Coverage of convertible 210-370 Symmar

[Donald Miller]

I've picked up an old 210-370 Symmar (5.6-12). What format will this cover? I have seen references to covering 5X7 and even someone who claimed coverage on 8X10. The 8X10 coverage seems a bit ambitious to me.

Also are the later MC Symmars convertible in the same way as the earlier convertible Symmar lenses? Thanks for any information.

 

[Ole]

Schneider (http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/vintage_lens_data/large_format_lenses/symmar/data/5,6-210mm.html) claim a coverage of 297mm. Their coverage data are also notoriously conservative... The lens is designed for 5x7", but I had no problems with my 150/265 on 5x7" film.

As long as it's a Symmar and not a Symmar-S or something, it's convertible. I got lucky and picked up a 240/420 for my 18x24cm camera, it has plenty of coverage even with movements.

Some more Symmar data are on http://www.schneiderkreuznach.com/archiv/pdf/sr_5.6_a.pdf .

 

[Donald Miller]

Thanks Ole, I guess that I will mount it and give it a try.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

5x7" easy. 8x10" at relatively close portrait distances.

I like it for portraits and still lifes on 4x5". I rarely use it as a 370, because it requires an extension lensboard even on my Tech V, which has 17" of extension.

 

[Fotoguy20d]

I wandered into this thread looking for info on coverage on these lenses. Thanks for that link Ole. I just picked up a 210/370 and 240/420, the former for 4x5 and the latter for 8x10 (looks like I'll be okay with those intentions). I was cleaning the former and noticed that both front and rear glass formed an image on the wall behind me. I haven't tried this on ground glass yet to see how sharp but what's the story with that? To use as convertible, it's the rear lens in the back, right? I'm gathering that's what creates the issue of bellows draw with the 370 since the nodal point is well behind the board. What happens if you put it on the front?

Thanks,
Dan