100/105mm "tweener" lenses for 4x5/6x12?

[CreationBear]

I'm in the process of putting together a 4x5/6x12 kit around a Horseman HF. Given its compact form factor and modest movements, I was wondering if lenses like the Fuji 105/5.6 or even the Schneider 100/5.6 should be on my radar, even if their IC's are marginal for 4x5. (I'd be doing run-and-gun landscapes here in the Smokies, of course, and not anything too technical.)

So I'm curious, do any of you throw a lens like this in the bag--especially if you use a RFB regularly--or would I just be setting myself up for a lot of frustration?

[Dan Fromm]

Lessee now, 6x12's diagonal is 125 mm. Here are some likely ~ 100/5.6 lenses with image circles:

105/5.6 Fujinon-NW (162 mm @ f/22)
105/5.6 Fujinon CM-W (174 mm @ f/22)
100/5.6 Nikkor-W (153 mm @ f/22)
105/5.6 Nikkor-W (155 mm @ f/22
100/5.6 Sironar-N (147 mm @ f/22)
100/5.6 Apo-Sironar-N (151 mm @ f/22)
100/5.6 Symmar-S (143 mm @ f/22)

If you want to use extremely extreme movements, something like a 105/8 Fujinon SW or NSW (250 mm @ f/22) would do better.

[Bob Salomon]

Lessee now, 6x12's diagonal is 125 mm. Here are some likely ~ 100/5.6 lenses with image circles:

105/5.6 Fujinon-NW (162 mm @ f/22)
105/5.6 Fujinon CM-W (174 mm @ f/22)
100/5.6 Nikkor-W (153 mm @ f/22)
105/5.6 Nikkor-W (155 mm @ f/22
100/5.6 Sironar-N (147 mm @ f/22)
100/5.6 Apo-Sironar-N (151 mm @ f/22)
100/5.6 Symmar-S (143 mm @ f/22)

If you want to use extremely extreme movements, something like a 105/8 Fujinon SW or NSW (250 mm @ f/22) would do better.

Depends on which 612 format. Depending on brand they vary between 56 x 611 to 56 x 620!

[Dan Fromm]

Bob Salomon wrote:

Depends on which 612 format. Depending on brand they vary between 56 x 611 to 56 x 620!

56x112 to 56x120, Bob. Read before posting. 112 is the most common.

[CreationBear]

something like a 105/8 Fujinon SW or NSW (250 mm @ f/22) would do better.

Thanks for input! I should mention that with the Horseman, I'm limited by the diameter of the rear cell, too...I don't believe either of those Fuji's would fit, though the CM-W 105/5.6 would. (On a related note, I don't know how to calculate the precise figure, but I'm thinking the IC area the camera would be able to exploit would be rather small in the first place.)

At any rate, I'm willing to admit my preference for a compact form factor might be a tail that's wagging a dog. I'm also cheap (at least at this stage of the journey)--so a lens that's, say, 10% of the price of a 110 Super-Symmar would make me entertain all sorts of compromises.

[Dan Fromm]

I forgot to mention the 100/6.3 Wide Field Ektar. Harder to find and probably more expensive than the f/5.6ers but smaller and lighter. There's also the post-WW II ("V" indicates coated) 100/6.3 Meyer Aristostigmat, which can be found in barrel and in shutter. Ones in shutter are scarce.

[CreationBear]

Depending on brand they vary between 56 x 611 to 56 x 620!

Thanks, Bob--I do have a Horseman RFB, so I do think it's 112mm on the long side.

[CreationBear]

I forgot to mention the 100/6.3 Wide Field Ektar. Harder to find and probably more expensive than the f/5.6ers but smaller and lighter.

Thanks! That's actually a lens that's on "The List," but am I right that it might require a custom-drilled lens board?

[Dan Fromm]

Use the list -- see my sticky in the lenses section -- to find lens specifications. I understand that the HF takes 80 mm x 80 mm boards, don't know its lens throat's diameter. I shoot cameras with a 48 mm lens throat, the 105/5.6 Fujinon W passes through it with room to spare.

You're overthinking things and worrying too much. Remember, in the worst case you can mount a lens whose rear cell won't pass through the front standard's lens throat by removing the camera's back, unscrewing the rear cell from the shutter, mounting shutter with front cell on the camera, screwing the rear cell back in from the back of the camera and reattaching the back. I have to do this to use my 35/4.5 Apo Grandagon and 58/5.6 Grandagon. A pain, but its what I have to do.

If money is an issue, go for a Fujinon. Early 105/5.6 Ws (engraving on the trim ring, not around the front cell's barrel) can be got for < $100 delivered.

[CreationBear]

Early 105/5.6 Ws (engraving on the trim ring, not around the front cell's barrel) can be got for < $100 delivered.

Ha, thanks Dan--no doubt you're right about "analysis paralysis." FWIW, I've been looking at the Fujinon you mention for a while, though I've not seen one for that price--one plus it does have for me, though, is that it shares the same filter size as my Fuji 180A...