Longest focal length telephoto lens with bellows draw under 300 mm

[smeylan]

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?

[Steve Goldstein]

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.

[GRAYnomad]

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.

[GRAYnomad]

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.

[Steve Goldstein]

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.

[aphcl84]

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.

[GRAYnomad]

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?

[aphcl84]

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?

Jim, where did you get this information?

No catch other than the size and weight and lack of multicoating. I have several data sheets for the Komura lenses.

[aphcl84]

Links to the full size scans.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...fc7162f0_k.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...06d42126_k.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...cd930b5a_k.jpg

[Mick Fagan]

Interesting information on the Komura lenses, however my 400mm telephoto doesn't appear on those sheets.

Mine is 400mm f/6.3 and is mounted into a Copal No. 3 shutter. I just popped it onto the electronic kitchen scales and including the genuine Technika lens board, it weighs 898 grams.

I seem to remember a special spacer between the shutter and the lens board being a requirement, which mine has, aluminium it is, presumably keep the weight at bay. I think if you found one of these Komura lenses, see if you can get it mounted into a lens board ready to go.

Mick.

Edit: if you go back a page and look at the picture I posted, you can see the aluminium spacer between the lens board and the shutter, it should look like that if you find the 400 T f/6.3 unit.

Another edit: the filter size is 67mm.