Recommended lens for Chamonix 8x10 for portrait/landscape

[Steven Ferson]

Hello,

I recently purchased a Chamonix 8x10 and the fuji 250 f6.7 as a first lens.

I did an extensive research on the 300 to 360 mm options for a second lens. I am considering a 360 mm to avoid perspective distortion in headshots and general photography/landscapes. 360 mm seems to be expensive or heavy or both.

It probably doesn’t make sense to put a symmar 360 on the front of a lightweight field camera…?

What is your lens recommendation for a 360 or 14” on a chamonix 8x10 for portrait and landscape?

I am thinking about the Kowa graphic 360 f9, the 14” commercial ektar or the fuji W 360 f6,3.
There is little info on how the kowa graphic draws and i haven’t found the weight of the commercial ektar yet. Based on its weight, the fuji is probably a better option than a symmar, but at the double of the price, i consider it overpriced (1200€ Or 600-800€ + import taxes).

Or is it better to forget about a 360mm and look for a g-claron 305 or something else?

Thanks for your advice!

Steven

[ic-racer]

I'd hope the front of a Chamonix 8x10 would hold a big 360.

I have a Shen Hao, with what seems to be a more robust front standard, and it can handle a big 360.

[Alan9940]

The Fuji W 360/6.3 is certainly smaller and lighter than a Schneider Symmar 360, but not by much. The Fuji 360 is still a chunk of glass. If you'd like, I can weigh mine and let ya know. The lightest and smallest lens in this range is the Fuji 360A, but these are very scarce and quite expensive. If you decide on the 300mm route, your options will open up a bit. The 300 plasmats aren't particularly small or light, but I can't image the Chamonix couldn't handle one. IIRC, Ben Horne uses (or used) a Nikkor 300/5.6 on his Chamonix Alpinist. If you want to go really small in the 300 range, there's the Nikon 300M or the Fuji 300C.

[angusparker]

The Fuji W 360/6.3 is certainly smaller and lighter than a Schneider Symmar 360, but not by much. The Fuji 360 is still a chunk of glass. If you'd like, I can weigh mine and let ya know. The lightest and smallest lens in this range is the Fuji 360A, but these are very scarce and quite expensive. If you decide on the 300mm route, your options will open up a bit. The 300 plasmats aren't particularly small or light, but I can't image the Chamonix couldn't handle one. IIRC, Ben Horne uses (or used) a Nikkor 300/5.6 on his Chamonix Alpinist. If you want to go really small in the 300 range, there's the Nikon 300M or the Fuji 300C.

The Fujinon A360 f10 is an ideal lens for a lighter 8x10 but as mentioned hard to find and expensive. The plasmats are heavy but have good coverage and better max apertures. The Nikon M or Fujinon C 300mms are very small and have just enough coverage - not going to give you big movements.


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[Kiwi7475]

The Chamonix handles the Nikkor SW 150 without issues so it shouldn’t have problems with any of the larger 360 mm options you’re discussing here….but if you want light, a g-claron 355mm would work great, and give you large movements; no need to go for far more expensive options….

[Lachlan 717]

Are you sure you want a Plasmat for portraits?

[Alan9940]

The Chamonix handles the Nikkor SW 150 without issues so it shouldn’t have problems with any of the larger 360 mm options you’re discussing here….but if you want light, a g-claron 355mm would work great, and give you large movements; no need to go for far more expensive options….

I've never seen or handled any Chamonix camera, but I'd be willing to bet that their 8x10 may moan a bit with my Schneider Symmar-S 360/6.8 hanging on the front. Even my Deardorff slips a bit, unless I crank down on the knobs. The 355 G-Claron is a great suggestion that I forgot about.

[ic-racer]

I saw this on the internet. 1000mm Apo-Germinar/Copal 3 on an 8x10 Chamonix.

[Greg]

Since probably around the early 1980s, I have been using a Calumet 20" (508mm) f/7 Ilex Caltar. Wide open for 8x10 portraits back in the 1980s. Stopped down and use it on my 11x14 Chamonix with movements. The front Chamonix standard holds it without any problems. The maximum aperture of f/7 is amazingly bright on the GG.

[Tin Can]

https://www.chamonixviewcamera.com/a...es/lenssupport

My S11 Studio Deardorff doesn't need it

Tested to 20 lb