Wanderlust 4x5 P&S

[dave_whatever]

Thinking of which, what finder would you recommend for the 90mm? I have one of the Rodenstock 90mm f6.8 Grandagons that I'm planning to put on my camera, and use the 65mm cone in pinhole configuration.

A few years back I bought one of these for about half what they cost now, and hacked a new mask for 6x17 use with a 90mm lens. I was new to the format and needed a bit of help visualising shots. But I've still got the 5x4/6x12 mask for it. Thats probably the cheapest off-the-shelf solution that's not made of plastic or total junk.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fixed-View...item3f36b6e7a4

[plywood]

I'm thinking that after I get used to where to position my eye the supplied metal frame finder will be just fine. And, it does not get sumdged with fingerprints like my CV finder for their 21mm lens. And of course the price is right.

[Corran]

Corran, that's for the 90mm?

Yes, sorry if that was unclear.

[EdSawyer]

21mm viewfinder would be appropriate for the 65, not the 90. A 28mm viewfinder would be closer for a 90.

[dave_whatever]

21mm would be a bit tight for a 65 (18mm equiv) unless it was the brightline type with visible area past the framelines.

[Corran]

21mm viewfinder would be appropriate for the 65, not the 90. A 28mm viewfinder would be closer for a 90.

It depends if you are talking about the vertical or the horizontal. The problem here is the aspect ratio. Masking off the left and right side of the 21mm gives me close to a 90mm perspective on 4x5. A 28mm vf would have stuff missing from the top and bottom.

[mdarnton]

Probably some of us already think this way (masking the edges) from using 6x7 holders in 6x9 cameras. I know I'm totally comfy working that way.

[Steve Pitchford]

Picked up a mint condition Caltar 90mm IIN 6.8 yesterday in Chicago for a great price-getting ready for this project!

Kirk,
If that Caltar is the Ilex-Calumet Wide Field 90mm f8 mounted in Copal no. 0 you will be a happy photo dog! I bought one this past year; not for my "coming" Wanderlust. but as a replacement for my Schneider (Linhof) regular 90mm pancake lens, which I had CLA'd for the Travel Wide. The Caltar's new home is on my Wista 4x5.
I had the choice between the Schneider Super Angulon or the Wide field Ilex Calumet Caltar. I read everything I could find on the web. Several companies made the Wide Field Caltar at different times - all used the famous Tessar lens design. Of course a Tessar is a Tessar or would be Tessar. Most were single coated, (after 1945) until about 1978 when multi coating for color film became the norm. Production ended in 1983. All had a 100-105 degree field of view, measured at f/16 usually, depending on who tested them or who you want to believe. I tested all 3 actually,included my small schneider 90mm. The little Schneider did great - the field of view is only rated at 81 degrees and the circle of coverage at 180 mm. I felt the DOV was better than 81 and the 180mm COV good enough for all but severe architecture.
But when it came the the Super Angulon vs. the Wide Field it was very difficult to find any differences. When I compared negatives shot at the same time and place on my Wista, the shot having a fore ground object, a larger middle ground object and an infinity object, shot at same settings, it was pretty much a toss up. A slight edge goes to the Caltar for fore ground sharpness and the way it seemed to push it forward. The only short coming for the Caltar is the front lens barrel is not threaded making it difficult to use filters and shades. I'm very happy with the lens and it cost $100 less than the Super Angulon. Oh!, by the way it is said to be the exact lens as the Calumet W.A. Acugon which sold to commerical photogs for twice the Price as the Caltar.
Happy trails,
SteveP

[Dan Fromm]

Steve, the 90/8 Ilex sold under a variety of names is an f/8 Super Angulon clone, not a tessar type. Ain't no 100 degree tessar types.

[Kuzano]

Probably some of us already think this way (masking the edges) from using 6x7 holders in 6x9 cameras. I know I'm totally comfy working that way.

I went a bit different for a new aspect ratio on 6X9. I took my Fujica GL690 and masked the film gate down to 3CM down the middle of the roll, with a mask in the viewfinder window. This gives me a frame size that is 30mm X 88mm. This works out to an aspect ratio almost identical to 6X17 CM, and a lens choice on the Fujica body of 100mm or 65mm with the two lenses I enjoy the most.

I plan to similarly mask a Dayi 6X12 which will yield a 30mm X 118 Panoramic. This will be an aspect ratio almost identical to 6X24Cm.

Since I shoot mostly expired film purchased on eBay, I don't mind the waste on film. Furthermore, different masks may be challenging to play with, such as 40mm X 88 or 118mm.

Looking forward to this fun set of options with the Travelwide.