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Thread: Preferences for 150-165mm lenses in 8x10?

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    Preferences for 150-165mm lenses in 8x10?

    Out of the usual suspects (Super Angulon 165/8, Nikkor 150/8, Grandagon 155/6.8 etc) and any other more unusual lenses in that range, what do you like best for colour work in 8x10 - with potential enlargement to maybe 4x? Ideally I'd like to know how you find they perform when you optically print the resultant negs etc. Not so bothered about weight - and not super keen on spending on a Schneider 150SSXL.

    As a secondary topic, have any of you used the older W.A. Dagor or 159/12.5 Wollensak for colour? I'm fully aware that anything above a contact print or 2x enlargement may be very questionable in the edges with these designs, even at deep stops.

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    Vaughn's Avatar
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    Re: Preferences for 150-165mm lenses in 8x10?

    Just the 159/12.5 Wollensak with B&W. I don't know if I have a bad copy, it was dropped, or operator error (more work with it needed, probably), but 'covering' 8x10 must have a different meaning.
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    Re: Preferences for 150-165mm lenses in 8x10?

    I have the Wollensak, but I haven't used it enough to have a good sense of it. A Nikon 150SW would likely be a good choice.
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    Re: Preferences for 150-165mm lenses in 8x10?

    Quote Originally Posted by Vaughn View Post
    Just the 159/12.5 Wollensak with B&W. I don't know if I have a bad copy, it was dropped, or operator error (more work with it needed, probably), but 'covering' 8x10 must have a different meaning.
    Did you use a colour filter to increase sharpness? I must test mine to prepare for use. I have an uncoated one in the drawer with really low contrast, and I suspect it need a yellow filter to sharpen the corners.

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    Re: Preferences for 150-165mm lenses in 8x10?

    5.9” No. 5 Gray Periscope in a COPAL 3. Covers 11x14 with some movements possible. Covering 8x10 is using the sweet spot of this optic.

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    Re: Preferences for 150-165mm lenses in 8x10?

    I have a 165 Angulon (not super), and a 159 Wolly. My preference is the Wolly because the Angulon is too sharp for my current tastes.

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    Re: Preferences for 150-165mm lenses in 8x10?

    Most previous experience with the 155mm f6.8 Grandagon. Has essentially neutral color, optical performance is good from f11 to f32, Contrast is moderate-high for a modern multi-coated lens, Light fall off near the edges for 8x10 IMO is excessive for color transparencies (needs a center filter for 8x10 color transparencies), Image circle is ok for 8x10. This was used as the wide normal on 5x7 for a LONG time before the 150mm f5.6 SSXL replaced it.

    The 150mm f8 Nikkor is similar with slightly higher contrast, but no better than the Grandagon for resolution. It does have a different color rendition than the Grandagon, slightly warmer color rendition (from memory long ago) than the Grandagon. After using both, preferred the Grandagon.

    The 150mm SSXL is the smallest of the modern wide angles, really GOOD optical performance from f11 to f32, essentially neutral color, low distortion, does have light fall off like the others. Having owned and used this lens since 1998, it is essentially very similar to the other modern wide angle lenses exert for size. It does produce visually "snappier" images on film without the higher apparent contrast like what the Nikkor does.

    Recent adder is the 165mm f8 Super Angulon. Only used it on B&W film. Not able to try the color transparency test on this lens as was done decades ago due to how much all that has changed.

    Just not a lot of choices in this focal length that works good for 8x10. There are older and much smaller wide angle lenses that cover 8x10, but they are being pushed to the limits of their image circle of good optical performance and they still have light fall off problems.

    It all goes back to what is needed for the print goals.


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    Bernice

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    Re: Preferences for 150-165mm lenses in 8x10?

    Never shot my 165 Angulon yet

    Now it's on the long list


    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Noel View Post
    I have a 165 Angulon (not super), and a 159 Wolly. My preference is the Wolly because the Angulon is too sharp for my current tastes.
    Tin Can

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    Re: Preferences for 150-165mm lenses in 8x10?

    Depending on the specific sample, it can be good to iffy. Does not really cove 8x10 (despite what some claim that it does. Spec image circle is 275mm @ f22) all that good. Does good as a medium wide on 5x7. It has become the medium wide to carry with the Sinar Norma.


    Bernice


    Quote Originally Posted by Tin Can View Post
    Never shot my 165 Angulon yet
    Now it's on the long list

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    Tin Can's Avatar
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    Re: Preferences for 150-165mm lenses in 8x10?

    Good to know Bernice, in field I now use 5x7

    I may or may not try on bigger format in studio

    If I get bored during 6+more months of lockdown

    Thank you

    Quote Originally Posted by Bernice Loui View Post
    Depending on the specific sample, it can be good to iffy. Does not really cove 8x10 (despite what some claim that it does. Spec image circle is 275mm @ f22) all that good. Does good as a medium wide on 5x7. It has become the medium wide to carry with the Sinar Norma.


    Bernice
    Tin Can

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