Generous movements in the 125-150mm range (4x5)?

[celluloidpropaganda]

I'm looking for my first (used) lens for a new Shen-Hao that arrived last week, and thought I'd ask for budget recommendations in the slightly-wide to normal range for a f/5.6 lens with room for generous movements - 220mm, give or take?

Size and weight are less of a concern, I don't do any kind of backpacking or hiking.

Any recommendations for where to look are appreciated. I find from some links that the older Fujinon-W lists as a 220mm image circle - is that fairly accurate, or overly generous?

 

[celluloidpropaganda]

I forgot to say, I'm looking at f/5.6 lenses. The Super-Angulons are a little spendy, and I'd prefer a wider/brighter viewing aperture for the most part.

[edit: oh, no I didn't, I said that in the first one. d'oh]

 

[Ole]

Lots of coverage and budget...

120mm : Angulon f:6.8.
135mm or 150mm : Symmar f:5.6.

Old convertible Symmars will be cheaper than later -S or other versions, and also give a marginally usable longer focal length for those situations where nothing else will do the trick.

The Angulon covers about 220mm (well stopped down), the Symmar 150mm a little bit less (but can be used on 5x7" if you have to - I've tried).

 

[photobackpacker]

First of all, you need to change your "shooter" description to LF. You have taken the first step!

I was told that the 210 was a great first lens and, to this day, I probably shoot more images with that lens than any of the others I have. There are a large number of 210s out there and most are first rate. Mine is a Rodenstock but I have heard good things about Schneider, Nikkor and Fuji.

I ended up doing something that has worked extremely well. My Rodenstock uses 67mm filters. So does my Nikkor 90 and my Nikkor 65. My Rodenstock 150 Sironar-s and Nikkor 300 M use smaller filters easily covered with step-down rings. This has proven to be very cost effective.

You are putting together a system. The glass you buy today will stay with you a long time. Believe me, you will want to spend additional dollars on different focal lengths rather than trade-ups. Think system and hold out for quality. You won't regret it.

 

[Ole]

Unlike blaughn "slightly long" is my least used lens. I use 90 a lot, 121 quite a bit, 150 very often, 210 hardly ever, and 360 when all else fails. I also use all of those lenses on 5x7", which skews the selection even further towards wide. On 5x7" I use the 90 a little bit less, 121 a little more, and often replace the 150 with 165 and the 210 with 240.

 

[Rick Haug]

You might also consider a used Fujinon W f5.6 150mm. It has a listed image circle of 224mm. I've noticed they often will be less expensive than comparable models from Schneider, Rodenstock and Nikon.

My first lens was a Fujinon 135 f5.6, but it's image circle of 206mm is less than what you're looking for. My second lens was a 210. I chose 135 as a starter based on my 35mm format preference of using a slightly wider than normal more than a slightly longer than normal.

 

[Rick Haug]

Forgot your "where to look" question. KEH and Midwest Photographic Exchange are both good sources of used lenses in the USA. Both have trial periods and good return policies.

 

[celluloidpropaganda]

I was thinking about getting a 210mm (prob. a Caltar S-II, they seem to be a good balance of quality to price) as my second lens. I stick pretty closely to the 35-50 range in 35mm and 75-80mm in 6x6, so a long lens would be something new at least.

I'm going to start hunting on the Fujinons and the convertible Symmar to start with, thanks for these.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

180mm lenses are kind of sleepers, so you can often find something really good, like a Caltar II-N, at a reasonable price. They're just on the long side of normal--like a 60mm lens for 35mm, say--but should cover 5x7" with movements, so plenty for 4x5".

A 168mm ser. iii Dagor (mine at least) will cover 8x10", and it's really small. Excellent lens for architectural subjects with 4x5".

135mm Wide Field Ektar should give you lots of room, if you want something on the wider side with good movements.

 

[removed account4]

you might also keep an eye on the equinoxphotographic site.
they tend to have large format lenses ( used ) at reasonable prices,
and if you have questions about things he is selling and email, they is very good about getting back to you and answering any questions you may have. there are a bunch of nice lenses on this site now - a 210/370 symmar convertable ( linhof ) and a tiny little wollensak exwa 90mm lens. i have (or have had) both of these lensess ( which both cover 5x7 ) and they are really sweet!

as for a 150mm, you might also keep an eye out for a computar symmetrigon. i have and love this lens - huge coverage ( the guy i bought it from used it on an 8x10 ) and not too much $$.

good luck!

john

 

[jovo]

I think one's preference for wide, 'normal' or long lenses is somewhat predicated on where you live and what you typically photograph. As I live in New York, I don't have much use for very wide lenses though when I go to the coast, I sometimes wish I had one. If I lived in the west, I'd probably want the widest lens I could fit on my camera. Unless you're new to photography, you'll probably want LF lenses that more or less corespond to what you're used to in your previous format. I suggest starting with just one and see how you feel about making photographs with it. Good luck!

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Hey, Jovo--I live in New York, and I always need wide lenses. I can never step back far enough, because there is always some building in the way.

 

[jovo]

Hey, Jovo--I live in New York, and I always need wide lenses. I can never step back far enough, because there is always some building in the way.

Such is the limit of my generalization. Up here in the Hudson Valley, I'm likely to back into a tree but I don't seem to miss a wide lens for my 4x5. I have a 55mm for my P67 which is the least used lens I own.

 

[df cardwell]

I'll second the motions for 120 Angulon /6.8; 135 Wide Field Ektar. They are reasonably common and have become forgotten lenses: they are superb.

An 8 1/2 Commercial Ektar ( 210 ) is a dazzler.

Have fun.

 

[Paul Sorensen]

Apparently the first generation 150mm Fujinon W f/5.6 has an image circle of 245mm. It is the one that has the print on the inside of the filter threads rather than the outside. Not to be confused with the W f/6.3, which is a different beast all together. I have one of the 150mm 5.6s and I love it, however I have never had another 150mm lens to compare it to.

 

[celluloidpropaganda]

I really like the look of the 120mm Angulon (there are two on Ebay) - a nice compact size can never hurt. Is $200 a decent price for a good specimen? Doesn't seem to be a recent track record of them on the 'bay.