Wanting fast lens for 11x14

**Jim Galli** · 17-Feb-2016, 07:54

There was a Cooke Aviar 21" f5.6 unmarked that her majesty used in the Air Ministry that turns up once in a while. Looks just like the 14" f5.6 version except on steroids. Gundlach made an f4.5 Radar for 11X14, 18" iirc and put a few of them in Studio Shutter. Neither of these is common. 18" Verito is my all time favorite. People associate Verito with fuzziness but they don't have to be. Stopped down just a bit they firm right up. Also, don't forget that Verito is convertible. I did a memorable portrait on 14X17 with the 24" component of my 11 1/2" Verito. When you're talking 11X14 and fast in the same sentence, there's no way to get beyond large chunks of heavy glass. O/wise it wouldn't be "fast".

**Struan Gray** · 17-Feb-2016, 08:59

The Aviar will cover, but be aware that many of the British long Aerial lenses (often no-name War Department or Air Ministry 20" and 36" monsters) are telephotos designed to cover 9x9" or thereabouts. They'll work on 8x10, but are doubtful for 11x14. My 36" certainly doesn't work at infinity.

**Vaughn** · 17-Feb-2016, 09:54

How about the Wollaston Meniscus lenses? I have a 500/6.8 that I have not used yet. May not be the look you want.

**William Whitaker** · 17-Feb-2016, 15:45

Originally Posted by Jim Galli

...18" Verito is my all time favorite. People associate Verito with fuzziness but they don't have to be. Stopped down just a bit they firm right up. Also, don't forget that Verito is convertible. I did a memorable portrait on 14X17 with the 24" component of my 11 1/2" Verito. When you're talking 11X14 and fast in the same sentence, there's no way to get beyond large chunks of heavy glass. O/wise it wouldn't be "fast".

Except that a Verito is not heavy compared with many lenses. For its size, it's really quite light. But it IS big. And it does sharpen quickly as you stop down. Anything beyond about f/8 is reasonably sharp.

**Jim Galli** · 17-Feb-2016, 15:48

Originally Posted by Will Whitaker

Except that a Verito is not heavy compared with many lenses. For its size, it's really quite light. But it IS big. And it does sharpen quickly as you stop down. Anything beyond about f/8 is reasonably sharp.

All correct. Focus area is always sharp. Nice sharp core in the glow. But oof area and glow diminish as you stop down. As you well know, but perhaps others haven't got to play with one.

**Tin Can** · 17-Feb-2016, 16:01

Originally Posted by Vaughn

How about the Wollaston Meniscus lenses? I have a 500/6.8 that I have not used yet. May not be the look you want.

No! He needs my 790mm f5.7 Whoaston, well not mine but her sister.

I have used mine and look at her everyday, I got big plans...

**Vaughn** · 17-Feb-2016, 16:11

Originally Posted by Randy Moe

No! He needs my 790mm f5.7 Whoaston, well not mine but her sister.

I have used mine and look at her everyday, I got big plans...

Oh...mine is not available...'my' 11x14 is shared property with another photographer, and most of the lenses are his. How nice to have a photographer friend with GAS!!

**Jody_S** · 18-Feb-2016, 15:39

I have a Sony 300mm f2 projection Petzval that might illuminate 11x14, I'm not sure if anything anywhere is going to be 'sharp'... I haven't mounted it in anything yet, none of my camera's lensboards are large enough or strong enough to hold it. I bought a 5x7 studio camera for the purpose but it doesn't quite do it.

**Greg** · 18-Feb-2016, 17:13

Originally Posted by koh303

what FL covers 11X14 in this type of lens?

I use a 9.0" (220mm) f/2.5 red Buhl on my 11x14. It doesn't cover the format by any means, and it essentially has no depth of field... and that's why I love the optic. Mounted in front of a Sinar copal shutter. Downside is that I almost always have to use a very, very large ND filter mounted in the Sinar shutter since the Sinar shutter's fastest speed is 1/60.