your favorite 90mm lens?

[jamie c]

I know this sort of thread gets posted every once in a while, but I'd like to re-visit the topic as I am in the market for a 4x5 90mm, and would like to hear what people regularly use and/or swear by.

thanks for any help.

[Mike1234]

For what format and how much movement needed for that format?

[rdenney]

For what format and how much movement needed for that format?

He did say 4x5.

But he didn't describe his application. I regularly use a Super Angulon 90/5.6 and I never swear at it. I doubt I would have any complaint with the offerings from Fuji, Nikon, or Rodenstock, either. That's just the lens that came to me at the time I was looking for it.

If I was wanting a lens to fold up in a Speed Graphic, however, none of those would work. Then, the 90mm Wolly that is in a box somewhere would be the proper choice. And the 90/5.6 SA is not exactly small and light.

Rick "it depends on the requirements" Denney

[Ron Marshall]

I have a 90mm f8 Nikon that I am very happy with. I don't find f8 too dark, and it is fairly light weight.

[Roger Thoms]

I have a F8 Super Angulon that I really like for 4x5 and they are plentiful on the used market.

Roger

[bqw]

I have a F8 Super Angulon that I really like for 4x5 and they are plentiful on the used market.

Roger

I just got an elderly Angulon 90/6.8 for ~US$100, but haven't used it yet.

[jnantz]

i have a SA90mm f5.6 or f8 ( i think ) chrome barrel.
i got it from keh a long time ago, and ... its ok.
it is pretty big compared to the 2 tiny 90mm lenses i used before ...
one was a wollensak air corps raptar with a funky colored dot on the lens
and the other was a 12.5 wollensak exwa gotten when the raptar was
in the shop being filled with beard clippings ... both offereed a ton of movements
( i ran out of camera before i ran out of circle ) and were used on a rail camera
...i bought the SA because the shutter seemed more reliable not really
for any other reason.

[Aender Brepsom]

I have tried a Super Angulon 5.6/90mm, a Grandagon-N 6.8/90mm and a Grandagon-N 4.5/90mm (and had a SA 8/90mm on a 6x17 Gaoersi). All of them performed extraordinarily well in terms of image quality, but the Grandagon-N 4.5/90mm was the one I liked best. If weight, bulk and money are important, I'd take the Grandagon-N 6.8/90mm, as it is the best compromise.

The answers here won't be very helpful I suppose, as everybody has different opinions. Fact is that all modern lenses from any of the 4 major manufacturers (Schneider Kreuznach, Rodenstock, Nikon, Fujinon) will be excellent. Things like weight, filter size and price will probably be more important the performance differences. Don't forget the Caltars; they are rebranded Grandagons and usually less expensive, although every bit as good as their cousins.

[ki6mf]

I second Aender on the Grandagon N 4.5/90. I use it for landscapes and it works extremely well.

[IanG]

Like Aender I have a SA f5.6 90mm (chrome) and a newer f6.8 90mm Grandagon both are superb lenes, I prefer the Grandagon, it's Multicoated but I had it first and I guess taht's why The 90mm SA was for a 6x17 camera, now it stays in the UK.

I also use a 90mm Angulon for hand-held work with a Crown Graphic, it's not bad as long as there's enough light to use it well stopped down.

Ian