210 f6.3 Computar Symmetrigon

[Francesco]

Anyone have experiences with this lens? How does this 210 stack up with other 210s? Can it cover 8x10? Thank you.

 

[David Vickery]

Hello, I have one of these lenses, but have not used it much-yet. But it will NOT cover 8x10. I bought mine thinking that I was getting the f/6.8 version but did not look closely enough at the description and got the f/6.3 version. As Tim Atherton pointed out to me, the f/6.8 lens is a factory mounted process lens that without the shutter is an f/9.0 lens. These lenses will cover the 8x10 format and are reported to be great quality lenses(I have a 270/6.8 computar symmetrogon and it is one of my favorites--it covers 11x14!). For 4x5 or 5x7 the 210/6.3 lens is probably very good, as it was made for those formats and did not start out as a process lens.

 

[Francesco]

Thank you David. I saw one on ebay and wanted to double check the claims by the seller.

 

[MichaelBriggs]

The Computar Symmetrigon is a different lens design from the f9 Computar that people rave about for its large coverage. The Symmetrigon is a four-element airspaced design, which, despite its name, is not symmetrical. Computar spec'd the Symmetrigons as covering 72 degrees at f22, which, for the 210 mm version is a diameter of 308 mm. So the 210 mm Symmetrigon will probably cover 8x10 without allowing movements.

 

[David Vickery]

I am not surprised that the 210/6.3 C.S. is only a 4 element lens. It is light enough that that makes sense. But I can assure you that it will not cover 8x10. Or at least mine doesn't. It leaves the corners dark even when stopped all the way down.

 

[Jorge Oliveira]

If you want to find out a lot about the Computars, you may contact Prof. Lynn Jones (he was in the design group for these lenses).
Very friendly person, BTW.

Lynn Jones <lynn@austin.cc.tx.us>

Jorge O