Fujinon 240mm f9

[MikeK]

Does anyone have any experience with the Fujinon-A 240mm f9?

TIA

Mike

 

[H. G. Hart]

i have not used this lens personally, but i have heard excellent things. also, i think it is the only lens in this focal length with a copal #0 shutter. it may have been recently discontinued, but should still be available until current stock runs out. i see used ones for sale occasionally. hope that helps.

H.G.

 

[MikeK]

Thanks for the feedback. I have the opportunity to try before I buy and it should be dropped off later today. So I can give it a try.

I am anxious to get back to using my 8x10 as I had a really nasty accident and it fell to the kitchen floor. Glue and patience repaired my poor old Seneca but my lens was totally ruined. The old Betax 5 shutter literally fell apart on the inside. The repair estimate was more than the Fujinon

If all goes well I might be able to post a contact print taken with this lens.

- Mike

 

[bronicadave]

I've been using this lens for about a year now on a 4x5. Coverage is WAY more than adequate for 4x5. Sharpness and contrast are excellent. I've used it from magnifications from 1:1 through infinity with equal success. It's a great lens if you don't mind F9 which makes focusing more difficult. I've also used the G-Clarons is assorted focal lengths so I was use to that.

 

[MikeK]

Dave, thanks for the feedback. The fact that it is an f9 does not worry me as I have an f9 150mm G-Claron and an f8 120mm Super Angulon and have never had any problems focusing or composing.

The lens has arrived It is indeed a compact lens. Mounted in a Copal 0 shutter and takes a 52mm filter. It looks to be a single coated version but is in great condition.

I have now mounted the lens on a Wista Lens board and ready for some test shots with my 4x5, 5x7 and freshly repaired 8x10. Film holders loaded, so off I go

- Mike

 

[Steve Hamley]

I've also used the 240 Fuji A f/9 for a little over a year. Sharp, small, multicoated, will cover 8x10. There's no reason not to use it if you want a 240.

Thanks!

Steve

 

[jbrodkey]

Kerry Thalmann calls it one of the "future classics". You can read about it on his web site, but I've copied what he has to say:

"240mm f9 Fujinon A (245g, 52mm, 336mm) -
This, my friends, is an absolutely amazing gem of a little lens. It's the longest non-telephoto focal length ever offered in a #0 shutter, yet it can hit the corners of 8x10 with a little to spare. As an APO process type plasmat, performance, as you would expect, at close distances is outstanding. I have also used this lens extensively for distant subjects, and it is also an excellent performer for that application. Although, it is a stop slower than the 210mm f5.6 plasmats, for hiking and backpacking, I greatly prefer it due to its compact size, light weight and smaller filter size. Unfortunately, Fuji decided to discontinue this little beauty during the summer of 1998. As of this writing, there are still a VERY limited number of new samples available from existing dealer stock. If you're lucky enough to find one, I recommend snapping it up. If not, they should be available occasionally on the used market."

You're lucky to have found one..........

Jerry

 

[DrPhil]

My 240 fujinon A is one of my favorite lenses. I use it with 4x5 and now with 5x7. I've used it with 8x10 too; however, you won't get much in the way of movements with 8x10.

While I have no quantitative evidence, I believe this is my sharpest lens.

 

[steve simmons]

I agree that the 240 Fuji is a real gem. It has an image circle of 336mm at infinity which will allow for some movements on 8x10. This is also my normal lens for 5x7.

A more up to date article on Fuji lenses by Kerry appeared in View Camera about two years ago.

stev e simmons
www.viewcamera.com