Am I going to regret getting this lens?

[drgoose]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum as well as to LF photography. I got a Crown Graphic a couple of weeks ago but I just bought a Calumet Cadet for 150$. It comes with a lens board but I don't have it in my possession yet so I don't know the diameter of the hole. I bought today from KEH a 90 F6.8 ANGULON SYNCHRONIZED FOR FLASH COMP-P B (4X5)(35 MOUNT) with a [FONT=arial, sans-serif]CAMBO SC 34 HOLE RECESSED board that I was told might need minor fitting (1mm diameter difference). I am hoping that accidentally the lens and the board that comes with the camera will match but if not is it really difficult to shave the 1mm diameter difference?

The second question is if this is a good lense to start in LF photography. I plan to do moslty landscapes but in medium format I enjoy using wide angle lenses up close. I am afraid that once again buying cheap might turn out to be expensive and I will have to return the board and the lens.
If that is the case would you have any recommendations regarding a lens in the 300-400$ range in the 90mm length that would be a good way to start?

Thanks in advance.

Joaquin Barbará

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[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to APUG

The 90mm lens that you brought works well with the Crown Graphic. I do not know anything about the Calumet Cadet.

 

[removed account4]

your lens was originally made for a smaller format
but because it covers a 4x5 negative people love it
that said, it covers, but the lens wont offer you any ( maybe a teensy weensy little bit ) movements.
have fun!
john

 

[munz6869]

There's nothing 'wrong' with the 90mm f/6.8 - it's sharp and light and useful. The only shortcoming would be a small circle of coverage (so, a bit of rise or tilt and you'll start to get vignetting), and that even with a recessed board, on a monorail without bag bellows you might find those movements a bit stiff. You'll have to see. That said, it's a nice landscape and architectural starter lens, and when you get fed up with it's shortcomings (as you become more 'ace' at using it), you'll find a ready re-sale market with all those folks who are yet to buy a lens for their Wanderlust (Kickstarter) cameras (which are optimised for that specific lens).

When you do upgrade - if you still love 90mm, it's worth looking at the Calumet (poor Calumet) 90mm lenses - they are re-badged modern Rodenstock lenses and invariably cheaper because of that.

Marc!

 

[Dr Croubie]

If that is the case would you have any recommendations regarding a lens in the 300-400$ range in the 90mm length that would be a good way to start?

The 90/6.8 Angulon, as said, will give you approximately no room to shift. Keep it for a few weeks until the Travelwides eventually get released and then sell it on to someone with one of them (possibly at a profit).
I got my Fujinon SWD 90mm f/5.6 for $200. 105 degrees gives great coverage, I can't shift my Toyo enough to hit the edge of the image circle (yet).
For $3-400 you can get one of these, a Grandagon N, or an f/5.6 Super Angulon easily. The SA XL versions give 120 degrees but are about double that price.

 

[Robert Ley]

One of the big advantages of 4x5 view cameras is the ability to move the lens in relation to the film. This gives you the ability to correct for perspective and increase the DofF without excessive stopping down. That being said, a lens with a large enough image circle is important. Starting out learning camera movements with a 90mm lens is not ideal especially the 90 Angulon as it has a very limited IC. Many find that there is not a direct correlation between focal lengths in smaller formats and 4x5. I know that my main lens in 35 was a 35mm and 6x7was a 90. In 4x5 I tend to go a little longer and like a 135-210.
With the longer lenses you will generally get a generous IC that will allow you to take greater advantage of movements.

There are several good books on the subject of LF, get one and read up it will help in making good choices and check out the LF forum and there home web page.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[drgoose]

Thanks to everyone for your advice. I guess I will play with it for a couple of weeks and then sell it. Just out of curiosity what are the "Travelwides".

Sorry. Dr. Google answered my question about the travelwides.

 

[Tom1956]

I regret buying anything I buy. Especially photographic gear. So on that, I compromise and appease myself by only buying total junk that has to be restored. Like the 3 Hasselblad bodies I got last week for 110 dollars. One was a 553 ELX, and the other 2 were old 500C's. So far, so fair on the restoration work, but I'm getting there. At least 2 of the 3 are going to turn out just fine.

 

[Axle]

This is a fantastic lens, but as mentioned offers very little in the way of movements. I use it on my Speed Graphic. Very sharp and produces wonderful results.