Nikkor Process lens

[werps]

I'm looking at a Nikkor 260mm process lens. I need high definition for closeup w ork, but also want good performance at infinity.Is this the right choice, and if not can someone suggest better choices? I'm shooting 4x5 with a Crown Graflex a nd Sinar F2 w/Auto aperture shutter. Thanks in advance for your help and sugges tions. Wil

[Doug Paramore]

Wil: I used one of these for awhile on an 8x10 and found it to be sharp at all distances. I assume the lens you are talking about is the big monster...that is what I had. If you can get it cheap, it will probably be o.k., but big for the Crown Graphic. There are better choices. I have the feeling that, in general, regular taking lenses are better closeup than process lenses are at infinity. My opinion, which you can put with a dollar and get a cup of coffee. Good Shooting,

[Pete Caluori]

Greetings Wil,

I can second doug's comments. I have a 300mm Nikkor process lens and it's very sharp, but it's also big; it takes a Copal 3 shutter. You may want to check if your Crown can handle the size and has sufficient bellows draw for what you want to do.

Regards,

[werps]

Thanks, you Guys are wonderful. How would you compare a Nikkor process lens to a G Claron? I plan to use this lens on the Sinar so size isn't a problem.Doug ,I see you haven't been to Starbucks! Thanks Again, Wil

[Bruce Gavin]

The Nikkor 260mm process lens won't work on your Crown Graphic. I own one, and it does not have enough bellows draw to hit 1:1 (520mm required). I measure 323mm maximum bellows draw on my Crown, flange to film plane.

I have a new Apo Sironar S 210mm on my Crown now, and it gobbles up most of the lens board, and is only in a Copal #1 shutter. If you go longer, you will be restricted to non-plasmat lenses to avoid the #3 shutter size. An Apo-Ronar 240 or Fuji-A in 240mm would be my choices. Personally, I don't care for the MTF charts of the G-Claron series... they indicate too much image quality deterioration beyond 60% of the image circle.

For closeups, consider an adapter ring to mount a 39mm Leica threaded enlarging lens to a Copal #1 shutter. I am having one made by SK Grimes for approximately $50. I recently saw an ad for ready made adapters for $20, but will have to dig out the URL from my office machine.