Nikon Nikkor SW 90mm f/8 vs. 90mm f/4.5?

[Darryl Baird]

$600 is a good price for the 4.5, with a great deal of patience and luck you might get one cheaper...the f/8 models will fetch nearly the same level usually. Demand is higher.

I had to pass on the 90/4.5, as it's price went way above $400 in the final hour, ended up selling for $600. IMHO, that is nuts, considering that mint ones sold for $400 in past eBay auctions.

The f/8 version is still up for grabs though. Maybe that will fetch a more sane price.

[Darryl Baird]

I'll look at KEH from time to time, to gauge if prices are moving up or down.... these lenses are still in fairly high demand it seems.

[Deepak Kumar]

Bought one in pristine condition for $900 from ebay Eight months ago. If selling for

$600 or around, It's a very good deal. Though I go for one or two day hike weigth

never bother me. As when I get tired I take rest and then move on. It is not like you

can't hike with it. (everything in LF weight a ton, specially tripod)


Secondly it's exceptionlly sharp lens. Brighter view makes it possible to compose,

focus & shoot in fast moving evening light.

Flip side for me, I will have to move to larger filter system from my current Cokin P.

Though after cutting one holder's two front slots I can use it with CPL and one Grad.



Just my two cents

Deepak Kumar

[Nick_3536]

I had to pass on the 90/4.5, as it's price went way above $400 in the final hour, ended up selling for $600. IMHO, that is nuts, considering that mint ones sold for $400 in past eBay auctions.

When B&H was clearing out the Nikon stock that kept the used prices down. I bought a new 4.5 for not much more then $600 [I can't remember exactly how much]. Used from KEH at the time was maybe $20 less and KEH had cut their prices at the time.

I doubt B&H has any left so that means the used market is the only source left.

[Drew Wiley]

I have a 90/4.5 for architectural work, although I have sometimes used it in the field.
Indoors I appreciate the extra brightness, since I generally keep a Schneider 82mm
center filter attached. It is a superb lens, allegedly the best 90 ever. A bit too heavy
for some of the lighter-built 4x5's to hold steady, however.

[Ed Richards]

It is not just the brightness - the 4.5 has noticeably less DOF, which makes it easier to focus than f 8 or even 6.8. Combined with the brightness, it is much easier to focus in dim light. With the larger filters and weight, it is much less portable.

[Mike Herring]

The Rodenstock Grandagon f4.5 is just as sharp. I have used both of these lenses. When I bought my Grandagon it was hundreds of dollars more because B&H bought all remaining Nikon stock. I bought the Nikon 65mm f4, 120mm f5.6 AM, and 210 f5.6 and I am very pleased with all of them. The only lens I like more is my 150mm f5.6 Sironar-S. It is the sharpest lens I have ever used on a 4x5. It reminds me of the Leica Macro-Elmarit 100mm f2.8, which is perhaps the sharpest lens I have ever used.
Happy shooting,
Mike

[Stephen Willard]

From my limited experience and testing, I have found smaller glass is always sharper then bigger glass. This would lead me to conclude that the f8 will be sharper than the f4.5.

[Mike Herring]

Stephen,
I usually agree with you regarding slower optics being superior. I have not found this to be the case with Leitz optics. They are simply sterling wide-open or 1 stop down.

Take care,
Mike

[hanshan]

Where to buy a 85mm UV filter for 90 f4.5? Is 85mm a normal size for UV filters?