150mm Lens Question...

[shapirophoto]

Hey Guys,

I'm currently tag teaming between my Fuji 210 (I think it's the "L" not the W...) and an old 50's Kodak 127mm Ektar. I'd really like to get a good solid multi-coated 150mm... Any recommendations? I'd like to sell or trade the fuji I think... I shoot primarily environmental portraits and like to use a "normal" lens. So I'd appreciate any feedback, I hope I've provided enough information, let me know if you need more info to correctly assess the lens I'd get the most use from.

-a

[BradS]

Schneider Symmar
Rodenstock Sironar
Fujinon-w or CM-W
Nikon Nikkor-W

These are the best (for the money). They're all pretty much equal in performance. Try to find one in a modern all black copal shutter that is in excellent condition.

They're selling so cheap right now, there is really no excuse to hold off.


BTW: Both of the lenses youhave, if in good condition are superb performers. The Ektar in particular is one of my absolute favorites...just don't care much for the Supermatic shutter that they always seem to come in.

Good luck.

[Nick_3536]

210mm isn't really much different then a normal lens. Think of it like using a 50mm on 35mm film instead of a 43mm.

[shapirophoto]

210mm isn't really much different then a normal lens. Think of it like using a 50mm on 35mm film instead of a 43mm.

I've actually found a fairly significant difference when in the field. Not to be argumentative just know what I need.

[Vaughn]

A Caltar IIN 150mm/f5.6 would be solid performer and the most bang for your bucks -- it is a Rodenstock APO-Sironar-N re-named and sold by Calumet. (as per this article here at this forum http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenses-primer/ )

Vaughn

[Laurent]

I own a Schneider Apo-symmar 150 which is a beauty. It's multi-coated, and in a Prontor pro, which is like a lot.

[Frank Petronio]

I'd buy based on price and condition, but with a budget of $2-300 you should be able to find a nice 15 year old multi-coated big brand lens in a nice shutter. I like the later mechanical (not electronic) Compur shutters and don't be afraid to watch the German eBay listings, they often have great deals. The Copals may have a faster shutter speed, which may be useful. The Prontors top out at 1/125 which might be a problem if you like to shoot wide open.

The older Linhof selected 150/4.5 Xenars are very nice as well, and their older shutters have circular apertures which will give you nicer bokeh in backlit situations. About $200.

You can save up for a Schneider 150/2.8 Xenotar but they don't have much image circle for movements and sell for around a grand.

For around $450 you can get a Rodenstock Sironar-S (or the Schneider equivalent) in 150mm, which is probably the very best and latest. But the performance difference will likely be impossible to see unless you use extreme movements or have a higher end work flow (big drum scans and large prints.)

[paul08]

The Schneider Symmar-S was also sold by Calumet as the Caltar-S II, and the Rodenstock Sironar-N as the Caltar II-N. The Caltar lenses are identical to the original manufacturer's branded versions, but can often be found less expensively on the used market. Check the stated coverage of the Nikkor -- I think it's a bit less than the Schneider, Rodenstock or Fujinon.

[Bill_1856]

The Kodak 150mm Ektar is a great lens, and with only 6 air/glass surfaces doesn't need multi-coating.

[john borrelli]

There are definitely numerous, excellent, and affordable 150mm lenses out there.

One thing to keep in mind may be the filter size of the lens. The Rodenstock apo sironar(which I own) and Caltar equivalent take 49mm filters, the Nikon 150mm takes 52 mm filters.

[Don Boyd]

My Rodenstock 150mm Sironar-S is my favorite lens - very sharp and lightweight - and not all that expensive (870 at Badgergraphic.com).

[shapirophoto]

Interesting... so the Caltar's are available used? KEH or some other source?

[BradS]

yes. the caltars are definitely available used...isn't everything?

There is, in fact, a very nice 150mm Caltar S-II for sale in the classified of this forum at this very moment. Nice price too....


disclaimer: I have no affiliation with the seller mentioned.

[shapirophoto]

One final question... the Caltars would the close into a Speed Graphic? Thats a deal breaker for me as I don't normally carry a bag with me when I shoot...

-a

[Gem Singer]

Your final question should have been your initial question.

The 6 element 150 plasmats and are too large to fold into a Speed Graphic.

At the present time, KEH has two very nice used 150's listed on their website:

150 f6.3 Fujinon W ---- $172

150 f6.3 Rodenstock Geronar MC--- $189

These are smaller, 3 element lenses and will fold into a Speed Graphic.

[BradS]

The six element Rodenstock 150mm Sironar-N (aka Caltar II-N) fits in a folded Crown Graphic just fine. Seems like it would fit in a speed too.

The Schneider 150mm Symmar-S (aka Caltar S-II) takes a much bigger filter (58mm?) than the Sironar-N (49mm) so, perhaps, it might not fit - but, I've not tried.

