Cheap lenses for 5x7

darkosaric · Nov 5, 2016

Hi,

Friend of mine just got himself a 5x7 camera, but without lens (no budget right now). Before he buys a decent lens - is there some super cheap lens for 5x7? Quality is not important, shutter also not mandatory - just that he (we ) can test and play with the camera.
Thanks!

winterclock · Nov 5, 2016

Surplus Shed here in the US has a coated Achromat 200mm focal length 40mm diameterfor around $15US. I don't know if that will help you in Germany. http://www.surplusshed.com/pages/item/pa1055.html
Annd it's sold, never mind. they do list other lenses at about that FL though.

Rick A · Nov 5, 2016

I have a 5x8(8 1/4")lens from an old Seneca 5x7 I'll part with on the cheap, shipping might not be so cheap though. I'll have to dig it out and see if the shutter still works, been a while since I used it.

mrosenlof · Nov 5, 2016

one of these will cover 5x7. The one I have covers 8x10.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NUARC-JML-8...206075?hash=item1c41a1c8fb:g:ShwAAOxyEFFTlhFw

no connection or knowledge of the seller!

or look for Eskofot Ultragon, both the 150 and 210s cover 5x7 easily. You should be able to get either of those for under US$100 and maybe both.

These are process lenses from copy cameras once used in the printing industry. My experience with them is that they're very sharp.

Toffle · Nov 5, 2016

mrosenlof said:
These are process lenses from copy cameras once used in the printing industry. My experience with them is that they're very sharp.

Or, if you want really soft... http://re-inventedphotoequip.com/Lenses.html

Vaughn · Nov 5, 2016

I would look for any old processing lens 210mm in length, perhaps a little longer...up to 300mm. Do not worry about a few scratches if the price is right! The glass should be clear and the barrel should not have major dings (glass may not be properly aligned once it has been dropped.)

removed account4 · Nov 5, 2016

cheap junk store box cameras and folders sometimes have lenses tha have a large coverage.
i've harvested a bunch of them and use them often ..

jimgalli · Nov 22, 2016

Got an old junker pair of binoculars laying around? Take one of the front lights off and cobble it onto the camera. Usually about 8" and a fine soft focus doublet.

haziz · Feb 20, 2017

It depends on what you, or him, consider cheap. 210 mm was always popular and is the normal lens for the format. An older 210 mm lens is relatively inexpensive.

Nokton48 · Feb 20, 2017

Schneider Componon enlarging lenses are sometimes very cheap and are very much quality underrated LF shooting lenses

John Wiegerink · Feb 20, 2017

Agfa Repromaster lens...................outstanding, but maybe to sharp for you. They have superb coverage for their focal length. I have two, a 135mm and a 180mm. The 180mm will cover 8X10 at infinity and I'm sure the 135mm would cover 5X7, but have never tried it. Do a web search and you'll learn more. There are some on the big auction site, but they are asking a little much right now. I got both of mine off there for mere peanuts. Keep watching!

Soeren · Feb 21, 2017

Sometimes leicashop has some interesting lenses at the right price.
http://www.leicashop.com/vintage_en/various-lenses.html

Im not sure about coverage but these may be of interest. One suffer from fungus but if you don't mind that....

http://www.leicashop.com/vintage_en...okyo-21cm-6-3-congo-anastigmat-sku2698-7.html

http://www.leicashop.com/vintage_en...es/ross-london-8-5-4-5-xpres-sku103737-1.html

http://www.leicashop.com/vintage_en...s/schneider-19-5cm-4-5-xenar-sku12537-24.html

revdoc · Feb 21, 2017

Pinhole!

darkosaric · Feb 21, 2017

Thank you all for feedback. On the end he got some FSU lens on ebay for 50-60€ or so. We are planning to test the lens this weekend with the paper instead of negative.

removed account4 · Feb 21, 2017

darkosaric said:
Thank you all for feedback. On the end he got some FSU lens on ebay for 50-60€ or so. We are planning to test the lens this weekend with the paper instead of negative.

be really careful ... shooting paper negatives can be a wicked addiction !

darkroom_rookie · Feb 23, 2017

Kodak Ektapro 180/3,5 projection lens. After you cut the rear tubus as near the glass as you are able to, it just covers 5x7", with a near-Petzval bokeh. Well-coated and made in Germany in the 90s. Plastic body. Mine cost me €1+Versand, brand new unusued old stock, front and rear caps included.

Cheap lenses for 5x7

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