Decisions... Which 4x5 Lenses to Sell... Which to Keep

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 1, 2014

As my health fails I've finally accepted the need to sell my 8x10 camera and lenses... that's a done deal. Although I'll probably have to sell the 4x5 gear too, I want to hold on to it for now.

My question regards which 4x5 lenses to sell... not that there's all that much difference in my shaky hands and with my failing mind. Two lens lists follow. All lenses have enough coverage for my needs... shooting 6x12cm roll film with some movements. I really just want the lenses to cover 5x7 (not counting the 38, 47 and 58mm). Size and weight are a concern but I don't want to pair down my focal length options. Both lens group options have seven lenses per kit.

Without making other lens suggestions... WHICH LENS KIT WOULD YOU OPT TO KEEP AND WHY?

LENS GROUP 1 (advantages are smaller/lighter, wider, uniform FL spacing):
38mm SA XL
58mm SA XL
90mm Nik. f/8 SW
135mm Fuji-W (writing on front)... or 135mm Apo Symmar
203mm Kodak Ektar (later version in Compur)
300mm Fuji-C
450mm Fuji-C

LENS GROUP 2 (advantages are more coverage, faster (than f/8), includes awesome 110):
47mm SA XL
72mm SA XL
110mm SS XL
150mm Apo Symmar-L
203mm Kodak Ektar
300mm Fuji-C
450mm Fuji-C

EDIT: I already have the correct center filters for the wide lenses. I'm considering 125mm as "normal" for 6x12cm (56mm x 112mm) film. I couldn't care less about building my lens kit around a "normal" FL lens.

BrianShaw · Jul 1, 2014

Two (2)

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 1, 2014

BrianShaw said:
Two (2)

Okay, thanks. Other than the greater coverage and faster speed (vs. the f/8 Nikon) and of course inclusion of the fabulous 110 SS XL... what is your reasoning?

Alan Gales · Jul 1, 2014

If it was me I would go with group 2 except I would keep the 90mm over the 72mm and sell the 47mm. That 110mm is a real gem!

Of course that's me and not you. I'm not into extreme wide angles. My widest lens for 4x5 is a 90mm. I had a 75mm at one time and found it too wide for my taste.

I wish you well!

Trail Images · Jul 1, 2014

I'd go with 2 also. I find that my 90mm for my 4x5 gets less usage then my lightweight 120mm. More often then not the 210mm is hung on the camera for most landscape shots I take. Just my taste I guess.

Alan Gales · Jul 1, 2014

You know, you have used these lenses and are very familiar with them. It's obvious that you enjoy wide angle lenses and it looks like you are trying to space them out like most people do. Why? I would just pick my favorites and not worry about equal spacing.

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 1, 2014

I like options and ultra-wide is just another option. I like WA images and 47mm is the minimum. It's not that I'll use a 38 or 47 all that much but I do want the option. The fact is the 135/150 and 203 will get the most use followed by the 90/110. All the other FL lenss are just available for those special occasions.

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 1, 2014

Alan Gales said:
You know, you have used these lenses and are very familiar with them. It's obvious that you enjoy wide angle lenses and it looks like you are trying to space them out like most people do. Why? I would just pick my favorites and not worry about equal spacing.

Yeah, I know. I guess I'm a bit anal about efficiency and availability of choices. It bugs me to death if a couple lenses are a bit too close in FL to make much difference in perspective and, likewise, it bugs me even more if they're too far apart.

jp498 · Jul 1, 2014

Pare down your focal length options. You can have plenty of fun and creativity with less variety.

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 1, 2014

jp498 said:
Pare down your focal length options. You can have plenty of fun and creativity with less variety.

I'm not lens monogamous... I like a large harem. Seven gives me a different one for every day of the week.. and that's about all I can handle.

jamespierce · Jul 1, 2014

If you decide the 110mm SS XL can have a new home I would like one very much for both my 4x5 and 8x10 kits !

Alan Gales · Jul 2, 2014

Old-N-Feeble said:
Yeah, I know. I guess I'm a bit anal about efficiency and availability of choices. It bugs me to death if a couple lenses are a bit too close in FL to make much difference in perspective and, likewise, it bugs me even more if they're too far apart.

Well then I would still go with group #2. I would not want to give up that 110.

jamespierce · Jul 2, 2014

Shhhhh

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 2, 2014

I guess I'll keep set #2 plus the 38mm... just in case. If I never use it then I can sell it later.

BrianShaw · Jul 2, 2014

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 2, 2014

I'm going to start another thread asking for opinions regarding the 150mm and 203mm lenses in this kit even though I'm sure the 150 Apo Symmar-L and 203 Ektar are more capable than I will ever be again. I don't need more opinions regarding the other lenses in the kit.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

EdSawyer · Jul 2, 2014

I'd go for kit 2 but also keep the Nikkor 90/8.

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 2, 2014

You guys aren't making this easy. I have both kits complete and really don't want to sell any lenses. However, I can't carry them all and I need the money.

RalphLambrecht · Jul 2, 2014

jp498 said:
Pare down your focal length options. You can have plenty of fun and creativity with less variety.

good point. my default FL spacing for all formats is~0.5 normal,normal and ~2xnormal.served me well from 35mm through MF and 4x5;also cuts down on cost,weight and complexity

StoneNYC · Jul 2, 2014

EdSawyer said:
I'd go for kit 2 but also keep the Nikkor 90/8.

Agreed, the 90mm is a great FL for 4x5

removed account4 · Jul 2, 2014

id keep #2 as well just as it is ...
having 7 or 8 lenses is nice, gives lots of nice options
its funny, i still have a 127 & a 135 and 150 and even though they are close,
they are different enough that they all get used

sorry to hear you are lightening the load ..

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 3, 2014

Yeah, I like options too. I find that a multiplication factor of 1.5x works very well for me. Set #1 is very appealing because each lens is nearly perfectly 1.5x apart. It's not that important if they're close but I'm just weird that way. Set #2 has slightly better performing lenses but a couple are larger/heavier than the comparable FL in set #1. In the end I'll accept more bulk/weight before compromising on performance and variety. Too, set #2 has faster lenses which will help in overcast days or late evening and early morning situations... that is if I replace the 203 Ektar with a nice plasmat.

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 5, 2014

Still listening (watching).

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 5, 2014

I just found a 210mm Apo Symmar-L for $375 and bought it. I hope it's in decent shape. My "guess" is someone at the retail operation priced it as a non-L version. I'll know in a few days.

I "might" sell the 203 Ektar in a few days. Anyone interested? This is a super-nice late example in Compur shutter. If anyone is interested then I'll post the eBay link in the Classifieds Section... assuming that's allowed. Actually, IIRC, I have a second slightly older but coated copy stashed away too. I'll have to look.

Trail Images · Jul 5, 2014

210mm Apo Symmar-L for $375 and bought it

Sounds like an excellent buy if not injured in anyway. I have the non-L and use the heck out of it with very nice results.

Decisions... Which 4x5 Lenses to Sell... Which to Keep

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