wide angle suggestions

[Chuck P.]

I shoot 4x5 and currently only have a 210mm Rodenstock Sironar-N---this is the only lens I have experienced with 4x5. I'm needing a wide angle lens and am looking for suggestions. I don't want a wide angle lens that shows any typical wide angle distortion-----perhaps a lens that stops just short of that. What are some suggestions (I realize a bag bellows is going to be needed)?

Thanks
Chuck

[ic-racer]

90 is probably the most popular. But that is a big jump from 210. A 135 would be less of a jump (and still be far enough from 90). So, I'd say get both 90 and 135. If you go f8 on the 90 they can be pretty cheap. Nearly all LF lenses are corrected well for barrel and pincushion distortion.

[IanG]

The 90mm f5.6 & f8 Supre Angulons and also the f6.8 Grandagons all sell for very reasonable prices second hand.

LF lenses don't suffer the distortion issues typical of many 35mm & 120 SLR camera wide angle lenses, which are retro-telephoto designs. LF wide angles are purer designs, as are rangefinder camera wide angle for smaller formats.

Ian

[Richard Wasserman]

Chuck, I'm a huge fan of the 110mm Super Symmar XL. Massive coverage on 4x5, relatively lightweight and compact, and I find the angle of view very pleasing. Not too wide, and not too long, just right...

[Steve Barber]

Setting your camera up as it would be with a 90mm focused at infinity will tell you how much movement (generally, rise) you can get and if you will need a bag bellows or not. This will, also, give you an idea of how much coverage the lens will need to have to take advantage of the movements your camera can provide. The other issue is how large, bulky, a lens your camera can accept and still give full movements without interference, especially with the rear element. The 90mm Grandagon-N lenses, f4.5 or f6.8, would make a good match to your 210 and would avoid the problems you can have with a 90mm Super-Angulon XL with its larger rear element. The Super-Angulon XL, with its larger image circle, would have more coverage allowing more movement and, therefore, more control over distortion.

I think the 90mm would be as wide as you would want to go. It and a 210 are the lenses I use most; adding a 45cm pretty much covers everything for me except architectural interiors.

[Noah A]

I'm also a big fan of the 110xl. It's extremely sharp and has a ton of coverage, more than my Wista VX can handle in fact. It's quite small too.

Most importantly, it gives a wide view but the photographs don't have too much of a wideangle look.

I started with a 150 but I also just added a 210. While the spacing may seem far, I think a 110/210 combo could work very well. I assumed I'd use my 150 most of the time and switch to the 110 or 210 when I needed something wider or longer. In practice so far I've been using the 110 as my main lens and going to the 210 for occasional photographs. Perhaps it's just a case of wanting to use my newest lens. But I'm finding the 110xl to be just about perfect for getting a lot in the frame in the tight urban settings where I often work.

It's not a cheap lens, but I found a decent deal at KEH. Also consider that if you get a 90mm, you'll probably also eventually want a 135mm or 150mm. Depending on your working style, it's possible that the 110 can take the place of two other lenses.

Personally, I like to keep things simple. I'd love to just carry one lens but that won't quite work for the subjects I shoot. I'll have to give it more time before I decide, but I think a 110/210 kit might be just about perfect.

I also looked at the 115 Grandagon, but it's a large lens.

[Gem Singer]

For several years, Fred Picker recommended a 120SA and a 210W as the ideal two lens combination for the 4x5 format.

After trying various focal lengths for 4x5, I tend to agree with Fred.

Those two focal lengths covered 95% of the photographs made with a 4x5 camera.

The Nikon/Nikkor f8 120SW is my favorite lens for both 4x5 and 5x7. It will even cover 8x10 with minimal movements.

[Bob McCarthy]

Being an old Picker trained guy, I wholeheartedly support the 120/210 pairing. I currently use the 90/135/200 set, but I have to agree the 120 Nikon is a sweetie. I sold mine and have regretted it ever since.

Bob

[banjo]

will I have a 90mm Angulons and a 90mm super Angulons a 100mm WF Ektar
have not been all that happy SO I just got a 135mm WF Ektar BUT have not yet
given it a good test but like Fred Picker recommended a 120SA and a 210W
I thank that the Ektar 135mm WF is a nice size to use
banjo

[Ed Richards]

The 120mm Nikon SW is a great lens, and reasonably priced. The 110mm is also great, but at least 2x as expensive, and has more issues with vignetting with filters. 120mm is as wide as you can go without looking wide, and it has essentially infinite movements on 4x5. You should not need a bag bellows. You can then add a 90mm later if you want to go even wider.