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Thread: Longest focal length telephoto lens with bellows draw under 300 mm

  1. #1

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    Longest focal length telephoto lens with bellows draw under 300 mm

    I am looking for the longest focal length lens on my 4x5. The challenge is that I am limited to 12" / 300 mm of bellows draw (black edition Intrepid). I am less concerned about weight, bulk, and price, but do care about optical quality. I only need minimal movements.

    So far I have been thinking about two telephotos:

    Fujinon T 400mm f8
    Nikon 360mm f/8 Nikkor-T ED BT Copal 1

    Are there others I should be considering? Is there anything longer out there?

  2. #2
    Do or do not. There is no try.
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    Re: Longest focal length telephoto lens with bellows draw under 300 mm

    The 500mm f/9.5 Tele-Congo has a 287mm flange focal length according to my notes, which would give you a closest focus of around 20 feet or so without an extended lens board. It just covers 4x5 (160mm IC at f/22) so no movements to speak of. Copal 1, 67mm filters. Also sold under the Osaka label, I believe.

  3. #3

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    Re: Longest focal length telephoto lens with bellows draw under 300 mm

    Quote Originally Posted by smeylan View Post
    I am looking for the longest focal length lens on my 4x5. The challenge is that I am limited to 12" / 300 mm of bellows draw (black edition Intrepid). I am less concerned about weight, bulk, and price, but do care about optical quality. I only need minimal movements.

    So far I have been thinking about two telephotos:

    Fujinon T 400mm f8
    Nikon 360mm f/8 Nikkor-T ED BT Copal 1

    Are there others I should be considering? Is there anything longer out there?
    I'm looking at those two as well. The T400 is about half the price so that will probably be my choice.

  4. #4

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    Re: Longest focal length telephoto lens with bellows draw under 300 mm

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Goldstein View Post
    The 500mm f/9.5 Tele-Congo has a 287mm flange focal length according to my notes, which would give you a closest focus of around 20 feet or so without an extended lens board. It just covers 4x5 (160mm IC at f/22) so no movements to speak of. Copal 1, 67mm filters. Also sold under the Osaka label, I believe.
    Interesting. Although bit limiting it seems with massive fall off.

  5. #5
    Do or do not. There is no try.
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    Re: Longest focal length telephoto lens with bellows draw under 300 mm

    I forgot to mention the Congo (Osaka) 400mm f/8. Compared to the Fujinon, it's about the same size, has a slightly shorter flange focal length, and weighs 150gm (almost 6oz) less. Coverage is less than the Fujinon but more than adequate for 4x5.

  6. #6

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    Re: Longest focal length telephoto lens with bellows draw under 300 mm

    The Komura telephoto lenses have flange distances of 221mm for the 400mm f8 lens and 258mm for the 500mm f7, the 400mm has a 190mm image circle and the 500mm 210mm.
    Jim

  7. #7

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    Re: Longest focal length telephoto lens with bellows draw under 300 mm

    Quote Originally Posted by aphcl84 View Post
    The Komura telephoto lenses have flange distances of 221mm for the 400mm f8 lens and 258mm for the 500mm f7, the 400mm has a 190mm image circle and the 500mm 210mm.
    Oooo, now we're talkin'. What's the catch? There has to be a catch.

    EDIT: I can't find any real specs anywhere. Do you have a document or link?

  8. #8

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    Re: Longest focal length telephoto lens with bellows draw under 300 mm

    If you are into older tech, the Wollensak 15" (381 mm) tele-Raptar/tele-Optar is a very fine lens. It's got about 7.5" flange focus, and nearly covers 8x10. They used to be dirt cheap, but I see that the price is going up. I like it so much I have three of them in shutters and a couple that aren't.
    Thanks, but I'd rather just watch:
    Large format: http://flickr.com/michaeldarnton
    Mostly 35mm: http://flickr.com/mdarnton
    You want digital, color, etc?: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stradofear

  9. #9

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    Re: Longest focal length telephoto lens with bellows draw under 300 mm

    With regards to the Komura, there isn't a catch, they just do it.

    I still use mine on my wooden 4x5" folder sparingly, it's heavy and care needs to be taken, but it does the job. Below, is a picture of it on my Toyo 45G.

    Mick.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Berlebach_003.jpg  

  10. #10
    Drew Bedo's Avatar
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    Re: Longest focal length telephoto lens with bellows draw under 300 mm

    Look at the old Wollensak 15' (380mm) f/5.6 Tele-Optar. Some are in barrel and some are in an Alphax shutter.

    Back focus at infinity is around 809 inches. These were originally used on press cameras I think, so front movements, while available, are limited. For some shooters, these limitations may be outweighed by the f/5.6 max aperture.

    These lenses come up on -Bay from time to time, sometimes in a nice sturdy wooden box.

    Another similar option in an older lens might be the Schneider Tele-Xenars.
    Drew Bedo
    www.quietlightphoto.com
    http://www.artsyhome.com/author/drew-bedo




    There are only three types of mounting flanges; too big, too small and wrong thread!

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