Best/you're favorite 180mm lens for 4x5, and why?

harlequin · Jun 14, 2023

Hello

Purchased an Omega 4/5 camera with 90mm wide angle Fuji lens, I will look at 180mm lenses as I like the view and perspective not doin table top or portraits.

If you use 180 lens, which brand/model/version do you prefer and why?

Thanks for your responses!!

Harlequin

ic-racer · Jun 14, 2023

I have this one, though I have never used it on 4x5" format. I have only used it on 8x10. I think it is a great lens.

Sirius Glass · Jun 14, 2023

The Hasselblad 180mm lens, but I do not own one since already have the 150mm lens and the 250mm lens. Donations of the Hasselblad 180mm lens or cash will be accepted.

RalphLambrecht · Jun 14, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
The Hasselblad 180mm lens, but I do not own one since already have the 150mm lens and the 250mm lens. Donations of the Hasselblad 180mm lens or cash will be accepted.

I have the 15 and 180mm for Hasselblad and find the 180 to be superior as well as better suited for portraits.

ic-racer · Jun 14, 2023

Almost forgot I do have a 180mm for my 4x5" kit. It is a Topcor 180mm. It is a fine Japanese lens, I found no reason to replace it with anything else.

harlequin · Jun 14, 2023

Sorry if I didn’t make it clear
I am using an Omega 4x5 camera.

I I could afford Hasselblad lenses
And the image circle was enough to cover 4x5 I would consider it.

I did post in the large format thread?
Sorry for any confusion on my part.

Harlequin

MattKing · Jun 14, 2023

harlequin said:
I am using an Omega 4x5 camera.

Thread title tweaked accordingly.
It is always worthwhile to assume that people aren't noticing which forum you are posting in . Not surprising, for those who access Photrio on a cel phone.

abruzzi · Jun 14, 2023

I have a Nikkor 180, and it is a fine lens, but I don't shoot that focal length that often. The Nikkor W lenses are great sharp contrasty plasmats.

Sirius Glass · Jun 14, 2023

RalphLambrecht said:
I have the 15 and 180mm for Hasselblad and find the 180 to be superior as well as better suited for portraits.

Yes the 180mm is superior to the 150mm lens for portraits, but I very rarely take portraits.

MarkS · Jun 15, 2023

I've been using a Nikkor-W 180/5.6 since about 1985. It's my 'normal' lens for 4x5. It has both high resolution and contrast, which I've grown used to.
And for a long time on the job, we had a 1960s Schneider 'convertible' Symmar 180/5.6. That is a fine lens as well, but the Nikkor certainly has higher contrast. I once did an A-B comparison to find differences between the two, and they were quite small.
But any of the 'modern' 180mm plasmat-style lenses will do a fine job. You'll be hard-pressed to find a quality difference between them.
For portraits I'd prefer a longer focal length, for the perspective more than anything else.

Doremus Scudder · Jun 15, 2023

Fujinon A 180mm f/9. I like it because it's small.

It folds up inside my Wista DXs too, because it's small. Weighs only 170 grams (compared to about 400 grams for the f/5.6 Plasmats). Image circle is 252mm, enough for lots of movements on 4x5.

Doremus

xkaes · Jun 15, 2023

If you like your Fujinon 90mm -- I'm assuming you are using an f8 model -- check out the Fujinon NW 180mm. They made TWO versions of the NW 180mm lens, and one has a 67mm filter thread -- the same as your 90mm f8. It's not as small or light as the Fujinon A 180mm, but it's one stop faster, and a LOT less expensive.

FUJINON LARGE FORMAT LENSES SORTED BY FOCAL LENGTH

harlequin · Jun 15, 2023

MattKing

Thanks for tweaking thread!!

Axelwik · Jun 15, 2023

The Nikkor W 180mm f5.6 is a fine lens - very sharp with good contrast - covers up to 5x7 and I've used it for 6x9, 4x5, and 5x7. Not too expensive.

I absolutely love my Fujinon A 180mm f9 because its incredibly sharp and very small/lightweight. 46mm filter thread, apochromatic, and it's one of the two lenses I use for a lightweight 5x7 outfit - fantastic results. With this lens and my Nikkor 300mm f9 my 5x7 kit weighs right at 10 pounds. Lighter than my 4x5 setup. Makes a big difference when schlepping into the sticks.

L Gebhardt · Jun 15, 2023

I have a Nikon W 180mm as well, but got it for my 5x7 normal lens. I’ve since replaced it with one with move coverage, but it’s great for 4x5 if you don’t mind the weight. Normally I take the 200 Nikkor M instead because of the size for the 4x5. I would love to try the Fujinon A for my 5x7 to cut the weight.

jimgalli · Jun 16, 2023

Better answer. Had time to think on it. My favorite 180mm lens on a 4X5 is a 203mm f7.7 Kodak. But make sure it's from the mid '50's and coated. Deadly sharp and it'll be the tiniest lens in your back pack. Weighs about 6 oz. soaking wet.

hsandler · Jun 17, 2023

I have the Symmar-S 180mm f5.6. It's been great, and has lots of image circle for movements.

Untitled by Howard Sandler, on Flickr

DREW WILEY · Jun 21, 2023

The tiny 180 A Fuji. Extremely well corrected, all the way from very close up to infinity. Generous image circle, sufficient for 5X7 too with modest movements, but not for 8X10 at all.

Besk · Jun 21, 2023

180mm/5.6 Caltar II N (Rodenstock Sironar N) the only 180mm lens I own. So far only use it for 5x7.

Vaidotas · Jun 22, 2023

Uncoated Tessar 180/6.3.
Kind of rough character in comparison to modern plasmats.

Best/you're favorite 180mm lens for 4x5, and why?

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