Need recommendations on f/4.5 lens of about 150mm

[Kiwi7475]

If you spend some time searching for "Petzval F3" (or F4 if you prefer) at the auction site you will find many options for old petzvals and projection lenses of various price ranges covering around 150mm. It doesn't have to be a Dallmeyer or any of the major names, I'm sure any of those will be plenty good for the goals you describe, and at ~F3 about a stop faster than F4.5.

[paulbarden]

Look into Kodak Anastigmat No 31 or 32. 140mm and 160mm focal lengths, if I recall correctly. Might meet your needs. Quite affordable if you use one in barrel rather than shutter. Excellent lens for its era.

For years, I used a Kodak Anastigmat No. 31 (5.5") for 4x5 wet plate work and found it quite excellent. It's relatively low contrast is a very good match for the tonal scale of Collodion. I bought mine for about $100 in a working Compur dial-set shutter.

[Mark Sampson]

Perhaps you can find an adapter board to use your 152/4.5 (in its Speed Graphic board) on the Sinar. That would be the best of both worlds. I've never seen such a adapter, but they may exist: if not, a repair shop could easily make one. Maybe Richard Ritter or SK Grimes could help.

kiwi7475's advice about Petzval-design brass lenses is good- if you want the 19th-century look popular among wet-platers.

[westpost]

If you plan on using both cameras it’s a lot more convenient to have separate lenses on each respective lens board.

The plan is to keep only the Sinar.

[Daniel Unkefer]

I'd put your 152mm on a flat Norma Green Board, might have to cut out the right sized hole though. Norma boards do pop up on Ebay fairly frequently. Maybe one will come with your Norma?

[westpost]

kiwi7475's advice about Petzval-design brass lenses is good- if you want the 19th-century look popular among wet-platers.

Can I use a barrel lens with the Sinar Norma? I don't think it has a focal plane shutter.

[Daniel Unkefer]

I'd get a lens in shutter, or refit the one you already have. Sinar Norma made a shutter, it's generally expensive.

[Dan Fromm]

Can I use a barrel lens with the Sinar Norma? I don't think it has a focal plane shutter.

There are several ways to use barrel lenses. For long exposures, anything opaque in front of the lens will do. Hats are often suggested. Remove, count time, replace.

For short exposures, depending on the lens, an adapter to hold the lens in front of a leaf shutter or a leaf shutter in front of the lens. I have both types.

[BrianShaw]

Can I use a barrel lens with the Sinar Norma? I don't think it has a focal plane shutter.

Yes. You’d have to use a lens cap or fedora to expose your film/plate. With long exposure times that is easy.

[Kiwi7475]

Can I use a barrel lens with the Sinar Norma? I don't think it has a focal plane shutter.

You’re shooting at ISO 1, a 3D printed lens cap will be fine!