What small lightweight lens for 4x5 backpacking?

[GoodOldNorm]

Hi, please recommend a small lightweight lens for back packing, I will be using a Chamonix 4x5 and making prints no larger than 12x16.

[LabRat]

What focal length do you like???

Steve K

[GoodOldNorm]

What focal length do you like???

Steve K

125mm,135mm or 150mm.

[Tin Can]

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenses4x5.html

[Martin Aislabie]

Look for small aperture lenses - regardless of focal length.

Fuji "A" series and Nikon "M" series lenses are well regarded, small and light - but they are longer focal lengths.

Any of the standard 135mm and 150mm lenses from the big 4 are reasonably small and light.

Small light wide angle lenses are a problem - all the wide angle lenses are fairly heavy due to the amount of glass you need.

Again the thing to look for is nothing with too wide an aperture.

My problem had been not the size or weight of any individual lens, I too have gone for fairly compact lenses, but the number of lenses that I have accumulated.

Also, once you have your lenses, invest in some step-up rings so you only carry one set of filters - it is too easy to fill your bag with lots of filters.

Martin

[Alan9940]

I've been satisfied with the Fujinon-W 125/5.6 and the Fujinon-W 150/6.3 (inside lettering). Both a very small lenses.

[Roberto Nania]

I've been satisfied with the Fujinon-W 125/5.6 and the Fujinon-W 150/6.3 (inside lettering). Both a very small lenses.

Agree, tiny and well made lenses. They weight nothing.

If you didn't already, using wooden film holders will save a lot of weight.

[diversey]

Schneider angulon 90mm/f6.8, symmar 135mm f5.6 and Kodak Ektar 203mm f7.7 are very light and good performers.

[paulbarden]

I second the suggestion for the 203mm Ektar lens. It’s an outstanding performer and it’s tiny and lightweight.

[mmerig]

The Kodak Wide Field Ektars are nice, for example the 135 mm, or 100 mm (no movements). For some reason, old Kodak lenses are expensive these days.