Fuji 180mm f5.6: 305mm image circle?

[watanabe`]

So I recently made the plunge to LF, buying a 4x5 Norma in great condition(seems like they all are though!) with a normal + WA bellows and magnifier accesory.

When it comes to lenses, I was hoping to get ones that would be useful to me *when* I move up to 8x10 as this was my goal with getting into LF - contact prints, but I wanted to start practicing with 4x5 first; money is also an issue.
So I found this excellent site going over all of Fuji's lineup (http://www.members.aol.com/subgallery/byfl.htm) and was intrigued by one of the 180mm lenses:

W 180mm, f5.6-64, 80 degree, 305mm, Copal 1, 58mm filter size, Single coating. "Marked inside filter ring."(vs. outside the barrel)

This seemed pretty great to me, as I want to do architectural work as well, and when I move up to 8x10 it would probably be wide enough to cover (albeit with little/no movement). Anyways I was checking out the yahoo auctions(I live in Japan, was trying to avoid shipping fee's) and I found a 180mm Fuji W f5.6. However, it was advertised as having a 67mm filter size, 76degree coverage - which would make it the "NW". In the photos I could clearly see the inscription was on the inside, not on the outside as the NW is supposed to have. I decided that it might be the older W, with the 305mm image circle, but that even if it was the newer one, I didn't mind as it was cheap and I would get the EBC coating over the single.

To wrap things up, the lens arrived today (before my Norma) and it's sitting in a "Copal Elec-No.1" shutter (which sounds accurate) and the filter size is, luckily enough, 58mm!

My question is: anyone have experience with this lens? In particular, I'm a bit skeptical if it really has such a large image circle, as I would think that it would be more popular if that were the case, given its ability to cover 8x10 at a relatively wide angle for that format. Despite that my google searches turned up was another post on a different LF forum talking about the 210 and other confusion about what it indeed covered.

Worst case scenario I will wait till the Norma shows up and do some tests measuring how much I can shift before coverage runs out and then calculate what my lens covers from there.


Cheers,

Alexander

 

[2F/2F]

If it is the W model, is has an image circle of 305mm. (I find this: http://graflex.org/lenses/lens-spec.html helpful quite often, though it is not totally complete.)

I don't know off hand at what aperture Fuji measures their image circles, or how stringent their criteria are. I know from experience that Schneider is very conservative with their image circle ratings, and I think they give you the image circle at f/22.

I have used my 121mm f/8 on 8x10, even though it should vignette with its image circle of 290mm. What makes this possible is that the image circle will get a bit larger if you stop down past the aperture at which the manufacturer measures, and also the aforementioned fact that Schneider seems rather harsh on themselves.

The problem is that lenses that barely cover give you little shift, which allows you to manipulate convergence. (Please do not fall into the trap of calling it "perspective"...it is not.) If you are shooting straight on, fine. But otherwise, you are limited.

Also, a little darkening on the edges is not the end of the world. It can be minimized and/or incorporated with careful printing. If you are of the digital printing breed, you have it even easier.

 

[Pinholemaster]

I own this lens, and when it is centered on my 8x10 camera, I get just a little fall off in the corners.

Here are two images made with this lens. You'll see the drop off in the top corners. The second image has some blockage from the bellows in the lower left. This is why I now own a bag bellows.

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Hope this is helpful.

 

[df cardwell]

Great shot, Walter

It illustrates the two VERY different standards for measurng lens coverage. In today's aesthetics,
the darkened corners are pleasant, and add to the picture. In a different context, the dark corners would be accursed.

The lens seems to give a 7x9 clear image. Only shooting will tell you what works for you.

 

[k_jupiter]

Oh hell Walter. I grew up there. Old Manchester Road. Red Hill. Just down the hill from Mexico.

My dear old ma still lives in Westminster. One of those condos near the college (which they changed the name of).

Nice photographs BTW. I don't miss Carroll County much though.

tim in san jose

 

[watanabe`]

Cheers Walter, thanks for those images!

Kinda disappointing that it won't really cover, but good to know before I go out shooting 8x10. At least I'll have lots of movements available for 4x5.