Schneider Symmar-S 210m F5.6 Lens - Will this work for 8x10?

[Dhanner]

I just acquired an 8x10 camera and would like to know if any has experience with this lens on 8x10? If so, how was it?

Originally I didn't think it would cover 8x10 and was considering looking for another 210mm that had mover coverage. However, after putting it on the camera it seems to cover it OK even with some movement. Now I'm not sure if I need a different one or not.

[Bernice Loui]

Properly cover 8x10, no. Illumination is NOT the same as proper image circle for a given sheet film format.. Previously on LFF..
https://www.largeformatphotography.i...SYMMAR-S-210MM

Reality is proper lenses for 8x10 are few and no longer the bargains they once were.


Bernice

I just acquired an 8x10 camera and would like to know if any has experience with this lens on 8x10? If so, how was it?

Originally I didn't think it would cover 8x10 and was considering looking for another 210mm that had mover coverage. However, after putting it on the camera it seems to cover it OK even with some movement. Now I'm not sure if I need a different one or not.

[Alan9940]

The image cirlce of this lens at f/22 is 294mm. Therefore, not enough to cover 8x10 at infinity focus. However, other factors will play into its ability to cover 8x10 such as bellows extension and shooting aperture. If, for example, you're shooting at 1:1 at f/45 you might get away with it. Also, keep in mind that the quality of the image decreases as you reach the limits of the image circle.

[Dhanner]

Properly cover 8x10, no. Illumination is NOT the same as proper image circle for a given sheet film format.. Previously on LFF..
https://www.largeformatphotography.i...SYMMAR-S-210MM

Reality is proper lenses for 8x10 are few and no longer the bargains they once were.


Bernice

That is what I was afraid of, thanks Bernice.

[Dhanner]

The image cirlce of this lens at f/22 is 294mm. Therefore, not enough to cover 8x10 at infinity focus. However, other factors will play into its ability to cover 8x10 such as bellows extension and shooting aperture. If, for example, you're shooting at 1:1 at f/45 you might get away with it. Also, keep in mind that the quality of the image decreases as you reach the limits of the image circle.

Thanks, I will leave that one for the 5x7 & 4x5.

[Tin Can]

Bernice is correct

However I break rules if possible

Since I shoot studio only, it is useful when close and if I can vignette even better

[rawitz]

I just acquired an 8x10 camera and would like to know if any has experience with this lens on 8x10? If so, how was it?

Originally I didn't think it would cover 8x10 and was considering looking for another 210mm that had mover coverage. However, after putting it on the camera it seems to cover it OK even with some movement. Now I'm not sure if I need a different one or not.

More coverage does not mean sharpness in the corners. The elder lenses like Fujinon-w have impressive 80` degrees light-coverage, but not for sharpness in the corners (only from minimum 32f).
I use my Symmar-S 210 on my 8x10 camera with excellent sharpness from 16f on even in the extreme corners. Not much room for movement as correctly said here. Schneider lenses are known to be very restrictive with IC specs.

And yes there are modern lenses like Sironar-W 210 or Super-Symmar HM 210 with 80`IC and with both coverage and excellent corner-sharpness, but they are unreasonably expensive compared to the normal 72`or 75`degree lenses like Symmar-S, Symmar, or Sironar-N and others.

regards
Rainer

[paulbarden]

The 240mm Symmar-S covers 8x10 with room to spare. It’s an inexpensive lens. I paid a dollar per mm for mine, in a Copal shutter, fully functional.

[Daniel Unkefer]

Cuyahoga Falls 8x10 HP5 PMK 240 Symmar Ektalure R by Nokton48, on Flickr

240mm chrome Symmar Norma Barrel Mount 8x10 Norma HP5 PMK+ Contact print on 8x10 Ektalure R paper, processed in Ektonol. Covers no problem.
Try the 210mm for your purposes. Betcha it might work (Maybe). Try it! In other words, TEST IT and see for yourself and your uses. Sometimes I like corner vignetting. Depends on my goal; Cheap Great lens too; I paid $200 to Glenn Evans for mine. Worth every penny

[Drew Wiley]

Short answer, NO. The 210 S has a fairly large image circle, so should be OK for 5X7. I just can't imagine it being realistic for 8X10 unless you don't mind very small stops with funky corner performance. I shot one of those many years for 4X5. But moving from a 210 S to a 240 S is like going from a pony to a hippopotamus - one big clunker to haul around unless you're in a studio. The far more portable 240/250 lenses I have successfully used on 8x10 include the 250/6.7 Fuji W, the 250/9 Fuji A, and the 240/9 G-Claron.