8x10 Wide Angle Lens Recommendations

John Hamlen · May 20, 2011

Starting to build an 8x10 system and am looking for a wide angle lens which can cover (or almost cover 10x8), is manageable (in terms of weight & expense), and for which the front filter thread is vaguely standard. So far my research has turned up this list of possible candidates.

Any ones I have missed, personal lens recommendations, and any top tips on the best places to sources these bits of glass will be gratefully received. (I'm in the UK)

Many thanks
John

Model - Focal Length - Max Aperture - Image Circle - Front Filter Thread
Nikkor SW 120 f/8 312 77
Nikkor SW 150 f/8 400 95
Super-Symmar XL 150 f/5.6 386 95
Grandagon N 155 f/6.8 382 105
Fujinon CM-W 210 f/5.6 309 67
APO-Sironar S 210 f/5.6 316 72
APO-Symmar 210 f/5.6 305 72
Fujinon A 240 f/9 336 52
APO-Symmar 240 f/5.6 352 77
APO-Sironar N 240 f/5.6 350 77
Nikkor W 240 f/5.6 336 82
APO-Sironar S 240 f/5.6 372 86
Fujinon CM-W 250 f/6.3 320 67

photomc · May 20, 2011

Wollensak 159mm will be mentioned, small and covers - I'm always looking for one, but seem to find them Right after they are sold

the 240 G Claron in a Copal 1 are good, IC something like 350, also the 240 Germinar are great (I use one of these) in a Copal 1 - These repro lens, so may or may not be in a shutter.

ic-racer · May 20, 2011

The Fujinon lenses you want are the 250 f 6.7 (398mm) and the 80 degree 210mm W (352mm)
Other than that the list looks OK, I'd just start looking for any of those in the list that are reasonably priced.

Neanderman · May 20, 2011

There is the Schneider 165mm Super Angulon (393.0 mm @ f22), 105mm filter.

The early 80 degree Fujinon 180mm f5.6 (305.0 mm @ ƒ22) 58mm filter will cover 8x10 with minimal movement.

There is also the 'classic' WF Ektar 190mm f6.3 (317.0 mm @ ƒ16).

Ed

mat4226 · May 21, 2011

That's a pretty comprehensive list there!

I'm going to second what ic-racer said about the older Fuji 210mm W, it's a spectacular wide angle with plenty of movements stopped down.

John Hamlen · May 23, 2011

Thanks Mike. Wollensak hadn't come up on my radar, maybe because I'd been scared away by the idea of trying to focus an f12.5 wide-angle. However, since your tip I've read lots of good things about them!

photomc said:
Wollensak 159mm will be mentioned, small and covers - I'm always looking for one, but seem to find them Right after they are sold

the 240 G Claron in a Copal 1 are good, IC something like 350, also the 240 Germinar are great (I use one of these) in a Copal 1 - These repro lens, so may or may not be in a shutter.

John Hamlen · May 23, 2011

Thanks ic-racer. Having put together the list I'm erring more towards the wider (210 and below) end of things, but will definitely add the 210 to my jump-on-it-when-I-find-one-reasonably-priced list. Hmmm, now how do I edit my originals post :confused: Cheers, John

ic-racer said:
The Fujinon lenses you want are the 250 f 6.7 (398mm) and the 80 degree 210mm W (352mm)
Other than that the list looks OK, I'd just start looking for any of those in the list that are reasonably priced.

John Hamlen · May 23, 2011

Thanks for the additions Ed. Very helpful. Now how on earth did I miss the 165mm SA from the list! Cheers John

John Hamlen · May 23, 2011

Thanks for the advice Mat. The more I research this, the more it seems that Fuji are unsung heroes of the LF lens world! All the best, John

mat4226 said:
That's a pretty comprehensive list there!

I'm going to second what ic-racer said about the older Fuji 210mm W, it's a spectacular wide angle with plenty of movements stopped down.

Barry S · May 23, 2011

Don't forget the 210mm f/9 and 240mm f/9 Graphic Kowa/Computar/Kyvytar lenses. Very compact with huge coverage, although the front filter threads aren't exactly "vaguely standard".

jp80874 · May 23, 2011

You have created a great list, an admirable effort. I know it is well into the project, but I would suggest you add the weight of the lens. You mentioned it, but don’t show the figures. Some of these can be a real beast to carry about.

A lens to add would be the 210mm Super-Symmar HM f5.6 356 100mm weight 1510 grams or 3.33 pounds. I thought it was a hand full until I traded up to a ssxl 210mm 5.6 500 135, weight 2002 gr or 4.41 pounds to obtain coverage for my 7x17.

John Powers

John Kasaian · May 25, 2011

I'd opt for a Nikkor 120 SW or Super Angulon 165 F/8 (if my front standard could take the wieght---those things are huge) but both are out of my budget, so I'll stick with my 159mm Wollensak "wollcoated" yellow dot.

DanielStone · May 25, 2011

go here for specs and other details:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenses/LF8x10in.html

-Dan

John Hamlen · May 25, 2011

LOL - Thanks John P

John Hamlen · May 25, 2011

Thanks John K, and congrats on 1000 posts!

Thanks Daniel - Is that list kept up to date by anyone? Not that LF lenses is a fast moving field, but it's marked as 2002.

Ian Grant · May 25, 2011

There's the 150mm f9 GRII Hexanon, a tiny lens that covers 10x8 well - there are slight variations depending on the cell spacing. Forgot about my 3 GRII Hexanons when I answered the same question on the UK LF forum

In the UK you can often get a set of 3 GRII's 150mm to 300mm for less than £100 ($160). A 150mm GRII on it's own shouldn't be much and it'll fit a TP shutter

Ian

John Hamlen · May 25, 2011

LOL - Cheers Ian
All the best, John

John Hamlen · Jun 3, 2011

Thanks for all your help and suggestions everyone! These are what I ended up buying:
115mm f6.8 Rodenstock Grandagon N
150mm f5.6 Schneider Super Symmar XL
190mm f6.3 Kodak Wide Field Ektar
The 115mm is a bit of an outsider as it doesn't quite cover 8x10, but the price was right and I decided that I could put up with vignetting for such a crazy wide angle!
Can't wait to start using them. Thanks again and all the best, John

8x10 Wide Angle Lens Recommendations

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