Getting started

monkeykoder · Oct 2, 2008

I'm looking to get started in large format. I'm looking at a 4x5 camera (which hopefully I have already purchased and should ship soon). I'm going with a monorail as I'm looking at doing either landscapes close to a car or architectural for the most part with maybe a couple of portraits but most likely none. Right now I'm looking at lenses hopefully in the sub $200 range that might work looking for a lens in the normal range toward the short end but I'm completely lost as to what to look for. I've read just about everything on choosing lenses on largeformatphotography.info but for the most part it seems to just say go with anything relatively new (last 50-60 years). Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Nick Zentena · Oct 2, 2008

135mm to 210mm.

Just look for something in your budget. Go to Keh and Mpex and see what they have. Might find something in the budget grade from Fuji for that price.

The only issue I can see is a question of how much coverage. The Fuji-W 150mm F/5.6 [Not the slower 150mm] covers something like 250mm and is normally a very good deal price wise.

loman · Oct 2, 2008

Get a schneider 135mm symmar. Or a newer symmar s. They ought to be relatively cheap. For a wide angle You could go for an older 90mm super angulon f8 (cheapest option) or a 90mm rodenstock grandagon f6.8 (Pre "N" version).
These suggestions are all modern designs. There are a ton of other options inlcuding vintage lenses that will do a great job.
I'm sure others will chime in with many options.
Best Regards
Mads

reellis67 · Oct 2, 2008

I was able to get nice examples of the 127mm, 152mm, and 203mm Ektar lenses for somewhat less than your stated $200 mark ($150 in total I believe), but that was some time ago. I have since sold the 152mm for lack of use, although it was a nice lens, for around twice what I paid for it if I remember correctly. These are the only lenses that I have for my 4x5 and I find them to be quite handy. I suppose that newer lenses would be nicer, but I can't really find anything wrong with the results that I'm getting now, and these are paid for (a handy bonus!)

Are you interested in doing any color work, or just black and white? Also, check your minimum bellows draw before investing in a short lens so you know if you will need a recessed lens board or not...

- Randy

monkeykoder · Oct 2, 2008

Thanks for the advice so far. What is the opinion of going with say a 135mm or maybe a little shorter and calling that short enough will it give me a reasonable field of view for architectural work? I'm guessing it would at least do for landscape work. For the most part I plan on shooting B&W until I happen upon a jobo or the like that I can afford at that moment.

Nick Zentena · Oct 2, 2008

The problem with the 135mm and demanding movements is they mostly don't have lots of coverage. If they have the coverage you need go for it. Shorter lenses tend to be more wide angle designs with more coverage. Plenty of 90-120mm lenses with lots of coverage.

reellis67 · Oct 2, 2008

Like Nick stated, check the coverage on any prospective lens since you are likely going to need the movements.

- Randy

monkeykoder · Oct 3, 2008

Where does one go to find coverage information on a given lens usually keh just has 4x5 somewhere in there does this mean these lenses will barely cover 4x5 or does that mean 4x5 is the maximum size they will cover with movements or does it just mean it was pulled off of a 4x5 body? Is there somewhere that keeps a database with coverage information for a reasonable number of lenses?

Nick Zentena · Oct 3, 2008

Scheinder lists info on most of their lenses. Including some fairly old ones. On their websites.

The Fuji lenses are here:

http://members.aol.com/subgallery/byseries.htm

Most modern lenses have been discussed either here or LF forum so a bit of searching will find the info.

Tim Boehm · Oct 3, 2008

There's some lens data here:
http://home.globalcrossing.net/~zilch0/tools/LF6x17cm.xls

If you ever get a chance to get one of the Fujinon A series lenses, grab it. They're longer
than what you're looking for right now. I have the 240mm-A and it's fantastic. However,
they cost more than 200 bucks.

John Kasaian · Oct 3, 2008

When you mention architecture, what do you mean?
Interiors, or shooting a 15 story building from across the street will require a very wide lens. Shooting a barn, suburban house or bridge will likely not require something so wide. Also landscapes that are more intimate ( a tree, creek, or boulder say) will "pop" when shot close up with a wide lens while a "grand vista' will often only look far off and distant unless a longer lens is employed. My advise is to pick one lens and stick with it for awhile. Some older Symmars were double convertibles which will give you twice as much bang (two focal lengths instead of just one) for the buck.

One valid method of choosing a lens is to find a photographer whose work you admire and find out which lens that photographer uses (most lf 'togs will freely offer such info)

Getting started

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