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View Full Version : Which 210mm Lens for 4x10 or 5x12 ??



Mike1234
30-Sep-2009, 16:59
I'm in a bit of a quandry regarding which 210mm lens to buy for my soon-to-be-purchased pano cam. I'm not yet certain whether to buy a modern 4x10 or a vintage 5x12. The reason for the age difference between formats is because I can't afford a modern 5x12 although I'd really like to shoot that format and I can afford a modern (used) 4x10.

I just bought a very nice 210mm G-Claron and have inquired about a nice Apo Sironar-N. I'm also considering a Apo Symmar (non-L). While size/weight are issues to consider because I don't get around as well as I once did the most important factor is sharpness to the corners with just a little wiggle room. I'll be shooting landscapes mostly.

Given the above crieria I think the G-Claron is the obvious choice for 4x10. My concern is that it won't quite do the job on 5x12 whereas the other two will. The Rodenstock is appealing due to it's greater coverage than the G-Claron but it's smaller/lighter than the Apo Symmar. However, the Apo Symmar is... well is a legendary performer... and it's a brand match to all lenses shorter than 300mm.

I know I'm picking nits but I'd sort of like to keep the same brand names and introducing an odd brand (Rodenstock) in the middle just bothers me... I know I'm a spoiled idiot but I can't help that. However, the cost vs. weight/size of the Apo Sironar-N is a true winner against an Apo Symmar.

Someboby attempt to talk some sense into this weak-minded fool, PLEASE!! :eek:

Lens list:
72mm SA XL (5x10 or smaller)
110mm SS XL
150mm SS XL
210mm G-Claron?? or Apo Sironar-N?? or Apo Symmar??
300mm Fujinon-C
450mm Fujinon-C
600mm Fujinon-C

Jim Becia
30-Sep-2009, 17:37
Mike,

I can only tell you what lenses that I use with my 4x10 and that work for me. Starting with the widest and going up:

Schneider 110XL
Graphic-Kowa 150
For the 210 I have a couple - a Rodenstock 210 N and a Graphic Kowa 210. I grab the Graphic Kowa if I now I'm going to need some extreme movements, otherwise I grab the Rodenstock as it's easier to focus.
Fuji 240A
Nikkor 300M
Fuji 450C

I haven't had any problems with coverage with this set on my 4x10. Jim

Jim Galli
30-Sep-2009, 18:10
The 210 G-Claron will cover 82 degrees stopped down. It will cover your 512 as well as your 410 and you'll be tickled with the performance. Schneider's web page was written for photoreproduction folks with different criteria than ours for general photography.

Mike1234
30-Sep-2009, 18:20
Mike,

I can only tell you what lenses that I use with my 4x10 and that work for me. Starting with the widest and going up:

Schneider 110XL
Graphic-Kowa 150
For the 210 I have a couple - a Rodenstock 210 N and a Graphic Kowa 210. I grab the Graphic Kowa if I now I'm going to need some extreme movements, otherwise I grab the Rodenstock as it's easier to focus.
Fuji 240A
Nikkor 300M
Fuji 450C

I haven't had any problems with coverage with this set on my 4x10. Jim

Thank you, Jim B. I've read many threads about the Graphic Kowas... nice optics!!


The 210 G-Claron will cover 82 degrees stopped down. It will cover your 512 as well as your 410 and you'll be tickled with the performance. Schneider's web page was written for photoreproduction folks with different criteria than ours for general photography.

Hey Jim G... now that is great news!! :) The G-Claron I just bought is a tiny beauty considering it can cover 5x12 and I'm hoping it performs as well as it looks. Together with the 150mm I just bought from you this leaves me with just one more lens to buy... the 600mm. However, that last lens must wait for awhile until I sell enough to buy the camera, tripod head, and spot meter.

Jim Galli
30-Sep-2009, 19:52
Thank you, Jim B. I've read many threads about the Graphic Kowas... nice optics!!



Hey Jim G... now that is great news!! :) The G-Claron I just bought is a tiny beauty considering it can cover 5x12 and I'm hoping it performs as well as it looks. Together with the 150mm I just bought from you this leaves me with just one more lens to buy... the 600mm. However, that last lens must wait for awhile until I sell enough to buy the camera, tripod head, and spot meter.

What's the filter size on your 210 G-Claron. There were 2 iterations. I like the early one best.

eric black
1-Oct-2009, 06:37
I use a 210mm APO Symmar and it seems to my eye to have plenty in the way of sharpness, contrast and coverage for the minor movements that I use in landscape shooting. Got it for less than $400 as well!

eric black
1-Oct-2009, 06:38
Oops, forgot to add, Im shooting 4x10- no idea on if coverage extends to 5x12 for this one.

David Karp
1-Oct-2009, 07:40
Mike,

I would wait and see. My guess is that you will be really happy with the G-Claron.

So many times I have thought and overthought a LF purchase. Ultimately, I have found that I can't tell the difference in image quality between my top of the line class of lenses (Fuji 450 C, Nikkor 300 M for examples) and my "lesser" quality class of lenses (210mm f/6.1 Caltar Pro). I don't think that for the vast majority of situations I would be noticeably better off with a 200mm Nikkor M for example.

If it turns out you need the coverage of an APO-Sironar-N, then you can sell your G-Claron and pick up a Caltar II-N for pretty closs to $1 per mm.

BradS
1-Oct-2009, 13:33
deja-vu.

Mike1234
1-Oct-2009, 15:58
What's the filter size on your 210 G-Claron. There were 2 iterations. I like the early one best.

The cap is a slip-on 51mm so I guess it has 49mm threads.

Mike1234
1-Oct-2009, 16:00
deja-vu.

???