Any reason not to get a 110 super symmar

[redrockcoulee]

I came across some extra cash by taking some holidays to work for my previous employer to help them out of a bind and wish to reward myself. My current large format system is a Shen Hao with 150 Symmar, 210 Symmar S and borrowed from a Crown Graphic system 90 Angulon and 135 Xenar. My far the bulk of my shooting is with the 150 followed by the 210. I had been thinking of picking up a wide angle lens with better coverage than the 90 Angulon. Before earning this extra cash I thought about a Calmar II N 90 mm but now thinking of looking for a used 110 Super Symmar.

From all I have read it is a great lens but given my shooting style is it more than I need? I also use a Hasselblad 500 C/M and find that although with it I also use the "normal" lens the most I do use the 50 more than the 150. So perhaps the reason for not using the 90 Angulon more is the lens rather than the wide angle view. The 'blad is a borrowed system that I really like to use and will most likely replace when I lose access to it.

My shooting is mostly of old or deserted industrial buildings and prairie landscapes and more of details than wide shoots but I do like other peoples landscapes shot with a 90 or 110. I would like to keep my system to three lens so how does 110/150/210 compared to 90/150/210? I am a couple of days drive from any store to try out the lenses so your opinions and suggestions are valued/ Thanks

 

[Peter De Smidt]

It's my favorite 4x5 lens. If you carefully buy used, you could always sell it, probably at no loss.

 

[eclarke]

Nope...EC

 

[PepMiro]

I highly reccommend the 110 SS XL. It's very sharp and contrasty in all of its image circle and, consequently, it's very appropiate for the type of photography you do.
Another big advantage is that it's smaller than the SA 90 XL, especially for outdoor shooting.
About the lenses you want to use, I think that they are too close. If I were you, I would use 65, 110 and 210 instead of 110, 150 and 210, but it depends of your personal taste.

 

[Pinholemaster]

No

 

[roteague]

It is the next lens I'm going to buy. I have an 80XL and love it.

 

[Shmoo]

Wish I had one!

 

[KenM]

Got one - it's an 'ok' lens.

Ok, who am I kidding. It's a fantastic lens.

 

[Loose Gravel]

I have one and it spends a lot of time on the 45 and 57. Will cover 810 if you need it to. You will need to size your filters accordingly. I'm using 4" gels as these work with the even wider lenses. Have fun.

 

[JohnArs]

Hi
I find the f 4.5 90 Nikkor in my position the better joice if its also for you I don't know!

Armin

 

[jeroldharter]

Most modern lenses receive high praise for quality.

I think it comes down to image circle to allow for movements, maximum aperture for ease of focusing in low light, physical size and weight, and also filter size.

I have tried to standardize my lenses to the same filter diameter (67mm) for cost and convenience.

It seems like the prices of quality used lenses has stabilized. You might buy the 110 and something else to test and then sell the second place lens at minimal loss.

 

[wildbill]

Take and extra $100 and get the bag bellows for the shen hao. It makes life much easier and you can use it with everything up to the 210mm quite easily. That camera is too hard to lock focus down when you've got all that pressure against the standard bellows. And contrary to what many say, you can fold up the camera with the bag bellows installed.
my 2cents
vinny

 

[Roger Hicks]

Gorgeous lens, and (for my money) more useful than a 90. Although I've only owned older 90s, I don't think my preference is a result of that: the 110 just seems more useful to me. Also covers 5x7/13x18/half plate with movements and 8x10 for interiors.

Cheers,

Roger (www.rogerandfrances.com)

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

I have a 110 Super Symmar XL and I love it! I use mine on 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10.

 

[redrockcoulee]

Thanks for the comments reassuring me that I should treat myself. Already have 77mm filters with a 67-77 step up ring. Was thinking about the bag bellows as well, but now even more so. They are not expensive and I do have some very wide angle pinholes to try on the camera. Guess I will be commencing my search later this summer.

 

[palewin]

I have the 110's cousin, the 80XL, and find I'm using it more and more (and it is a fantastic lens!) So my "standard" lens set is 80/150/210. The 110XL is definitely a super lens, the only decision you need make is the focal length "spread" you want between your lenses.

 

[Peter De Smidt]

Pete gives a good suggestion. Personally, I favor the 110mm, 210mm, 300mm line-up; but since you have a 150, the 80 mm SS might be a better choice than the 110. It's the difference, approximately, between a 35mm and a 25mm lens with 35mm photography. Both are great lenses, though, and you wouldn't be going wrong with either of them.

 

[Bruce Watson]

The 110 SS-XL was the first lens I bought. That was six years ago. It's still my favorite lens. I use it as part of a 110, 150, 240 combination and find that I use each of these about a third of the time. The remaining 10% is split between an 80 and a 360. If I could only have the main three I'd still be a pretty happy guy.

I say go for it. It's so good it's addictive.