300 mm Lens Options

[Dave Schneidr]

I would like to add a 300mm lens to my 4x5 camera. I'm not sure at this point th at I would use it enough to justify an expensive new or recently used lens. Wond ering if there are any bargains in the vintage or classic lenses, Kodak, Wollens ak, etc. I do want a lens in a shutter, no barrels considered. Are these old len ses in Aplhax or other old shutters going to be useable? I shoot strictly black and white if that matters. Any suggestions? I don't want to spend the $400-500 t hat a used Nikkor M 300/9 of G-Claron 305/9 would cost.

[Scott Walton]

Linhof 360 f5.5's are GREAT. I have one at home and we have some at work. You might be very surprised on how much you will use it when you get it!!! I really like the compression and use it alot. Take a look at www.ebay.com Cheers

[Ken Burns]

Dave: I have a 300 Fujinon T that I use on my Tachihara field camera. Once you get a 300, you'll be surprised how much you will use it. 300 really isn't all that long of a lens, about equal to an 80 in 35mm (based strictly on relative linear magnifications). I too have purchased old lenses in old shutters, and I found that the main problems with such lenses can be the old shutters. If you do decide to get an old lens, by all means make sure the shutter is in extremely good shape. Sometimes repair costs can be higher than the value of the shutter.

[Dick Deimel]

You don't say what camera you have, and how much bellows draw it has. That is a major limiting factor in choosing a long lens.

[Dave Schneidr]

I have the Toyo 45E camera, about 450mm of bellows draw. Not planning to use the 300mm very close so I don't think I'll have problems with bellows. The Nikkor-M or G-Claron would do nicely but would like to spend about half that amount.

[Brian Ellis]

If by "half that amount" you mean $200 - $250 I think you're going to have a difficult time finding a clean 300 mm lens and shutter in that price range that will have sufficient coverage.I wouldn't say it can't be done but it's going to take a lot of patience and a lot of time I suspect. Your best bet might be to look for lenses with "cleaning marks." If the marks aren't too lmany or too large, and are towards the edge of the lens rather than the center, they might work fine, especially for black and white, and cleaning marks might discourage enough purchasers so that the seller would give you a large enough discount to bring the lens within your price range.

[Dave_958]

Maybe I am wrong. I am not an expert. I just want to convey to you what I understood after reading comments by earlier contributors.If your camera uses a small lensboard (96 x 99 mm) with tapered bellows, you may want to consider a compact 300/f9 mm lens, easily stashed in a pocket of your camera bag/backpack, while if your lensboard is large (e.g., 140 x 140 mm), and could never fit in the pocket, maybe you would be more inclined to buy a brighter but bulkier 300/f5.6 lens. Camera bellows tapered to fit a 96 x 99 mm lensboard are unable to accept lenses the rear element of which has a diameter larger than 80 mm. Best of luck in your search.