When observing negatives with a loupe and enlargements as small as 1.4x, both my Fuji 210 (80 degree) and 250 f6.7 were noticeably better at the far limits of image circle than the late model 210 Angulon Copal 3 that I had. Probably couldn't tell the difference on contacts, but I don't make contacts.
For me, the Fujinons are keepers and I sold the Angulon.
About a year ago one was for sale here on the forum. I decided to check ebay - got one from a seller in Japan that was in better (excellent) condition for a tad less...even the shipping was less. I paid $160 for it. I really like the lens for 8X10.Originally Posted by Alan Gales
I second ic-racer
The Fuji is VERY hard to beat for sharpness.
I got it to take a wedding shot- as a member of the groom's party, not official. I took a shot of the bride, outdoors in mixed afternoon light/shade, no meter, not much time to set up.
I was able to enlarge to 16x20 and print the texture in the dress fabric in a full person framing
Most of my modern lenses are inside-lettered Fujinon-Ws. Once I realized that most of them cover one size up compared with similar German lenses, and that they're dirt cheap, I started to stock up. My 210mm cost me something like $100, from Japan via Ebay.
Thanks, but I'd rather just watch:
Large format: http://flickr.com/michaeldarnton
Mostly 35mm: http://flickr.com/mdarnton
You want digital, color, etc?: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stradofear
Michael,
I have also gotten some great deals on inside-lettered Fujinon lenses. My first 90mm was a f/8 Fujinon SW. The only reason I sold it was to upgrade to a 90mm f/8 Nikkor solely to get the larger image circle. I picked up a beautiful 250mm f/6.7 Fujinon W for $200 from Japan at the same time I purchased a very nice 135mm f/5.6 Fujinon W for my 5x7 for only $100! I also purchased a 180mm f/5.6 Fujinon W for $100, again from Japan. The 180mm and 250mm are nice for Whole Plate.
The W and NW series are often great deals too, selling for less than comparable Nikons, Rodenstocks, and Schneiders. I am really happy with all of them.
The expensive Fujinons seem to be some of the newer wide angles, the CM-W series, the C series, and the A series multicoated lenses, especially the 240mm and above.
I guess Fujinon W 210mm F/5.6 with inner lettering and 58mm filter thread mount is that one you mentioned earlier with 352 IC? I just checked eBay there are so many of them in 210mm F/5.6. Some even have CM-W?
That is the one. The ones with the lettering on the outside of the barrel have smaller image circles. http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/byseries.htm
The ones marked Fujinon W on the outside of the lens barrel are EBC multicoated and came after the series you described. Those are actually from the NW series, but Fuji did not mark them this way on the lenses. (Why Fuji did this, who knows?) The CM-W series is the most recent iteration.
Last edited by David Karp; 29-Jan-2017 at 19:19. Reason: fixed a typo.
Thank you for info, David!
You are welcome.
I have both the 250mm f6.7 Fujinon and the 210mm Angulon. The 210mm Angulon should be used stopped down to at least f16 (f22 or smaller is even better) if you want to make the best use of its huge image circle. I like the Angulon just fine and haven't had any problems with sharpness with black and white, although for color work the Fujinon might be better if you don't need the wider view of the Angulon. Most of the time I go with the Angulon.
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