8x10 Lenses Most Used, Most Desired

[vinny]

450 nikkor M, 305 g claron, 210 5.6 fujinon-w, 250 fujinon w, fujinon 600C. I got my fujinon 600 before the price tripled. I rarely us it and the 450M is my go to.

[jp]

You can get a 300/5.6 in copal 3 shutter, planar style from Schneider or Fuji for a few hundred dollars in perfect condition used. It's probably quite common. I haven't used my symmar-s for years and should probably sell it.

I have a Kodak 305 portrait lens I just leave on my 8x10 field camera. I like soft focus and that does it well. They are quite popular as well and used prices start at several hundred $. It's a little short for portraits on 8x10 as it was designed for 5x7.

If you use a studio camera, you can have a bigger lensboard and have more lens options, including those with packard shutters.

Nothing wrong with used just so long as you budget some $ for the shutter to be serviced.

[Drew Wiley]

I'm glad I own a 600C, but don't use it very often either. When I want long perspectives, I generally prefer to use my 4x5 monorail. With a 450C on it (also one of my most used 8x10 lenses), I get a lot of reach. A lot depends on the wind and atmosphere. Any long shot is apt to suffer from some intervening haze; so 8x10 doesn't always give as much extra detail as you might expect in distant scenes. For certain projects I'll tote along the 600, but mainly use 360 and 450 for 8x10, but also routinely carry a 250. All these lenses remain in side pouches to the pack, and I only switch out the camera in the main compartment between 4x5 and 8x10, according to my seasonal preferences and budget.

[Vaughn]

I seemed to have gone towards the Fuji W lenses for the 8x10 (250/6.7, 300mm and 360mm -- the 360mm also being for the 11x14). They are on the heavy side, but none of my 8x10 system is lightweight...and I may not carry the 300 and the 360 at the same time, perhaps go with the 250 and 360. I just got the 360mm, so it will be fun to try that out...just need to get it on the right lens board. Time will tell if it replaces the 300mm which has been my mainstay.

But if I am under the redwoods and will be making all long exposures, I also have the choice of some process lenses without shutters...a 210mm Graphic Raptor (small and light) and a couple RedDot Artars (19" and 24"). My LF work is primarily B&W landscapes.

My non-LF photography has taken an interesting turn. It is primarily 6cmx6cm B&W using a TLR (fixed lens, 80mm or 75mm). Negatives are contact printed -- Platinum/palladium. The small size requires a very different way of seeing and composing than I use with the 8x10. Very rewarding. Time for another printing session!

[Andrew O'Neill]

120 Nikkor SW, 210 Nikkor W, (both just cover), 240 Nikkor W, 300 Nikkor M, 450 Nikkor, 600 Fujinon C

[domaz]

I have a 120 Nikkor SW and a Fujinon-SW 125 f/8 both cover 8x10 very nicely and give you an impressively wide angle of view. The 210mm Fujinon-W is a great lenses as well, wide angle of view and no trouble covering 8x10. For longer focal lengths I like the 15" f/10 APO Raptar. It's a lightweight lens that is easily used with a Packard Shutter (or get it mounted in a shutter if you have the cash).

[Drew Wiley]

And once again, your instincts took you down the right path with those little 6x6 contacts, Vaughn. Draws the viewer in.

[David Schaller]

I use 240 and 305 G-Clarons, and the 450 Fuji C. I also have a 210 Symar that covers, and can be converted to a longer focal length, but I don't recall the details at the moment.

[Graham Patterson]

A 270mm G-Claron for me. It is also my 'long' lens for the double extension Wista 5x4. The 8x10 will only get lenses added if/when it proves it's worth for my interests.

[Ari]

For portraits and urban work on 8x10, a 150 and a 300 are all I need. I think the 150XL is a fantastic modern lens, and I've also used it on 4x5 where it shines just as brightly as on 8x10.
I'd love to have a 210 that has plenty of room for movements (Grandagon 200 or 210XL), because I always run out of room with a 210.
I guess prices would put those two lenses in the "desirable" category.

And for portraits, I've used many different lenses on 8x10, from Heliars to Ektars, even a Nikon 300 f5.6, briefly; the 12" Commercial Ektar was my fave until I bought a Cooke XVa, the triple convertible.
Yes, its IQ is stellar, but the Cooke is also quite economical: it's prevented me from wanting or needing (or affording) any other lenses.
And the three FLs (300, 476, 646) are similar to the Fuji C offerings, costing roughly the same, probably a little more.