8x10" lens: Sironar S 300 or Nikkor W 360?

[Marco Frigerio]

Hi guys!!

I've just switched to 8x10" and I've been shooting with a Nikkor 300M (my "long" lens with the 4x5") for a couple of months.

I'm not satisfied with the results, I use a lot of rise/fall and tilt and I often notice a loss of sharpness at the edges, so it''s time to sell the Nikkor and found a lens in the 300/360mm. range.

I found on the used market (I can't buy new) a Sironar S 300 and a Nikkor W 360, both interesting priced, well I know that the Sironar ia taken in higher consideration, but there's a difference of about 450$ between the two (the Sironar is more expensive) and I can't decide what to buy, I mean, my pocket says "buy the Nikkor" and my soul says "buy the Sironar".
The fact that I know pretty nothing about their optical performances adds complications to my choice.

Any advices would be greatly appreciated (and I'm open to new suggestions in the 300/360mm range).

Thank you.

Marco

[Antonio Corcuera]

Marco, I don't know if you mean the Sironar N or S, but both are massive beasts. These and the Nikkor take copal #3 shutters and will cover 8x10" with lots of movements. With the price difference you mention, I'd go for the Nikkor. Maybe you might consider a 305mm G-Claron or a Fujinon-C 300mm (if you are lucky enough to find one) which will cover the format at f:22 and are tiny (copal #1), sharp and cheap compared to the ones you are considering. Or get the Nikkor and for with $450 get a G-Claron ;-)

[Juergen Sattler]

Marco, here on this site is a lens comparison chart for 8x10 lenses - it will help you narrow down which lens to go for. I do second Antonio's recommendation for the Fujinon 300C, but I don't know if it will have enough coverage power if you really use a lot of rise. I do landscape and I have not managed to run out of coverage with my Fujinon 300C.

[Edward (Halifax,NS)]

I would see if I could find a Sironar N in a DB mount and then have SKGrimes.com mount it in a Copal 3 shutter for me. If 240mm is not too wide there are a couple available in the $350-450 range. The shutters go for about $500 new. How does that compare to the lenses you were looking at?

[jose angel]

My vote is for the Nikkor W 360. I would keep the 300M at least for a "testing period", after that you can decide. Plasmat 360 lenses are monsters, perhaps in a future you prefer the more compact and portable 300M.

I´m surprised about your dissapointment. Being a very satisfied apo-ronar 300 user, I considered the Nikkor M a better choice for 8x10". Also, the enormous coverage of the Nikkor W 360 makes me to desire this beast...

[Ted Harris]

Monsters only begins to describe the size and weight of these monsters. The 300mm Symmar-S MC I own is the largest and heaviest lens in my kit by a significant margin. Way larger and heavier than my Nikkor 450M. Having said that you are sort of comparing apples to tangerines with the two lenses under consideration. Yes, they are the same basic lens design but the are different focal lengths, have different angles of coverage, etc. As for performance I can make an indirect comment. I have done side-by-side comparisons of other focal lengths of the Nikon W series versus the Schneider Apo Symmars and Rodenstock Apo Sironar N's. The Schneider and Rodenstock lenses performned identically in B&W. The Nikon offerings were very slightly less contrasty but were equally excellent in all other aspects. Of course, I have no idea if ithis remains a fair comparison at the focal lengths in question. I do know that the Nikkor 450M, which is the only lens in the M series I have any experience with, is an excellent performer.

Either one of the lenses you are considering will give you enough additional image circle to correct the movement problems you are having. Generally speaking,many find the Sironar-S series to be the finest general purpose lenses on the market but I imagine you might be hard pressed to tell the difference in the final image. I do find that there is some indinable something that I DO notice in images from my 135 Sironar S, 150 Sironar W and 110 Super Symmar XL that are very similar each-to-each and different from other lenses I own; I can only describe it as 'sparkle' and often tend to chalk it up to a subjective impression.

[Jim Galli]

A Schneider 305 G-Claron is the elegant solution. It covers 11X14 should you wake up some morning with one of those sitting near you. And it's sharp corner to corner. The only thing it has in common with the Nikkor M is the relatively small size, Copal 1 shutter, and f9 maximum aperture. My experience with several is that they are very VERY sharp. G-Clarons will cover 82 degrees when stopped down which is well beyond the 75 that people pay all the big bucks for with the Sironar S lenses. And it does it with half the weight. Sheesh you'd think I invented them or owned a lot of SK stock wouldn't you. My 270 G-Claron is my most used 8X10 and larger lens.

[Scott Davis]

Don't forget some older classic lenses as options. You can find beautiful Kodak Commercial Ektar 12" and 14" lenses (300 and 360mm) for $300-450. They produce gorgeous images, and the 14" will certainly cover 11x14, with some movement, so you'll get ample movement with it on 8x10. The old Goerz Apo-Artars in similar focal lengths will also stead you well, and can be found for similar money.

[Ken Lee]

Keep in mind that if you are making contact prints, then the resolution of any of these lenses will be more than adequate. In that case, it boils down to coverage, then then other factors, like size, filter size, and weight. You might want to determine, the amount of coverage you will settle for. That seems to be your most important criteria.

It has been said that you can never be too rich, too slim, or have too many film holders - and to that I add: or have too much lens coverage.

[Brian Vuillemenot]

I can vouch for the awesome quality of the 300 mm Sironar-S. It's my favorite lens for both 8X10 and 4X10. If the price is a bit of a deterent, there's an almost new one selling on the Badger Graphics website for quite a bit less than new. Hopefully, someone else hasn't snagged it already. Go for the best- you won't regret that desicion!