Perhaps no one else may need to dodge the particular proverbial bullet that I recently did, but I’ll share my experience briefly, just in case.
As posted last month, I had started looking for a wider lens to complement the 210mm on my 4x5 Tachiraha. I was strongly inclined towards a 135 (roughly equivalent to 35mm on a 35mm camera), but was sort of considering a possible 120 (from which I’d likely be cropping) for the greater coverage—i.e., lens movements—afforded by some designs.
I did find a 135 that met my needs, and just as well. Before the lens arrived, I was measuring extension on my camera and was dismayed to find that it would not allow the 135 to focus at infinity—the back and the front were too far apart at their minimum! Well, that was mistaken; after a moments shock I recalled that the back can be moved forward, after which the actual minimum is just barely less than the lens requires to focus at infinity.
Yes, a recessed lens board could be used. The slight disadvantage in my present situation would be that the camera would not close with the lens on; it does with each of my lenses when the lens is reversed. Handy sometimes.
Anyway, how focal length—both at the short and long end—will work with a given camera’s minimum and maximum extensions is a consideration to bear in mind.
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