Any recommendation on an 8x10 lens for tabletop and sculpture

[neil poulsen]

If the belief moving "up" to 8x10 will improve table top image quality over 4x5... that is likely no. . . .

I tend to agree with this observation. I thoroughly enjoy photographing with 8x10. But given the expense of lenses, the need to stop down the lens for DOF, thereby engendering long exposures, etc., I reserve my 8x10 for more straightforward photography that doesn't stray outside the limits of my equipment.

For any specialty work like architecture, super-wide pnotos, etc., I can always use 4x5. For example, I have a Fujinon 105mm SW that I prefer over a 90mm SW for landscape photography. These lenses can be found for under 300mm. But the corresponding lens for 8x10 typically costs over $2500. (A 210mm SA.)

[neil poulsen]

I worked with an "odd couple" for many years. A Fujinon 250 6.7 and a G Claron 355 9. A little bit wide and a little bit long. Made very pleasing 11X14s, 16X20s and 20X24s back through them using cameras as enlargers and later with a Beseler 45M converted to 8X10.

Let this combination be so dubbed.

I have the "odd couple," and the two lenses work out well together.

The 250mm f6x7 is inexpensive; yet, it has quite a lot of coverage on 8x10. It's a moderate wide-field lens for this format.

While a bit on the expensive side, the 355mm G-Claron is relatively light-weight, has large coverage stopped down, and is capable of excellent photos. It's a moderate long focal length lens for 8x10.

By contrast, I had a Symmar S 360, and was HEAVY and HUGE! It's filter size was about 120mm. (Jeepers.) I replaced it with the 355mm.

I've had this urge to get a 300mm; but, I've been put off by the expense. So, I just purchased a Turner-Reich, Series II 12" triple-convertible (12", 21", 28mm) f7 lens for less than $300. It's mounted in an Alphax #4 shutter. The lens is factory coated, so It will be interesting to see images that it can produce.

[Tom Monego]

I have done a lot of table top for medical text book, varying between micro instruments to consoles all on 4x5. Console size, a 150 or 135 worked well, when I wanted some distance a 240 G Claron. For small instruments, usually 1:1 or closer I used a 120 Apo ED Macro Nikkor, working distance was tight but the results were worth it. So it would all depend on the size of the sculpture. If your sculptures are small front and rear movements help.