Fuji 600mm f11.5 covers at 16x20 at what aperture?

[DolphinDan]

Hi all,

I am considering the move up to ULF, specifically 16x20 (I currently shoot 8x10 and like the aspect ratio). I would be using this camera solely for portraits and hopefully making platinum contact prints. I am also considering making 16x20 digital negatives from my 8x10 shots.

I read on some posts that the Fuji Fujinon-C 600mm f11.5 lens covers 16x20. I have this lens, so it would make the move to 16x20 a lot easier and less expensive. However, nobody mentioned at what aperture it covers 16x20. I would like the option of shooting at f22 or thereabouts, that is why I ask. Why f22: I prefer slower speed films like Ilford DELTA 100, and the shorter the exposure time the better.

Anybody shoot 16x20 with this lens? If so, at what aperture? Anything else I need to know about this camera/lens combination?

Namaste
Daniel

[Sal Santamaura]

Per the manufacturer's literature

http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat/c.htm

the circle is 620 mm at f/22, smaller than a 16x20 negative's approximately 650 mm diagonal. I've never shot larger than 11x14 or used front movements with this lens at that film size, so don't know whether Fuji's specification reflects an area of acceptable resolution or if the lens design includes hard stops. If it's resolution-limited, 16x20 corners might be illuminated. Stopping down further may improve corner resolution, but you say you don't want to use smaller apertures and corner resolution is probably not important for portraits.

With a little math or drawing on paper, you could determine how much to shift the lens on your 8x10 to find out. Otherwise, someone who's shot the 600C on 16x20 will need to chime in.

[Hermes07]

The difference made by shooting at portait magnifications will be significant. You will presumably always be using 750mm + of bellows draw. Off the top of my head that will expand your image circle from 620mm (assuming this is at infinity) to 775mm which cover with room.

[federico9001]

otherwise I would suggest you the Schneider 550 XXL -stunning rendition over 90 cm of image circle

[Hermes07]

600mm is already a normal focal length for 16x20. If you're looking for a one lens fits all solution for portraits, I would avoid going wider and would ideally be looking for something longer. It's not a format to be getting into without a lot of bellows to spare.

[jack_hui]

I have tried the C600 on my 2024, it can cover at wide open.

[DolphinDan]

Thanks to everyone who responded. In particular, thanks Jack for the 20x24 coverage info. Time to start saving my pennies...

Namaste
Daniel

[Songyun]

I have tried the C600 on my 2024, it can cover at wide open.

by cover, do you mean illumination? I know nikon M 300 for example can illuminate more than 8X10 size, but 325mm is the only usable image diameter. Image quality drops dramatically beyond 325mm the stated IC.

[sanking]

by cover, do you mean illumination? I know nikon M 300 for example can illuminate more than 8X10 size, but 325mm is the only usable image diameter. Image quality drops dramatically beyond 325mm the stated IC.

The circle of illumination of the 600mm Fujinon-C covers 20X24 with some to spare. Yes, image quality drops on the corners but if you stop down to f45 or f/64, which would be expect with 20X24 to get adequate depth of field, image quality will be more than adequate for contact printing.

And for the record, the circle of illumination of the Nikkor 450M is also large enough to cover 20X24, and if you stop down to f/45 or f/64 image quality will be fine for contact printing. In fact, in my opinion the image quality of the 450mm Nikkor M on 20X24 is better than that of Protar V lenses of similar focal length, even though the Protar lenses on average are much more expensive.

The stated coverage of most modern lens is for f/11 or f/16 and assumes projection printing where the negative is enlarged several times. For contact printing, which is the norm of 20X24 and most other ULF cameras, the useful coverage is often much greater than the stated coverage.

Sandy King

[DolphinDan]

Sandy,

Thanks for the info on the Nikkor-M 450mm. I have this lens as well. 16x20 is looking better and better :-)

Namaste
Daniel

[alexander_LF]

I have tried the C600 on my 2024, it can cover at wide open.

hi Jack. curious how does the c600 do for the landscape photography, i.e. coverage at infinity on 20x24?
thank you

[xkaes]

The C 600 has an IC of 620 at f22 at infinity -- basically 16x20". A 20x24"?