharp and throw a Photoshop blur over everything than to waste your time, imho.Frank, that's an interesting but irrelevant objection. Practically speaking, the lens is unusable.

The 6"/1.9 Super Six can be used only on a camera with a focal plane shutter. 4x5 Speed Graphic, for example, but there are others.

The cells won't go into a shutter and anyway there's no fast shutter with a 3" aperture.

I had a reason for buying mine -- it would have been outrageous and then some on my little 2x3 Speed -- but I can't imagine why anyone else would want one. Except, perhaps, for bragging rights.

Cheers,

Dan

[Drew Bedo]

The Xenotars were pretty fast at 2.8. The design and Name were used on several formats from 35mm through medium formats and 4x5...check e-bay, there are a few up for auction now.

[Vlad Soare]

Depth of field may be a problem with the lens wide open, but who says you must shoot wide open? A wider maximum aperture means a brighter image on the ground glass, and that alone is a good reason to long for a fast lens, in my opinion. ;)