Favorite 4x5" "portrait" lens?

[MikeSeb]

Well, folks, I may have had a partial solution, or at least another option, dropped into my lap, as I've detailed in (there was a url link here which no longer exists).

To summarize, I've discovered that the old beat-up 8x10 view camera given me by my father-in-law some years ago as a decorative piece contains a Goerz Dogmar 10-3/4" lens in a Goerz Compound shutter. They are presently at SK Grimes for CLA, and to investigate the feasibility either of mounting the lens in a modern shutter that will fit a Linhof-style board; or of mounting shutter+lens on such a board, if the shutter can be restored to full function.

Needless to say, I'm excited about the prospect---I'll keep everyone apprised over on the linked thread.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

 

[spongeboy]

My favourite FL is about 10". I have an (uncoated) 10"/6.3 Conley Anastigmat Ser.V (Alphax shutter).....same as Wolly Ser. I, I think. Benefits from a good matte box and the round aperture makes for great OOF rendering, can sometimes be too sharp for some portrait situations though at small apertures and therefore gets used wide open to f8 a lot. I also like the 4x5 Wolly Teles 10"/4.5 (I only have the 15"/5.6 version though, for 5x7). Have you tried your 210mm though?

 

[Kimberly Anderson]

I have been using a 360 for a series I'm working on right now.

 

[ClaudeZ]

Mr. Cardwell as always is the voice of
reason here. For once, though, I would
disagree with him only in his opinion
that 300 is too long. I use a 12-inch
Commercial Ektar on my Sinar Norma
for most of my work in 4x5 and 5x7
and I find it to be the ideal length for
my purposes. I'm attaching a close
headshot with the 12-inch CE on 4x5
for reference.

Thanks for showing the head shot with 4x5 and 12" lens. I wasn't sure if I was going to purchase a 300mm for closeup head and shoulder shots. I was happy with your results.

Claude

 

[Craig Roberts]

Portrait lens, 4x5

an 8-1/2 inch commercial ektar. You can't "out shoot it". it is fine for portraits and general work. Craig

 

[SchwinnParamount]

Mike,

You already have the 210 and I presume you have some film. Go out and have a little fun. You can develop the results and decide for your self if the 210 does the job. Me? I use a Kodak Commercial Ektar 8.5" on my Crown Graphic... and I love the SNOT out of it for portraits.

Craig? High-five, dude.

... AND... Mike, I just now observed that you made your original post early in 2009. In March, you discovered that you had an 8x10 available. Please please, give this thread an update on your project. Did you use the 8x10?