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Thread: 3 lens setup for 8x10: 450, 300, and ?

  1. #1

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    3 lens setup for 8x10: 450, 300, and ?

    I will be getting into 8x10 for the first time soon. From my 4x5 kit I have a Nikkor 300M that I understand covers 8x10. I just picked up the Fujinon 450 mm lens also. So I am thinking about something on the wider end to round out the kit, probably a 240 mm lens. I don't want an antique, so Fuji, Nikon, Rodenstock, Schneider, Caltar is my focus.

    I do mostly outdoor landscape and abstract nature/architecture stuff so I use a fair amount of rise and tilt. I have looked at the table posted which lists coverage but some say not to worry so much because the coverage is ample at working apertures.

    So the question is which 240 mm lens would you recommend given the above?

    Thanks.

  2. #2

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    Re: 3 lens setup for 8x10: 450, 300, and ?

    Okay, I will bite.

    Personally I like my 240mm Schneider APO Symmar alot, but its big and bulky. If you are happy with the Fuji, look at the Fuji 240mm A F/9 its the same size as your 450C. I have both and use the Schneider close to the car and the Fuji when hiking.

    Blume

  3. #3
    MIke Sherck's Avatar
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    Re: 3 lens setup for 8x10: 450, 300, and ?

    Personally, I think that 240mm is too close to 300mm. Back when I had a 240mm Caltar IIN, the other lens in the 8x10 kit was a 360mm Red Dot Artar and they made a good combination. The outfit I'm trying to sell now matches a Fuji 420mm along with a 12" Ektar, which is also a nice combination. If I feel the need to go wide, my later 210mm Fuji *just* covers 8x10 and is fine for the very few times I've needed something that wide. Were it me, I'd go for the older Fuji 210mm with lettering on the front of the lens or something similar which covers with some movement.

    Mike
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  4. #4

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    Re: 3 lens setup for 8x10: 450, 300, and ?

    well, nota 240 but....

    165mm super angulon. plenty of movements and super sharp and nice. try it, you will love it. i use 165 and 375 mostly....i have others to play with but these see most of my 8x10 time. i have a 240 schneider that i use if i need to go light as the 165 is a bear.
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  5. #5

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    Re: 3 lens setup for 8x10: 450, 300, and ?

    I have done some searching on this as well in the meantime. Looks like the Fujinon 240A has a lot of fans because of quality, light weight, and small size. I don't see many of those used but it looks like Badger sells them.

  6. #6

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    Re: 3 lens setup for 8x10: 450, 300, and ?

    Quote Originally Posted by jeroldharter View Post
    I have done some searching on this as well in the meantime. Looks like the Fujinon 240A has a lot of fans because of quality, light weight, and small size. I don't see many of those used but it looks like Badger sells them.
    Hi Jerold,

    I would tend to agree with Mike about the 240 being a bit close to the 300. However, it is the focal length I use most often on my 8x10 in spite of having a 305 G-Claron.

    In addition to the Fujinon 240A, the 240 G-Claron or 240 Germinar are both great lenses as well. The Germinar is a rarer lens to find but it does show up every so often on the bay.

    You certainly won't go astray with the Fujinon 240A. Here's Kerry Thalmann's thoughts on the lens:

    http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat/future.htm

    Lastly, dealing with Badger Graphics will ensure a good buying experience as Jeff is a great person to deal with.

    Cheers
    Life in the fast lane!

  7. #7

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    Re: 3 lens setup for 8x10: 450, 300, and ?

    I get a lot of use from my 240 G Claron. The other lens I have around that focal length is a 10" WF Ektar, which I absolutely love (if I don't have to carry it far from the trunk of the car!)
    The 240 G Claron though, is hard to beat!
    I also agree that 300mm is pretty close to the 240mm to be a really useful stable-mate. I use a 14" (360mm) and that gives me a wee bit more spacing than a 12"
    "I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White

  8. #8
    Drew Wiley
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    Re: 3 lens setup for 8x10: 450, 300, and ?

    My routine combination is 450 (Fuji C), 360 (Fuji A), and 240 (G-Claron or Fuji A).
    This is about an equal spacing, with quite a bit of coverage in the respective focal
    lengths. Once in awhile I also pack a 600 Fuji C. A lot like John's kit noted above.

  9. #9

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    Re: 3 lens setup for 8x10: 450, 300, and ?

    If your heart is set on a 240mm to go with the other two, I'd recommend the Germinar - it's fabulous and has a lot more room for movements than say a Fuji 240mm. Personally, for a 3 lens kit with a 300 and a 450, I find a 210mm fits better than a 240. The king of lightweight 210mms for 8x10 must be the Kowa Graphic (or a 210 Computar) - extremely sharp, tiny and has heaps of room for movements.

  10. #10

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    Re: 3 lens setup for 8x10: 450, 300, and ?

    I have been using a 210W for the past years, it does not give you a huge amount of shift and it is rather bulky, but it is a great lens that is more in line with 450-300-?
    I sits in a Copal 3 shutter.
    It is the only lens that does not fit into my standard Technika plates due to the size of the rear element: it wouldn't fit through the hole of Technika opening, so I will have to have a look for a diferent lens for new Shen Hao 4x5.

    Great lens, tack sharp and easy to use on my Sinar P2 4x5/8x10.

    Peter

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