Schneider Kreuznach Symmar-S 135mm f/5.6... Good for 4x5 Newbie?

[BTilson]

Hello all,

I came across a seemingly very good deal on a mint Schneider-Kreuznach Symmar-S 135mm f/5.6 lens. I haven't been able to find much info on the lens, but was wondering if it would make a good first 4x5 lens? I understand it's on the slightly wide side of a "normal" lens which sounds ideal to me, but I am unsure about the coverage it will provide for 4x5. Could anyone provide any input on that for me?

Thanks a ton!

[eric black]

I started out with a 115mm Rodenstock lens that most would also consider widish. My most used lens lengths are 110- 150mm so I would consider 135mm a great starter length.

[BTilson]

Thanks Eric!

[Mark Sampson]

You can hardly do better than a Symmar-S. There's also a great deal of information about all kinds of LF lenses on the front page of this site.

[BradS]

The 135mm Symmar-S is one of my most used lenses. It is a great lens.

[BrianShaw]

The 135mm Symmar-S is one of my most used lenses. It is a great lens.

ditto

[Tim Povlick]

Agree with others 135 should be a good f/l. Some data on this lens is at:

http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/...5,6-135mm.html

G/L

_ .. --
TiM

[aduncanson]

Sounds like a great place to start to me. I believe that some Symmar-S lenses are multicoated, some not, and that the Multicoated ones will be clearly marked. Non-multicoated lenses may require a little more care in shading the lens in difficult situations. The very newest designs may provide better coverage, but other than that you are unlikely to see any differences in the results from the latest design and a Multicoated Symmar-S unless your technique is perfect and conditions are just right. Coverage of the 135 Symmar-S should be adequate for most purposes other than highly corrected architecture or table top illustration.

Good luck

[BTilson]

Thanks! I doubt I'll be needing any truly excessive movements, as my main interest is landscape photography. Architecture and tabletop work are both very uninteresting to me, so I think I should be fine.

Thanks again everyone.

[Archphoto]

Will have to test my 3.5/135mm Planar in July to see what comes out......

Your Symmar is a lot newer, I have the 150mm, and will be razor sharp with very good contrast.
A great choise !

Peter