360mm Lenses for 8x10

[sperdynamite]

What was the design impetus for 360mm lenses for 8x10 when 300mm was so close relatively? I think some of my favorite 8x10 photographers used 360s, but I personally have only had the opportunity to use 300mm or 250mm lenses.

I'm planning on purchasing an Intrepid 8x10 II and I'm building a kit out. I'm going to pick up a Fuji 250/6.7 and likely a Fuji or Schneider 360 Plasmat. However I've shot some wonderful 300mm lenses too. If I had to guess, a 360 just gives you a little more umph when it comes to a close portrait, and a little less distortion in faces. Similar to the difference between a 50mm lens and a 58mm.

Is that about right? Do you have a favorite 360mm lens? I'd love to see images or hear about experiences.

[Luis-F-S]

I have both 12" and 14" Dagors. The 14" is the MC in black Compur, the latest one made which I bought new in 1988. When I photograph, I nearly always use the 12" Golden Dagor instead of the 14". If you insist on a 14" I'd get a Commercial Ektar NOT a modern plasmat! For portrait distances, you can always use a 14" Artar if you really need that length. L

[Vaughn]

I use a Fuji W 360mm lens -- for both 8x10 and 11x14 (needs to be at least f22 to cover 11x14 well). It is a big beast, though...something to consider. All landscapes, so not familiar with portraits with the 360mm. A Fuji W 300mm and the Fuji W 250/6.7 are my main 8x10 lenses.

[Eric Leppanen]

When I shot 8x10 in the field I used a Fuji 360A f/10, which is the cat's meow for a field 360 (small and light with lots of coverage and a relatively low vibration Copal 1 shutter) if you don't mind paying a small fortune. I also used for awhile a huge 360 Sironar S f/6.8, which I preferred optically (a smidge sharper with a bit more contrast, although to be honest there's not enough of a difference with the Fuji to reflect in most real world prints). Focusing 8x10 with a f/5.6 or f/6.8 lens is a lot of fun (and makes sunrise focusing easier) so I liked to use the huge plasmat when I wasn't too far from the car.

Large lenses with Copal 3 shutters introduce significant shutter kick which a lightweight camera such as the Intrepid may not like very much.

I've owned a couple copies of the APO Symmar 360 over the years, for some reason I didn't find them quite as sharp as either the Rodenstock or Fuji.

I shoot LF for mostly landscapes and architecture. I don't do LF portraiture.

[Mark Sampson]

In the days of LF studio photography, there was a market for many focal lengths.
When I used 8x10 for personal work, I preferred a 14" lens for its perspective- a 12" lens was just too close to my preferred 10" Wide Field Ektar. That's just me. (On the job, we used a 12" Schneider Symmar-S with superb results.)
For your purposes, I'd look for 14-3/4" Ilex-Calumet Caltar (one of which I also used on the job). A very fine lens that is under-appreciated and may not be too expensive.

[Alan9940]

Don't know about the Mark II version of the Intrepid 8x10, but I have a Mark I and I wouldn't dream of mounting either of the two 360mm Plasmat's I own on it. I use a Fuji 360 A.

[John Kasaian]

I started out with a 14"/360mm because it was the only second hand lens in a shutter that covered 8x10 which I could afford purchase
If I lost all my lenses tomorrow, except for one, I could get along nicely if that one lens were a 14"/360mm

[neil poulsen]

I have both 12" and 14" Dagors. The 14" is the MC in black Compur, the latest one made which I bought new in 1988. When I photograph, I nearly always use the 12" Golden Dagor instead of the 14". If you insist on a 14" I'd get a Commercial Ektar NOT a modern plasmat! For portrait distances, you can always use a 14" Artar if you really need that length. L

Luis,

What's your rationale behind some of these recommendations. For example, WHY do you recommend a Tessar design over a 14", modern Plasmat design? Why would you select a Golden Dagor 12" over the Kern f8? (I gather that your 14" Dagor is the f8.) Etc.

[Bernice Loui]

Intrepid 8x10 MK2 list a weight of 2.5 Kg, Schneider 360mm f6.8 Symmar in Copal shutter list a weight of 1.6 kg.

What might be the consequences of this?


Bernice

[Vaughn]

FYI...My Fuji W 360mm weighs 1.6 kg with metal Sinar lensboard and both caps on.