G-Claron 305/9 for portraiture

[Marc Leest]

I am in the (used) market for a portraiture lens (4x5'). Offers at this moment are a Sironar-N 300 in Copal3 - huge or a G-Claron 305 in Compur1. The G-Claron is cheaper, but would it be a good deal for my purpose ?

thx, MArc

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

MY 305mm G-Claron is an extremely sharp and contrasty lens that covers 8x10 with movements. I've never used it for portraiture - if I did I'd probably use a diffuser of some sort.

 

[matt miller]

As Tom said, the G-Claron might be too sharp for portraiture. Might be too slow (f/9) as well. It all depends on your tastes.

 

[lee]

As Tom said, the G-Claron might be too sharp for portraiture. Might be too slow (f/9) as well. It all depends on your tastes.

I shot a family portrait several years ago with my 305 G Claron and it was on color film and the photo was a big hit.

go for it,

lee\c

 

[Pinholemaster]

I'm sure the lens is fine if you enjoy the sharp, sharp detail it will record.

Personally I'd get a little faster lens than f/9.0, but it budget is the issue, I say go for it. You may be onto a great new look by not getting a lens that is soft with shallow depth of field!

Don't look back, do it.

 

[resummerfield]

I am in the (used) market for a portraiture lens (4x5').....

If you want an outstanding PORTRAIT lens, consider the 250mm Rodenstock Imagon, in either the newer Copal 3 or even the Compound 3.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I am in the (used) market for a portraiture lens (4x5'). Offers at this moment are a Sironar-N 300 in Copal3 - huge or a G-Claron 305 in Compur1. The G-Claron is cheaper, but would it be a good deal for my purpose ?

thx, MArc

Dear Marc,

The G-Claron is fine -- I've used mine on 4x5 and 8x10. The Sironar-N offers a couple of stops more speed, but I find this matters surprisingly little on 4x5 inch with a lens this long. If it is too sharp for your taste, you can always add some form of diffuser.

I'm no great lover of Imagons. This is partly pure personal taste, and partly that they don't make 'em long enough: I prefer 8x10 for portraits and normally use a 21 inch (533mm) f/7.7 Ross. Seriously old lenses like this (it's about 100 years old) can give some wonderful portrait effects.

Cheers,

R.