Choosing Lens

[ThePenguin]

I'm trying to figure out what lenses I should buy. I'm planing to buy the Shen Hao 5x7, but I'm going to use it to shoot 4x5 and 6x17. I'm going to shoot landscapes, cityscapes, nature and some portrait. To narrow my equipment down I only want 3 lenses. What focal-lenghts should I go for? And what lenses (brand and model) should I choose? Any tip and recommendation is welcome.

Thank You!

[Lachlan 717]

Schneider: 72mm SAXL - 110mm SSXL - 210 APO Symmar.

[Gem Singer]

I have a Canham MQC57 with a 4x5 and a 6x17 back.

I use four Nikon/Nikkors that will easily cover all three formats:

f8 120SW, f5.6 180W, f6.3 240W, and f9 300M.

If I had to limit my choices to only three lenses, I would eliminate the f6.3 240W, mounted in a Copal 3 shutter.

When shooting exclusively with the 4x5 back, I carry three lenses: f8 90SW, f5.6 150W, and f9 300M.

Leaving the 5x7 and 6x17 backs and film holders out of the camera bag makes for a smaller, light weight kit.

[mdm]

My pick is 135mm for 4x5 and 210mm for 5x7 with a 180mm fujinon A inbetween for 1:1 and other stuff. Most 135mm lenses dont cover 5x7 so maybe something like a schneider 110mm xl, 120mm or a 150mm lens would be better. I consider 135/210 to be equivalent on 4x5/5x7 and my favourite focal lengths.

so for 4x5 you have a wide normal, long normal and long.
for 5x7 you have a wide (maybe), wide normal and normal.
and you are covered for close up work.

If you want 4 lenses, then a fujinon A 300 or nikkor M 300 would round it off, or you could dispense with the 180 and get a 300 instead.

[Gem Singer]

I probably should have mentioned this.

If you want to limit yourself to two lenses that will cover all three formats,

the Nikon/Nikkor f8 120SW and the f6.3 240W make an excellent pair.

Both of these lenses have large image circles and are blazing sharp.

[Jim Galli]

Oh my, only 3?? I suppose a Pinkham, a Petzval and a Perigraphe would have to do then.

[Ari]

Don't forget the amazing Fujinon 250 f6.7 (and to a lesser extent the f6.3).
The 6.7 does multiple duty, up to 810 with movements.

[mdm]

Oh my, only 3?? I suppose a Pinkham, a Petzval and a Perigraphe would have to do then.

That would be fine as long as it was closer to 3 than 300. I agree that it is better to choose a lens for its look, than focal length, within reason. Problem is, the testing never ends. I would love to have a 210 dagor and a 210 heliar to add to my 210 plasmat and 210 tessar, not to mention a 210 macro. Where do you draw the line? Different for different people, but still it must be drawn somewhere.

[eddie]

Oh my, only 3?? I suppose a Pinkham, a Petzval and a Perigraphe would have to do then.

i was thinking a kodak 305 as well. which one from your list shall we drop? har har har.

[Nathan Potter]

Oh my, only 3?? I suppose a Pinkham, a Petzval and a Perigraphe would have to do then.

Perfect choice, Obsoletely!

Nate Potter, Austin TX.