opinions... 4x5 75mm f8 fujinon lens?

[paul ron]

Im considering this lens for my 4x5.I'll be shooting landscapes mostly.

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any opinions?

 

[JensH]

Hi Paul,

I love 75 mm for 4x5".
Image circle should be enorgh. But this one is only f/8, so the image on the groundglas will be a bit dim, even without center filter. If you can live with that and the price is ok, go for it.
I'd take a 75/4.5 like my Rodenstock Grandagon-N.

Best
Jens

 

[Alan9940]

I use that very lens on my 4x5 and I've always been pleased with its performance. However, because I don't use it all that often I occasionally have a hard time remembering to cock the shutter before trying to open the iris blades. But, hey, I'm old!

 

[paul ron]

I'm so pleased its getting good reviews here... I just ordered it.

I'm sure the gg image will be very dim, but every gg n lens I've ever used never had a bright image... I'm old too but learned to be patient over those years.

anyone have a few examples?

I'm looking forward to shooting LF again.

thanks

 

[Dan Fromm]

Landscapes? Wide angle lens? I know you're committed, but are you sure?

I ask because in my experience w/a lenses basically make the background disappear and the foreground loom large. If that's what you want, you'll get it with a 75 on 4x5 but I've never been pleased with my attempts to shoot grand vistas with a half normal focal length lens.

 

[btaylor]

That's funny, Dan. When I was much younger I liked the "drama" of the large foreground, the distorted perspective and fast receding background. I don't anymore, it can be a real cliche-- at least that's how I look at much of the work I did with my 24mm lens on my old Pentax Spotmatic. I have a 90mm for my 4x5 and have never used it. I find I just don't go wider than 120mm. YMMV. OP, maybe you'll like that 75mm look.

 

[Ian Grant]

Landscapes? Wide angle lens? I know you're committed, but are you sure?

I ask because in my experience w/a lenses basically make the background disappear and the foreground loom large. If that's what you want, you'll get it with a 75 on 4x5 but I've never been pleased with my attempts to shoot grand vistas with a half normal focal length lens.

That can be true Dan, however a 75mm lens on a 5x4 camera definitely doesn't have to give those exaggerated effects. For many years (25+) I've used a 65mm f8 Super Angulon for 5x4 work (landscapes) but only use it sparingly where my 90mm wasn't wide enough and I've made some great exhibition shots with it. Later (about 10 years ago) I bought a 75mm f8 Super Angulon for my 6x17 camera and tried it with my Wista first it's an easier FL to use compared to the 65mm and fits better alongside a 150mm, 90mm etc.

Now I'm using a 75mm f5.6 Super Angulon for 5x4 work, that I bought off this forum last year, I'm using it far more than I thought (compared to the 65mm). I've no prints from it scanned but should be able to re-photograph some later today.

Ian

 

[Alan9940]

Landscapes? Wide angle lens? I know you're committed, but are you sure?

I ask because in my experience w/a lenses basically make the background disappear and the foreground loom large. If that's what you want, you'll get it with a 75 on 4x5 but I've never been pleased with my attempts to shoot grand vistas with a half normal focal length lens.

In general, Dan, I would agree; certainly when shooting large vistas the 75mm would not be the first lens I grabbed, unless I had very strong elements in the immediate foreground. In don't use my 75mm all that often, but when I'm down in canyons out here in the southwest many times my 90mm just isn't quite wide enough to cover everything I'm trying to get. In other words, for tight confined spaces the 75 can be just the ticket.

 

[Dan Fromm]

In general, Dan, I would agree; certainly when shooting large vistas the 75mm would not be the first lens I grabbed, unless I had very strong elements in the immediate foreground. In don't use my 75mm all that often, but when I'm down in canyons out here in the southwest many times my 90mm just isn't quite wide enough to cover everything I'm trying to get. In other words, for tight confined spaces the 75 can be just the ticket.

Absolutely!