203mm & 210mm lens recommendations for 4x5 monorail camera

[n2mf]

Hi. I current own a 90mm Angulon & a 135mm xenar for my 4x5 monorail, but I'd like to get a 203 or 210 for the coverage/movements. Can someone recommend some brands and versions that would be good. Thanks in advance.

 

[bdial]

A 210mm Symmar S is a good choice. It is able to cover 5x7, in 4x5 it gives you tons of coverage/movement.
If I had to choose just one lens for 4x5, that would be the one.

 

[n2mf]

A 210mm Symmar S is a good choice. It is able to cover 5x7, in 4x5 it gives you tons of coverage/movement.
If I had to choose just one lens for 4x5, that would be the one.

That's what I'm trying to do. Trim down to one nice lens with movements. Thanks.

 

[Bill Harrison]

203mm Ektar

The Ektar 203mm f7.7 is inexpensive, covers 5x7 and is small, light & VERY sharp… the European issue had a better shutter but hard to find.

 

[Alan Gales]

A 210mm Symmar S is a good choice. It is able to cover 5x7, in 4x5 it gives you tons of coverage/movement.
If I had to choose just one lens for 4x5, that would be the one.

+1

I own the same lens.

Of course I don't think you could go wrong with a 210mm f/5.6 lens from Rodenstock, Nikkor, Fujinon or Caltar either.

 

[n2mf]

The Ektar 203mm f7.7 is inexpensive, covers 5x7 and is small, light & VERY sharp… the European issue had a better shutter but hard to find.

Thank you...It's on my list.

 

[n2mf]

+1

I own the same lens.

Of course I don't think you could go wrong with a 210mm f/5.6 lens from Rodenstock, Nikkor, Fujinon or Caltar either.

That's good to know...Exactly the information I'm looking for. Thank you.

 

[brucemuir]

Another vote for the 203 Ektar.

 

[Vaughn]

Computar Symmetrigon 210 /6.3

Often inexpensive. Very sharp. Look for one that still has the original metal lens hood.

http://www.largeformatphotography.i...hp?37912-Computar-Symmetrigon-150-180-210-6-3

 

[LJH]

Fujinon 210mm.

 

[Ian Grant]

I have both a 203mm f7.7 Ektar and a 210mm f5.6 Symmar S both have excellent coverage and are very sharp. The downside to the Ektar is it's maximum aperture but if you have a good screen./fresnel that's not really a problem, on the other hand it's a very small light lens and will out perform the Symmar closer up and easily go to 1:1 with excellent correction - a feature of its Dialyte design.

The 203mm Ektars were made in both the US and UK, UK models are marked Mount 370 on the front and in #0 compatible shutters (Epsilon, Prontor SVS and Compur) later versions are particularly well coated.

Ian

 

[Gregg Obst]

I have a Fujinon-W 210mm F5.6 in a copal B shutter that I've have had very good results with though I have no experience with any other LF lens at that focal length to compare it to.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

For me, the 210mm plasmats (i.e., the f/5.6 lenses for the most part) are just too big and bulky. I hike and backpack a lot and need a lightweight kit.

For that reason, my current lenses in that focal length are the Ektar 203mm (one of my favorites) and a Fujinon L 210mm. This latter is a Tessar design and a bit less heavy and compact than the plasmats. Another lightweight choice would be the Nikkor M 200mm if you can find one of them. They are rather rare.

When looking for an Ektar, be sure the glass is good; the coating on these is not as hard as later coatings and many are scratched/cloudy due to mishandling. As for the Supramatic shutter that the U.S. Ektars come in: Mine has been more than serviceable for 30+ years and has only had one CLA. If you plan on using it with flash, be aware that the flash connection is not modern and you'll have to come up with an adapter cord or improvise.

If weight and size are not an issue, you'll likely find that one of the plasmats from one of the big four will serve you excellently.

Best,

Dormeus

 

[Shawn Dougherty]

For me, the 210mm plasmats (i.e., the f/5.6 lenses for the most part) are just too big and bulky. I hike and backpack a lot and need a lightweight kit.
Dormeus

They are bigger and heavier than the lenses Dormeus mentions. They are also excellent performers, bright on the ground glass, offer a large image circle, and are very inexpensive. You should be able to find a Nikkor (my current choice in this focal lenght), Fujinon, Rodenstock or Schneider 210mm f5.6 in a modern, all black Copal shutter for between $200 and $250 USD or so if you are patient. If I could only have one lens this would be the one.

If you are not put off by the size (generally 67mm filter thread) I would not hesitate to buy one made by any of the main 4 manufacturers.

 

[n2mf]

They are bigger and heavier than the lenses Dormeus mentions. They are also excellent performers, bright on the ground glass, offer a large image circle, and are very inexpensive. You should be able to find a Nikkor (my current choice in this focal lenght), Fujinon, Rodenstock or Schneider 210mm f5.6 in a modern, all black Copal shutter for between $200 and $250 USD or so if you are patient. If I could only have one lens this would be the one.

If you are not put off by the size (generally 67mm filter thread) I would not hesitate to buy one made by any of the main 4 manufacturers.

Great information...Thanks.

 

[Tom1956]

+1

I own the same lens.

