Over the years I have shot 2x3, 5x4, whole plate and 10x8 and as a result have ended up with an odd mix of lenses which I could do with rationalising down to a set that I use. There isn't a bad lens among them so its not about quality. I have changed bag strategies and now have a 'camera compartment which is interchangeable depending on what I want to take out and a lens and accessory compartment that lives in the bag permanently. So what I want to do is get down to a basic lens set predominantly for 5x4 through 10x8 where I can add extremes or specialties if needed. I think I know what I want to do - interested in views from those who may have made or would make different choices. I shoot mainly 10x8 and 5x4 these days. Head needs to make a good decision....
Its scary but here is what disgorges from my bags currently !
58mm Xl
80mm XL
110mm XL
150mm Sironar S
180mm Docter Tessar F4.5 in copal 3
203m Ektar in prontor svs (recently CLA'd)
210mm G-Claron
240mm docter germinar F9 (not the W)
300mm Nikkor F9
360mm / 500mm T nikkor
360mm apo ronar in copal 3
480mm process nikkor & front fitted luc shutter
The bottom end is pretty clear, the 58mm is only used on 2x3, the 80mm is a 1% lens on 5x4 so counts as specialty but standard on 2x3. 110mm is most used lens on 5x4. Gap to 180 is a bit big so the 150 is logical to keep. The 180 is a great lens and works well on whole plate (nearly covers 10x8) as well as 5x4. 203mm ektar covers 10x8 surprisingly so is good for all formats. So it goes on and in the end there is a good reason for them all and why they were acquired over the last few years.... The 'T' lenses were acquired because of the bellows draw (or lack of). I have for each camera 20cm on 6x9 and a stretched 40cm on 5x4. I don't want to invest in additional bellows for these cameras.
My hypothesis is to drop down to this set:
58mm Xl (speciality 2x3 only)
80mm XL(2x3 standard, 5x4 speciality)
110mm XL(2x3, 5x4 standard, whole plate and 10x8 speciality)
150mm Sironar S (2x3, 5x4)
203m Ektar (lovely lens and almost valueless so not worth selling and a real small utility player)
210mm G-Claron (5x4, whole plate standard & 10x8) - in a modern latest type compur which I miss the 'T' setting on
300mm Nikkor F9 (5x4, whole plate & 10x8 standard)
360mm apo ronar in copal 3 (whole plate speciality & 10x8)
480mm process nikkor & front fitted luc shutter (10x8 speciality only)
Thoughts ?
Thanks
Dave
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