Older 210mm to cover 8x10

[Ron Marshall]

What are the options for a non-current lens about 210mm to cover 8x10. I prefer multicoated, but single is fine.

I am aware of the lenses currently in production, but they are either too heavy or too expensive for my needs.

From what I have read, the Fuji 210mm W f5.6 seems a likely candidate. What are the opinions of people who have used this lens?

Thanks!

[Ole Tjugen]

Don't know about the Fuji, but I use (several) Schneider lenses:

210/6.1 Xenar: Late, single coated, Copal #1, covers 5x7".
210/4.5 Xenar: 70's, single coated, Compound #3, covers 5x7".
210/9 G-Claron: 70's, SC, Copal 1, just covers.
210/5.6 Symmar convertible: 60's, SC, Compur 1, just covers.
210/6.8 Angulon: 30's, uncoated, Compound #3, lots and lots and lots of coverage!

And about half a dozen old barrel lenses...

[David A. Goldfarb]

And there is the 8-1/4"/6.8 Dagor. I have a coated late Gold Dot version, which covers 8x10". Older uncoated ser. iii versions might have more coverage.

[Jim Galli]

Coated Dagor's in a shutter are desireable and expensive but an 8 1/4" will do what you've asked. A cheaper solution is the venerable Schneider G-Claron in Copal 1 shutter. Prices seem to have dropped on the G-Claron's from a few years ago. I've sold perhaps a hundred of them. I would buy them in barrel from printing cameras and install and calibrate them in Copal 1 shutter. I've pretty much stopped because the price of the components actually dropped below what I could sell them for now. More trouble than it's worth. There are LOTS of barrel lenses that would do the job but most people aren't comfortable with a non shuttered lens. The Computar - Kyvytar - Graphic Kowa 210mm f9 lens is the best of all of them but they fetch nutty prices now.

[Jack Flesher]

Graphic Kowa 210mm f9 lens is the best of all of them but they fetch nutty prices now.

And thanks to Jim I was able to get one for a bit South of nutty!

FWIW... I have a 210 f4.5 Xenar in a Copal 3 (with the "s" insert) and it just misses the full 8x10 frame by maybe 1/4" at the corners. But it produces a really sweet, classic look. VERY sharp in the center, starts to fall off nicely about an inch out from the 8x10 corners. It is clearly a very sweet 5x7 or full-plate lens, but could be used on 8x10 if you are willing to crop a bit or don't mind the clips.

PS: In case anybody here is interested in a two-fer, I am going to be selling that lens in a few days with a set of Kowa 305 cells in the shutter. The 210 aperture marks are really close to 1-stop off for 305 and the Kowa has huge coverage -- from what I understand it almost makes 12x20. Again, FWIW...

Cheers,

[Tony Lakin]

Hi Ron
I was lucky enough to pick up a 210mm f9 Computar for around $600 I don't know if this would be within your budget but I am delighted with mine very very sharp and loads of coverage on 10"X8", well worth the 3 month wait for one to appear on Ebay.
Good luck.

[Matt Miller]

I used a 210 6.8 Angulon on 8x10 when I was shooting that format. Looking back, I wish I hadn't sold it. It is probably my favorite lens that I've owned.

[Ole Tjugen]

I used a 210 6.8 Angulon on 8x10 when I was shooting that format. Looking back, I wish I hadn't sold it. It is probably my favorite lens that I've owned.

I really needed mine two weeks ago - I needed 7" of rise in portrait orientation to get the picture I wanted, shooting uphill towards an old building under a very high and steep mountain. The very top of the mountain and the sky above are soft, but that doesn't matter.

[j.e.simmons]

I use a 210mm Rodenstock Sironar - no APN, no N, just plain. It covers well enough if I don't use more than a smidgen of tilt.
juan

[Ron Marshall]

I used a 210 6.8 Angulon on 8x10 when I was shooting that format. Looking back, I wish I hadn't sold it. It is probably my favorite lens that I've owned.

Did you have a coated or uncoated version? How was the contrast?

Am I correct that it covers 83 degrees at f22?