Schneider Symmar-S 120mm F5.6

[james pogson]

I'm after a 120mm lens for my 4x5 Wista Field camera. I've come across this lens on ebay but can't find much information on the lens. Is this a decent lens?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Schneider-Kreuznach-Symmar-S-120mm-F5-6-lens-shutter_W0QQitemZ320330094855QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Photography_VintagePhotography_VintagePhotoAccessories?hash=item320330094855&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Cheers,
James

[erie patsellis]

http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/vintage_lens_data/large_format_lenses/symmar-s/data/1,5,6-120mm.html

[BrianShaw]

Is this a decent lens?

Yes.

[Oren Grad]

The Symmar-S lenses date from the '70s and '80s; from the style of the lettering and the shutter, the one you pointed to is from the more recent end of that range. They're all "decent lenses"; the main question of usability will probably be whether the fairly tight image circle relative to 4x5 will allow enough movements for your intended uses.

[Kevin Crisp]

Fine lens, the coverage is not huge but I have always found it adequate for landscape work. Maybe an inch of rise when stopped down, that is about it.

[james pogson]

Thank you for all your responses. It was a broad term to ask if this was a "decent" lens, I'll be sure to be more specific next time. I picked up both Schneider lenses the seller had on offer and look forward to using them.

Kind Regards,
James

[cjbroadbent]

Been using two of them for decades. The focal length fits perfectly with the long side of 4x5. Best choice for 4x5 (next best, 135mm).