4x5 lens selection

[Leigh B]

The Sironar-N is an apochromatic design, from before they prepended the APO designation to the name.

- Leigh

 

[eSPhotos]

Yeah, just done some test shots with the Sironar-N and I quite like it.
Only issue with this lens is that I can't close the front cover of my Crown Graphic with the lens in. The lens is too big.
I haven't received the Fujinon yet. Hope it's small enough to fit in the camera for easy transportation.

I am interested in Schneider Angulon 90mm f6.8. Anybody has opinion on this lens?
Most 90mm are quite bulky but this one is so tiny.
cheers

 

[Pupfish]

I've got the Caltar IIN version of the 210mm Sironar N, and two Meridians (a 45B and a 45C). The lens just fits inside these cameras when they're folded closed, but only due to a custom aluminum board I machined out of 1/4" plate that has a 3/16 recess. I'd expect that among folding metal fields few or no other cameras are going to close with this lens mounted. (A Nikon SW 90mm f/8 fits inside a closed up Meridian on a flat board-- but not with the standard Nikon lens cap!)

It's my understanding that Linhof Technikas won't fold up with Sironar 150mm's mounted on flat boards.

 

[2F/2F]

There's nothing to choose between any of the 3 you've listed, get which ever's the best bargain.

I agree 100%. There haven't been many bad large format lenses made, especially not by any of those companies.

I will just add that the lens board that comes (or doesn't come) with the lens is also a part of what might make it "the best bargain." A lens that comes pre mounted on the lens board that you need for your camera not only saves you money, but saves you a search and waiting time.

 

[eSPhotos]

Pupfish, if I grind the bottom flange of the rail the lens just fits inside without the cap on but I think I just work around it even its a PITA to travel with.

2F, yeah I figured that out when I checked the price of Graphics lens board. Luckily, the Sironar came with a graphics lens board.
This lens has Copal #1 and others are #0 so it's good to have its own.