A question for those few of you out there who are still carrying sheet film around in the woods.
I currently shoot 4X5 and am contemplating some lens changes. Currently I have:
Schneider Super Symmar XL 80mm
Nikon W 135mm
Fujinon A 240mm
Nikon T 360mm ED and an additional 720mm rear element
I use the 135mm by far the most. It has yeilded good results but I am becoming more and more discerning and would like to purchase a lens with a little better optics. Additonally, when composing, I sometimes wish I was a little wider, but not 80mm wider. I am considering adding either the Rodenstock APO Sironar S 135mm or the Schneider Super Symmar XL 110mm. I would sell the Nikon 135mm. Any thoughts?
Additionally, while I like the Nikon 360mm/720mm convertable, I find that it is quite heavy and I don't use the 720mm nearly as much as I envisioned (I do mainly landscape work). I am considering selling both and adding the Fujinon C 450mm. Any thoughts?
Lastly, I am considering adding a new focal length to my bag, either a Schneider super angulon 58mm or something in the 150mm or 180mm range.
I am struggling with parting with my current setup and the additonal $, and was hoping someone here has some experience with these lenses or focal lengths. Thanks in advance for any advice...
Posted by Steve Hamley on March 3, 2006 at 9:06 PM
Erich,
My 4x5 bag is:
55mm Rodenstock Apo grandagon
80mm Schneider SS XL
110mm Schneider SSXL (120mm Apo Symmar for the light option)
135mm Apo Sironar-S (150mm Germinar-W for the light option)
180mm Rodenstock Apo Sironar-S (7" Berlin Dagor for the light option, uncoated!!)
9-1/2" (240mm) f/11 Goerz Argyle (Trigor)
The 110mm SS XL is stupendous (as is the 80mm). Sharp, light for the coverage and flare resistant. It gets used a lot for near-far sunsets and sunrises. I like my 135mm Apo Sironar-S, but it is bad about producing an iris ghost pointed into the sun. Otherwise it's fine.
As far as selling the Nikkor 135mm for another brand, I seriously doubt you'd ever see any difference, and I've never seen a good shot diminished by a bad "big 4" lens (O.K., it's "big 3" now).
The Fuji 450 C is a killer lens. I find I don't use mine a lot on 4x5, but it's probably one of the last lenses I'd part with - it's that good. Funny, because I wasn't all that impressed with the 300 C.
If I were you, the next lens would be a 55mm - 58mm lens. A super wide will give you another composition option that the other options you mentioned won't give you.
Next, I'd add the 110mm SS XL.
Then I'd do the Fuji 450C.
Finally, if you're still wanting to do it, trade the Nikkor 135mm on either an Apo Sironar-N or -S.
that being said, if i was in your shoes, i would sell the 135 and replace it with the 110-XL. it's a FANTASTIC lens. the jump from 110 to 240 is bigger than i like, so after living with it for a while, if you found you wanted something in the middle, a 180 Sironar-S is one heck of a good lens. that would give you...
80-XL
110-XL
180-Sironar-S
240-A
360 T*ED
that's one sweet field kit!! like steve, the lens i would add after that would be something wider, like the 58-XL.
Thanks. You have definitely sold me on the 110-XL. I now need to figure out what to do with the rest. I like the Nikon 360mm and the span between the 240mm and a new 450mm would be quite big. I'll have to think some more on that one. The addition of a super wide like the 58mm or the 55mm is really appealing, but I wonder how much I would use it. This focal length can be difficult to use compositionally, but when you get it right, the results are unique and amazing. I forgot to throw in the mix that I am considering a used drum scanner too and am trying to spilt a little extra $ that I got to where I get the most bang for the buck.
Yes. I was thinking of selling the 360/720 in favor of the fuji 450 C as something in between and lighter. What do you think?
Posted by Steve Hamley on March 5, 2006 at 1:54 PM
Erich,
a light 360mm is tough; they don't really exist.
If you can find one, a single-coated 360mm Apo Ronar in Compur #2 comes upo occasionally. The 360mm Fuji A in a Copal 1 is ideal, but pricey as these are "cult" lenses. Most of the other 14"/360mm lenses are in Copal 3 shutters and get pretty big.
For 4x5, something like a 360mm Kowa Graphic is a direct fit into a Copal 3s and isn't too bad in weight or price. A 14" Dagor is pricey and a bit heavier, and a 355mm G-Claron is also an option but bigger and heavier still.
Kerry Thalmann had a 14" f:9 Artar fitted to a Compur #2 shutter by S.K. Grimes and that seems to be a good solution. Same would work with a Apo Ronar in barrel or a Schneider Repro Claron. But I'd keep the Nikkor until I had it's replacement.
I have 530mm with tilts and rise. I have decided to go with the 58XL and the 110XL. I'll add something in the 180mm range later along with the 450mm. I'll keep the 360 for now. Thanks for the help. Anybody selling a 58XL or 110XL??????????
erich, not selling, but using both the 58 and 110. they are FANTASTIC lenses!! enjoy.
