300mm lens question

tjaded · Nov 7, 2006

Hi all--
I am looking to buy a lens in the 300mm range, for 4x5. There are two I am looking at right now and was wondering if anyone had any comments on either one. They are as follows:

RODENSTOCK SIRONAR- N MC 300MM 5.6 COPAL NO.3

Schneider 300mm f5.6 Symmar Copal 3

Both seem to be in my price range (under $500) so any pros/cons you might have would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

DrPablo · Nov 7, 2006

I just bought the Schneider 5.6/300 Symmar myself for $395. I don't have a ton of experience with it yet, but I've been very happy with it so far -- very sharp, and a nice focal length.

naturephoto1 · Nov 7, 2006

tjaded said:
Hi all--
I am looking to buy a lens in the 300mm range, for 4x5. There are two I am looking at right now and was wondering if anyone had any comments on either
one. They are as follows:

RODENSTOCK SIRONAR- N MC 300MM 5.6 COPAL NO.3

Schneider 300mm f5.6 Symmar Copal 3

Both seem to be in my price range (under $500) so any pros/cons you might have would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi tjaded,

Questions first. What camera will you use, how much bellows draw does the camera have, and how will you use the lens. Also, is the Schneider lens a Symmar, Symmar S, or a Symmar S MC.

Once we have that additional information we will better be able to assist you.

Rich

tjaded · Nov 7, 2006

Hi Rich--
Not sure which version the Schneider is, I'll try to find out. As for the camera it would go on, I have a couple of Toyo/Omega 45 monorails. Standard rail, no extensions.

naturephoto1 · Nov 7, 2006

tjaded said:
Hi Rich--
Not sure which version the Schneider is, I'll try to find out. As for the camera it would go on, I have a couple of Toyo/Omega 45 monorails. Standard rail, no extensions.

Hi tjaded,

Approximately how much bellows draw do the cameras have and what is the purpose (where do you plan to use it- Studio [and for what ex. Portraiture], field?). Dont' forget these are large and heavy lenses and shutters. There are probably many better options for field use.

Rich

tjaded · Nov 7, 2006

I'll have to check on the bellow draw when I get home. It would be used for both studio and landscape/cityscapes. Weight of the lens in not really an issue. My main interest is in how sharp the lens is & how much coverage each lens has--from a true hands on point of view rather than the advertising from the manufacturers...

John Kasaian · Nov 7, 2006

These are big lenses for 4x5 cameras. Have you considered the Nikkor 300 M or the Schneider 305 G Claron?

naturephoto1 · Nov 7, 2006

Hi tjaded,

I would generally opt for a Multicoated lens if one is and one is not. Either lens will probably easily give sufficient coverage for 4 x 5 for whatever you have in mind. However if weight and size (they are very large and heavy) is of any concern for carrying the camera any distance and if you can deal with the slower apertures you may also want to consider: Fuji Compact f8.5 300mm, Nikon f9 300mm M, Rodenstock f9.0 Apo Ronar MC, Schneider 305mm F9.0 G-Claron, etc. These lenses will be in the much smaller Copal/Compur 1 shutters with much smaller filters. Most of these lenses will also have sufficient coverage for 4 x 5. Most are very sharp with very good color and contrast, but they may not be quite as sharp as the 2 lenses that you have mentioned. However, each lens design can vary decidedly in performance in part due to the alignment of the optics in that particular lens.

Rich

eclarke · Nov 7, 2006

I agree with John, if you can find and see yourself clear to buy the Nikon 300M, you will be a happy camper...EC

DrPablo · Nov 7, 2006

I have the plain old Symmar, and I don't find it very big. It's a lot smaller than my Schneider 5.6/90 SA XL.

jimgalli · Nov 7, 2006

For a 4X5 the Nikor makes the best sense of any of them.

Pinholemaster · Nov 7, 2006

You can probably use these lenses on 8x10, so coverage isn't an issue.

Both companies make sharp modern lenses. How sharp is sharp?

Which can you get cheapest in usable condition?

tjaded · Nov 7, 2006

I guess there area a hell of a lot more options I need to figure out. Basically, I want to get something around 300mm, good quality and if possible, under $450. Budget at this point trumps everything (damn poor starving student syndrome!)

Ole · Nov 7, 2006

With a low budget, older is often better. My 300mm is an old Symmar f:5.6 convertible (300/500) in a Compound #4 shutter. It cost me about $150.

Single coating is in my experience sufficient for 99% of all cases, and I do a lot of shooting directly into the sun. The sharpness of an older Symmar and whatever newer lens are not different enough for me to buy a newer lens, as I don't enlarge my 4x5" negatives beyond 40x50" (inches, not cm).

naturephoto1 · Nov 7, 2006

tjaded said:
I guess there area a hell of a lot more options I need to figure out. Basically, I want to get something around 300mm, good quality and if possible, under $450. Budget at this point trumps everything (damn poor starving student syndrome!)

Hi tjaded,

You should be able to get any of the lenses used from a store or eBay for the lenses mentioned in the thread. Even the Rodenstock f 9 300mm Apo Ronar MC comes in close to that figure. I purchased mine earlier in the year in mint condition for $550. But, they can be had for less in other condition.

Good luck.

Rich

noseoil · Nov 7, 2006

My 300mm Symmar-s needs 105mm filters. Find an old g-claron. tim

Richard Kelham · Nov 7, 2006

You'll find both the Symmar and the Sironar are stonking great bits of glass. I've got a 300mm Nikkor W which is similar covers 10x8 with room to spare and weighs something like 1.5kg. It'd probably rip the front standard off one of those flimsy mimsy wooden things

For the sort of work you propose the Nikkor M 300mm which is a Tessar-type design and thus has a narrower angle of view, would be more suitable: much smaller, multi-coated, and as much coverage as you handle on a 5x4. Ironically it would probably cost as much as the faster lenses. The dimmer focusing screen shouln't be a major problem which do you want: eye-strain or a hernia?

Richard

jadphoto · Nov 7, 2006

Several have pointed out that the lenses you list are large. The Nikor and the Apo-Ronar are quite small and light weight, much more suitable for field use as previously mentioned.

I'd also suggest you look at the 300mm Geronar. This lens may have also been marketed as a Caltar IIE as were the 210mm and 150mm Geronars.

It has a relative short flange distance and a larger image circle than either the Apo-Ronar or the Nikor.

In the f/16, f/22 range mine is very sharp.

Joe D.

Keith Pitman · Nov 7, 2006

Suggest you consider a Nikkor M 300, f:9. It's a wonderful lens: small, sharp, and uses 52mm filters.

Emile de Leon · Nov 7, 2006

I have the 300mm Sironar N and it is a great lens wide open or closed down with great tonality. Bright GG at f5.6. Big coverage in case you decide to go 8x10 in the future. Emile/www.deleon-ulf.com.

300mm lens question

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