dh003i
7-Nov-2011, 09:11
I'm looking for an approximate replacement for my Nikkor-SW 90/4.5 on 8x10, 180mm. This is a vexing focal length if trying to find something affordable and not enormous.
Going to an angle a little bit less wide than 180mm on 8x10, there is 210, in which there appears to be a few choices. The ones I noticed are the Kowa 210/9 and Computar 210/9. These are actually a little bit of a nicer focal length for my typical usage here in Rochester, NY where there aren't a lot of wide-open vistas.
I see two interesting options that seem to be available, not enormous, and relatively affordable: the Kowa 210/9 and the Computar or Kyvytar 210/9. From what I've read, the Computar/Kyvytar seems to cover more (456 mm). Accounts of the Kowa's image circle range from 360mm to 380mm to "an honest 410mm" (Jim Galli). This last one is in line with Kerry Thalman's statement that while he was disappointed that the Kowa doesn't cover 11x14, it does definitely cover 10x12 (at least for contact printing), which requires 396mm.
I'm only concerned with coverage and performance for 8x10. I'd love to get the Computar, but can't find it anywhere (there are Computar Symmetrigons available, but they are different lenses than the plan Computar 210, with less coverage and won't even cover 8x10). Thus, that said, does anyone have experience with the Kowa 210/9 on 8x10 and if it gives adequate room for reasonable movements?
PS: I have a 120-SW/8 for ultra-wide, so I really don't need anything significantly wider than 180mm...I can just crop from the 120, it is sharp enough by all accounts.
Going to an angle a little bit less wide than 180mm on 8x10, there is 210, in which there appears to be a few choices. The ones I noticed are the Kowa 210/9 and Computar 210/9. These are actually a little bit of a nicer focal length for my typical usage here in Rochester, NY where there aren't a lot of wide-open vistas.
I see two interesting options that seem to be available, not enormous, and relatively affordable: the Kowa 210/9 and the Computar or Kyvytar 210/9. From what I've read, the Computar/Kyvytar seems to cover more (456 mm). Accounts of the Kowa's image circle range from 360mm to 380mm to "an honest 410mm" (Jim Galli). This last one is in line with Kerry Thalman's statement that while he was disappointed that the Kowa doesn't cover 11x14, it does definitely cover 10x12 (at least for contact printing), which requires 396mm.
I'm only concerned with coverage and performance for 8x10. I'd love to get the Computar, but can't find it anywhere (there are Computar Symmetrigons available, but they are different lenses than the plan Computar 210, with less coverage and won't even cover 8x10). Thus, that said, does anyone have experience with the Kowa 210/9 on 8x10 and if it gives adequate room for reasonable movements?
PS: I have a 120-SW/8 for ultra-wide, so I really don't need anything significantly wider than 180mm...I can just crop from the 120, it is sharp enough by all accounts.