The relatively massive 150mm f/5.6 Fujinon-W (55mm filters) does not fit. The front group fits between the rails but it sticks out too far in front of the lens board.

[Really Big Cameras]

Your final question should have been your initial question.

The 6 element 150 plasmats and are too large to fold into a Speed Graphic.

At the present time, KEH has two very nice used 150's listed on their website:

150 f6.3 Fujinon W ---- $172

150 f6.3 Rodenstock Geronar MC--- $189

These are smaller, 3 element lenses and will fold into a Speed Graphic.

Minor correction: The 150mm f6.3 Fujinon W is a 4 element lens. It's a tessar-type (4/3 construction).

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras (http://reallybigcameras.com)

[Gem Singer]

I realized that after I posted. I knew that someone would eventually correct my senior moment.

Glad that it was you Kerry. How's the new business coming along?

[Nick_3536]

.

The relatively massive 150mm f/5.6 Fujinon-W (55mm filters) does not fit. The front group fits between the rails but it sticks out too far in front of the lens board.

55mm filters? Which one is that? NW? :confused: My W is smaller. 49mm?

[BradS]

55mm filters? Which one is that? NW? :confused: My W is smaller. 49mm?


Hmmm...It just says "Fujinon-W". Here's a digi-snap with a 55mm orange filter...

[Gem Singer]

BradS,

I was referring to the older, smaller f6.3 Fujinon 150 W, not the f5.6 Fujinon W or the latest f5.6 CM-W series. Those lenses have larger front elements and won't fold into a Speed Graphic.

You don't often see the f6.3 150 W come up for sale. I was surprised to see one listed on the KEH website. It's an oldie , but goodie. A few years ago,Kerry wrote an article about Fuji lenses, for View Camera magazine, where he highly recommends this lens.

[shapirophoto]

Awesome thanks guys, this is a ton of great info... You are a HUGE help. ;-)

[Kirk Fry]

"You don't often see the f6.3 150 W come up for sale." Damn right you don't, that is because it is clutched in my hands until..... (and everybody else that owns one). The (WS) one on Kerry's table is mine. A 150 mm G-claron will fold into a speeder too along with any number of xenar and zeiss tessars. I would guess a 6 inch dagor would fit too but haven't actually tried it. K

[Eric Woodbury]

I have a Fujinon 150/6.3 for sale. A very nice one. See the FS ads. Price is a bit flexible.

[john borrelli]

If you are looking for a small 150, you might also want to consider a modern 150mm f5.6, schneider Xenar lens. The lens should be less expensive than your typical 150mm plasmat, but they are less common on the used market. Kerry's excellent web site goes into some detail about the lens.

[Nick_3536]

Hmmm...It just says "Fujinon-W". Here's a digi-snap with a 55mm orange filter...


Thats one of the newer ones. CMW?

[Nick_3536]

BradS,

I was referring to the older, smaller f6.3 Fujinon 150 W, not the f5.6 Fujinon W or the latest f5.6 CM-W series.


The W in the seiko is pretty tiny to.

[Gem Singer]

Nick,

Your 150 W in a Seiko shutter, is it an f6.3, or an f5.6?

If it's an f6.3, it's the, smaller 150W lens that I was referring to. The f5.6 150W (and NW) series, although still quite small, are slightly larger than the f6.3.

The latest f5.6 135 CM-W, and f5.6 150 CM-W lenses, use 67mm filters. It seems that Fuji standardized on 67mm screw-in filters. By flaring their front lens barrels out to that size, they have eliminated the need to use step-up rings. However, those lenses are too large to fold into a Speed Graphic camera.

[Nick_3536]

Mine is the 5.6 W. First series with higher coverage.

[Doug Webb]

I have a Fujinon 150 W 5.6 that I would consider trading for your Fujinon 210. If you are interested send me a couple of photos of your 210 and I will send you photos of my 150.
Thanks,
Doug Webb

[BradS]

Thats one of the newer ones. CMW?

No. Mine is older than the CM-W (which take 67mm filters as noted). The one I have seems to date from the mid 1980's or so.

[Steve M Hostetter]

ooook

[Steve M Hostetter]

Good luck finding a cheapo lens at those prices one that works anyway

[paul08]

The 165mm Ilex (coated, in Seiko shutter) that I got off ebay a little more than a year ago for $75 works like a charm: sharp pictures, good color and an accurate shutter.

[Steve M Hostetter]

9 out of 10 don't at least thats been my experiance and I've bought plenty "turd" lenses this 150mm I'm showing is one of them thats why I had to pay 120.00 to get the shutter fixed

[shapirophoto]

Hey guys I ended up with a Fuji 150 f/5.6 W, and! it folds into my SG. Thanks for all your help.