180mm for 5x7

[arthur berger]

Which would be a better choice for use on a 5x7... 180mm Schneider symmar-S or Apo-Symmar or Fujinon with inside lettering or 180 Fuji with
outside lettering.Any thoughts or reasons? I like Dagors but rare in that focal length.

[AJ Edmondson]

I used a 180mm APO Symmar on my Canham 5x7 and was completely satisfied with it (both in coverage and performance)... that said, the Fujinons with lettering on the front bezel are great (MY OPINION ONLY). I just like the way the older single-coated lenses perform. I no longer shoot 5x7 but kept the 180mm f5.6 APO Symmar and use it on 4x5.
Joel

[Greg]

I use a 180mm Fujinon with inside lettering on my whole plate for B&W work and love it. Had a chance to use a Dagor once and, if I remember correctly, at f/45 it had more coverage but the Fujinon was sharper... of course we're comparing optics made probably 50 years apart.

[Luis-F-S]

Check the coverages and decide. I doubt the optical quality will be the determining factor. Or buy both and see which you like better.

[Pere Casals]

All have similar coverages...

The fujinon with inside lettering would be (I guess) single coated, The Symmar-S can be single or multi coated, and the APO Symmar is multi-coated for sure.

I don't think a difference can be noticed beyond coating. I you like a Dagor because of the single coating footprint then you know what want. If you like the Dagor because of bokeh then all those 3 are slightly inferior.

Both 3 are excellent general purpose lenses.

[Vaughn]

I have been using a Fuji W 180/5.6, inside lettering on my 5x7. Pleased with it so far...I just traveled a month with the 180mm and a Computar Symmetrigon 210mm/6.3 on an old Eastman View No.2. No front tilt, but lots of front rise which was no problem for either lens.

[Eric Woodbury]

Not among the choices listed, but I use the Fujinon A 180mm/9. Not fast, but it covers well and is sure light weight.

[Drew Wiley]

Optically, the Fuji A 180/9 would unquestionably be the pick of the litter.

[Vaughn]

Not among the choices listed, but I use the Fujinon A 180mm/9. Not fast, but it covers well and is sure light weight.

The newer Fuji W 180mm (outside lettering) has a little more coverage than the Fuji A 180mm (about 30mm), but being in a Copal 0, the Fuji A makes a great traveling lens. One would just keep the front movements a little more mellow.

A graph of recent Fujis coverage (outside lettering):

[Dan Fromm]

Nice list, Vaughn, but it is a little incomplete. Joe McGloin's site has information on more Fuji lenses, including directions for recognizing them, but is much less concise.