Posted by Danny Burk on March 17, 2006 at 10:07 PM
Erich - just wandered into SENP and found this thread. If you decide to sell the 720, drop me a line; I have a client who is looking for one. I love mine and wouldn't dream of parting with it
I agree that Fuji's 450 "C" is a terrific lens, as is Schneider's 110XL.
Discussion
10 repliesI currently shoot 4X5 and am contemplating some lens changes. Currently I have:
Schneider Super Symmar XL 80mm
Nikon W 135mm
Fujinon A 240mm
Nikon T 360mm ED and an additional 720mm rear element
I use the 135mm by far the most. It has yeilded good results but I am becoming more and more discerning and would like to purchase a lens with a little better optics. Additonally, when composing, I sometimes wish I was a little wider, but not 80mm wider. I am considering adding either the Rodenstock APO Sironar S 135mm or the Schneider Super Symmar XL 110mm. I would sell the Nikon 135mm. Any thoughts?
Additionally, while I like the Nikon 360mm/720mm convertable, I find that it is quite heavy and I don't use the 720mm nearly as much as I envisioned (I do mainly landscape work). I am considering selling both and adding the Fujinon C 450mm. Any thoughts?
Lastly, I am considering adding a new focal length to my bag, either a Schneider super angulon 58mm or something in the 150mm or 180mm range.
I am struggling with parting with my current setup and the additonal $, and was hoping someone here has some experience with these lenses or focal lengths. Thanks in advance for any advice...
My 4x5 bag is:
55mm Rodenstock Apo grandagon
80mm Schneider SS XL
110mm Schneider SSXL (120mm Apo Symmar for the light option)
135mm Apo Sironar-S (150mm Germinar-W for the light option)
180mm Rodenstock Apo Sironar-S (7" Berlin Dagor for the light option, uncoated!!)
9-1/2" (240mm) f/11 Goerz Argyle (Trigor)
The 110mm SS XL is stupendous (as is the 80mm). Sharp, light for the coverage and flare resistant. It gets used a lot for near-far sunsets and sunrises. I like my 135mm Apo Sironar-S, but it is bad about producing an iris ghost pointed into the sun. Otherwise it's fine.
As far as selling the Nikkor 135mm for another brand, I seriously doubt you'd ever see any difference, and I've never seen a good shot diminished by a bad "big 4" lens (O.K., it's "big 3" now).
The Fuji 450 C is a killer lens. I find I don't use mine a lot on 4x5, but it's probably one of the last lenses I'd part with - it's that good. Funny, because I wasn't all that impressed with the 300 C.
If I were you, the next lens would be a 55mm - 58mm lens. A super wide will give you another composition option that the other options you mentioned won't give you.
Next, I'd add the 110mm SS XL.
Then I'd do the Fuji 450C.
Finally, if you're still wanting to do it, trade the Nikkor 135mm on either an Apo Sironar-N or -S.
Steve
58-XL
80-XL
110-XL
150-XL
210-Sironar-S
360-Schneider Gold Dot Dagor
450-Nikkor-M
600-Fuji-C
that being said, if i was in your shoes, i would sell the 135 and replace it with the 110-XL. it's a FANTASTIC lens. the jump from 110 to 240 is bigger than i like, so after living with it for a while, if you found you wanted something in the middle, a 180 Sironar-S is one heck of a good lens. that would give you...
80-XL
110-XL
180-Sironar-S
240-A
360 T*ED
that's one sweet field kit!! like steve, the lens i would add after that would be something wider, like the 58-XL.
are you planning on selling your 360? keeping it would give you a nice kit of:
80-XL
110-XL
180-Sironar-S
240-A
360 T*ED
a light 360mm is tough; they don't really exist.
If you can find one, a single-coated 360mm Apo Ronar in Compur #2 comes upo occasionally. The 360mm Fuji A in a Copal 1 is ideal, but pricey as these are "cult" lenses. Most of the other 14"/360mm lenses are in Copal 3 shutters and get pretty big.
For 4x5, something like a 360mm Kowa Graphic is a direct fit into a Copal 3s and isn't too bad in weight or price. A 14" Dagor is pricey and a bit heavier, and a 355mm G-Claron is also an option but bigger and heavier still.
Kerry Thalmann had a 14" f:9 Artar fitted to a Compur #2 shutter by S.K. Grimes and that seems to be a good solution. Same would work with a Apo Ronar in barrel or a Schneider Repro Claron. But I'd keep the Nikkor until I had it's replacement.
Steve
80
110
180 or 210
300
450
this would give you roughly 1.5x spacing. the nikkor 300m is a fine lens, and very small.
I agree that Fuji's 450 "C" is a terrific lens, as is Schneider's 110XL.