Of course I don't think you could go wrong with a 210mm f/5.6 lens from Rodenstock, Nikkor, Fujinon or Caltar either.

+2 I've had one since I got it new in 1980.

 

[JW PHOTO]

For me, the 210mm plasmats (i.e., the f/5.6 lenses for the most part) are just too big and bulky. I hike and backpack a lot and need a lightweight kit.

For that reason, my current lenses in that focal length are the Ektar 203mm (one of my favorites) and a Fujinon L 210mm. This latter is a Tessar design and a bit less heavy and compact than the plasmats. Another lightweight choice would be the Nikkor M 200mm if you can find one of them. They are rather rare.

When looking for an Ektar, be sure the glass is good; the coating on these is not as hard as later coatings and many are scratched/cloudy due to mishandling. As for the Supramatic shutter that the U.S. Ektars come in: Mine has been more than serviceable for 30+ years and has only had one CLA. If you plan on using it with flash, be aware that the flash connection is not modern and you'll have to come up with an adapter cord or improvise.

If weight and size are not an issue, you'll likely find that one of the plasmats from one of the big four will serve you excellently.

Best,

Dormeus

How do you find the Fuji 210mm L lens for 4x5 coverage? How does it stack up to the 203mm Ektar for image quality? Just curious? JohnW

 

[Ian Grant]

Another smallish 210 that covers up to 7x5 is the 210mm f6.3 Commercial Congo it's a Tessar type design and performs well with plenty of coverage and room for movements on a 5x4 camera. I didn't pay much for mine (just the cells - no shutter) but it's an excellent lens.

Will all these lenses there's little difference in image quality at f22 for normal use, and I'd include the tiny 210mm f6.8 Geronar in that statement it's a modern Multi Coated Triplet, where they differ is at wider apertures.

Ian

 

[Shootar401]

a 210 Fuji, Nikkor, etc.. would be the best best. It's a great all around lens and can be used for anything. At one point I had a Horseman monorail with a 65, 90, 150, 210 and a 305mm lens and the 210 was used about 90% of the time, followed by the 150.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

How do you find the Fuji 210mm L lens for 4x5 coverage? How does it stack up to the 203mm Ektar for image quality? Just curious? JohnW

The Fuji L 210 has a 240mm image circle. This covers 5x7 with some movement and I find it fine for architecturals on 4x5. I've never vignetted it. Fuji Ls are Tessar designs and are really sharp in the center and usually quite good at the corners stopped down. They are single coated, like the Ektar, but since the number or air-to-glass surfaces is less than with plasmats, the contrast (like the Ektar) is quite good. I have no complaints about sharpness or contrast with mine.

The Ektar 203 just barely covers 5x7 and will run out of coverage with extensive movements. This shows up as unsharpness in the corners first, so you can stretch the coverage a bit if you have featureless sky, etc. in the corners.

The Nikkor M has a smaller image circle of 211mm; enough for some movements on 4x5, but not tons. It is also a Tessar and has Tessar characteristics

The plasmats have from just under 300mm image circles to upwards of 350 (the newer Rodenstocks). They, of course offer more coverage than the compact lenses and many of them will cover 8x10 without movements.

Best,

Doremus

 

[Shawn Dougherty]

Just took a look at KEH and saw these 3 lenses in all black modern shutters at reasonable prices:
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Also, take a look at the classifieds on the Large Format Forum.
Good luck!
Shawn

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Don't ignore the older convertible Symmars. The downsides are getting one in a good-running shutter, and some don't like them converted. But they often go very cheaply, are a bit smaller and lighter than the latest Plasmats, and are a very sharp lens when used unconverted. I have a 150 convertible, and have had a 180 and a 210.
My present 210 is a Dagor type from about 1905, which I can't reccomend due to the fact that they seem to go for silly money (probably due to the fact that many think they cover 8x10. Mine doesn't, not even close) and are usually in shutters which need work.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Another option would be an 8 1/4" Commercial Ektar. A Tessar-type, considered by many to be one of the finest portrait lenses of its period (post-WW II). It's an f6.3 maximum, so it's a nice compromise between the plasmats and the 203 Ektar. Brighter, faster, but not huge. I want to say the 8 1/4" is in an Ilex #3 shutter, but I could be wrong about the size. It too will require a bi-post adapter to use flash.

 

[Alan Gales]

Another option would be an 8 1/4" Commercial Ektar. A Tessar-type, considered by many to be one of the finest portrait lenses of its period (post-WW II). It's an f6.3 maximum, so it's a nice compromise between the plasmats and the 203 Ektar. Brighter, faster, but not huge. I want to say the 8 1/4" is in an Ilex #3 shutter, but I could be wrong about the size. It too will require a bi-post adapter to use flash.

You are correct about the 8 1/4" being in an Ilex #3.

I own a 14" Commercial Ektar in an Ilex #5 which I use on my 8x10. It's my favorite portrait lens.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

You are correct about the 8 1/4" being in an Ilex #3.

I own a 14" Commercial Ektar in an Ilex #5 which I use on my 8x10. It's my favorite portrait lens.

I have both the 12" and 14" Commercial Ektars and they are fantastic lenses for all purposes, not just portraits. I've shot color neg with the 12" on my 5x7 for long night exposures and been very pleased with the results.