5X7 lens search

[Terry Hull]

I am looking for a 210MM, or preferably 240MM or even 12", that has decent light gathering ability (f6.8 or better) that will fit a Linhof technica standard lens board and have some movement capability. I would be happy with either a modern or old style lens, and have examined the list of lens on this site, but find there are other lenses not listed. My budget is $200-$600, and I am still considering swapping a 120MM Nikon Ed macro lens, but find that I need more research to see what is available.

For example, Fujinon 210 L f5.6 will it cover 5X7 with some movement? 12" Kodak commercial ektar in a copal 1 shutter? Are there old style lenses that meet my criteria?

I am using a Chamonix 5X7

Thank you.

[Ole Tjugen]

Oh my - there are hundreds!

Any 210mm except some "specials", in any shutter not larger than a Compound #3. Personally I like older Schneider lenses - Symmar 210/5.6 convertible for movements, Xenar 210/4.5 for light, and Xenar 210/6.1 for lightness (that's in a Copal #1).

[William Whitaker]

What Ole exclaimed.

The Commercial Ektars usually came in Ilex shutters. A 10" Commercial Ektar has lots of room for 5x7. A clean one in an Ilex #4 can be had for well within your budget and it will fit on a Technika lensboard.

[engl]

Perhaps the Fujinon 250mm lenses? They are either F6.3 or F6.7, and come in Copal 1 shutters instead of the big/heavy #3 to #5 used by most 240-300mm somewhat fast lenses. They seem to have a good reputation around here (do a search for 250mm fujinon), and plenty of coverage for 5x7. The older F6.7 has ~400mm IC, generous even for 8x10.

[Terry Hull]

Will-Will the commercial ektar fit a linhof board? Any experience with the Fujinon L 210 viz 5X7 coverage? Are there any longer focal length lenses say 300 that are small enough, at say F7.7 or less that will fit the linhof boards? Is there a website that lists the older lenses such as Dagors ? A computar symmetrigon f6.3 copal 1- is this a good lens?

I don't know my shutters so I have no idea what a compound shutter is, even after reading the detailed dimensions. I thought ilex shutters to be too big, but if anyone could help me narrow this down ?-Thanks for the help-don't blame me I was banker B4 retiring!

[Vaughn]

Another nice sleeper is the f6.3 210mm Computar Symmetrigon in a Copol 1 shutter. Won't cover 8x10 but does a fine job with 5x7 (sharp and good contrast.)

Computar Symmetrigon 4/4 210 6.3 308 (image circle) from: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenseslist.html

[Ole Tjugen]

For a longer lens, the G-Claron 305mm is hard to beat (even if it's relatively modern)

[Struan Gray]

A Copal 3 will fit on a Technika lensboard. Some of the controls can overhang the edge a bit (so you have to be careful if it's in a 100 mm square lens case) but there's a slight standoff so on the cameras I've tried I haven't fouled the lensboard locking slides, or for that matter, tilts on the front standard.

A Copal 3 will allow you to use any of the standard f5.6 plasmats up to 300 mm. Nikkor W lenses seem the cheapest way to get modern glass and coatings. Older Symmars and Sironars are still good if your budget is really tight, but above 210 mm they can be in shutters with no modern equivalent - often bigger ones. The 240 Symmar is an exception in Compur 2, and is a better size on the lensboard than the more modern lenses in Copal 3 - it gives you f5.6 in a relatively compact package.

Faster than f5.6 probably means a 210 mm Tessar-type at f4 or f4.5. The Xenars turn up pretty frequently used, but for my taste the extra half stop or so isn't worth the loss of coverage, unless you're doing the swirly portrait thing.

[Gem Singer]

Terry,

Click on LF Home Page on the blue tool bar above.

Scroll down to "Lenses"- Comparison Charts.

Click on 5x7, and your question will be answered.

Recently, I purchased a nice Nikon/Nikkor f5.6 210W for $200. 210 is an outstanding "normal" focal length for 5x7.

[Songyun]

go light, go get a fujinon A 240

[Ari]

An older Fujinon-W 210 (lettering on the inside) does a good job even with 8x10.

[jnantz]

a wollensak 1a convertible
is 13" 20 + 25", in a betax shutter
and has an enormous image circle.
it covers 5x7 with ease and will also
cover 11x14 for when you decide
to get a ULF camera :)

[Gem Singer]

Songyun,

The OP stipulated a lens of f6.8, or faster.

The Fujinon f9 240A is smaller and lighter weight, but slower.

[Steve Hamley]

To elaborate on what Will said, Ilex #4 shutters (10" and 12" Commercial Ektars) will fit on a Linhof Tech board, but you'll have to have the right size hole bored and the flange mounted. Also, note in the attached image that the bottom of the flange has been trimmed to clear the notch in the bottom of the lens board. Use of a properly mounted flange also (usually) spaces the shutter out so that any controls clear the camera and don't hit the board.

If you're wanting to use a 300mm or 12" lens there are a lot of options including process lenses like Goerz Artars, Schneider G-Clarons, Rodenstock Apo Ronars, but all are f:9, as is the recently discontinued Nikkor-M 300mm f:9. Along with the 300mm f:8.5 Fujinon C, both are compact, multicoated and will cover 8x10 straight on and mount on readily available Copal 1 boards with no fuss.

Cheers, Steve

[Kevin Crisp]

My most used 5x7 lens is a 180mm Schneider, with the 150 g claron a close second. Any classic or newer 210 Plasmat would be great, the 240 g claron is a fine 5X7 lens if you want longer still. There are lots of reasonably priced multi-coated 210's available these days. At f:9 the 240 g claron is plenty bright enough.

[William Whitaker]

Will-Will the commercial ektar fit a linhof board? Any experience with the Fujinon L 210 viz 5X7 coverage? Are there any longer focal length lenses say 300 that are small enough, at say F7.7 or less that will fit the linhof boards? Is there a website that lists the older lenses such as Dagors ?

To be specific, an Ilex #4 (or #3) will fit on a Technika board. A #5 Ilex will not fit a Technika board. My 10" Commercial Ektar is in an Ilex #4 shutter and is mounted on a Technika board.

I don't know the other lenses you asked about. I have a 12" (300mm) Red Dot Artar in a Compur that I really like. Keep in mind that if you restrict the lensboard size (and consequently the physical size of the lens), the maximum aperture of the lens will be limited. Said another way, fast lenses need big lensboards. Then again, f/9 really isn't all that bad for focusing.

[Terry Hull]

Thanks to all of you!

[jeroldharter]

All of the G-Clarons (210, 240, 305) would work. On the larger size, a Rodenstock 210mm Apo-Sironar W would certainly fit the bill in Copal 3. I have each of those lenses although I have not used the Rodenstock much yet. I use them on 8x10 so you will have plenty of room for movements.

[John Kasaian]

G Clarons & Artars are slower than what you asked about. An Ilex 215mm Acuton might be something you'd be interested in. or a 9-1/2" or 12" Dagor. Or a Wollensak Velostigmat.

[Songyun]

Songyun,

The OP stipulated a lens of f6.8, or faster.

The Fujinon f9 240A is smaller and lighter weight, but slower.

oops, I just read too fast...