Good, cheap, "standard" 4X5 lens

John Kasaian · Dec 17, 2007

You can find 127 ysarons in pronitor #1 shutters on ebay pretty cheap. If you want to upgrade later on, many Schneider G Claron barrels will fit that same shutter.
203mm Ektars and Optars are out there at excellent prices and are worth looking at.
Take a look at Ilex and Wollensaks. which aren't generally as "in demand " as Schnieders and Nikors and Rodenstocks for bargain prices

mjs · Dec 17, 2007

The single-coated Fuji 150mm f/6.3 (usually in a Seiko shutter) usually sells for less than $100 and is an excellent, tiny little lens.

Nick Zentena · Dec 17, 2007

k_jupiter said:
Interesting comment. I've had my 150/6.3 Fuji-W for 22 years now, sometimes getting lots of use over a year, sometimes sitting for a couple years. The Seiko shutter does just fine thank you.

It's a fine lens, I don't think you will find one for under 150.00 but I could be wrong. Very small,very light. I use it both on a 4x5 Speed Graphic and a 5x7 B&J field camera, mostly for 4x5. And no, it and the Seiko shutter are not for sale.

Ever.

tim in san jose

I meant the F/5.6. I'm fairly sure I got mine for less then $150 from KEH. They tend to get grabbed pretty quickly with the 80 degrees of coverage the F/5.6 has.

ricksplace · Dec 17, 2007

If you want cheap and coated, try the 127/4.7 Ektar, the tominons (127 or 135) or the 7.7/203 Ektar. I own all of these lenses and they are all good lenses. I agree with Jnanian, the Tominon is a highly underrated lens. I use my 135/4.5 Tominon in a Polaroid Press shutter on my Century Graphic (2X3) and my Pre-Anny Speed (4X5) with excellent results. Good thing I didn't read what some of the gurus are writing about the Tominons or 127 Ektars.
You can probably find a 135/4.5 Tominon in a Polaroid Press Shutter for under $50 on ebay. Buy mid-week when the prices are lower than the weekends.

mexipike · Dec 17, 2007

I have a fairly old Calumet that someone just gave me. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Dan Fromm · Dec 17, 2007

ricksplace said:
If you want cheap and coated, try the 127/4.7 Ektar, the tominons (127 or 135) or the 7.7/203 Ektar. I own all of these lenses and they are all good lenses. I agree with Jnanian, the Tominon is a highly underrated lens. I use my 135/4.5 Tominon in a Polaroid Press shutter on my Century Graphic (2X3) and my Pre-Anny Speed (4X5) with excellent results. Good thing I didn't read what some of the gurus are writing about the Tominons or 127 Ektars.
You can probably find a 135/4.5 Tominon in a Polaroid Press Shutter for under $50 on ebay. Buy mid-week when the prices are lower than the weekends.

That's funny, I've tried three different 135/4.5 Tominons and they were all mediocre macro lenses and poor at distance.

John Kasaian · Dec 18, 2007

mexipike said:
I have a fairly old Calumet that someone just gave me. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Nothin' wrong with Calumet Caltars!

HerrBremerhaven · Jan 2, 2008

Another recommendation for Caltar lenses, many of which are Rodenstock, though a few are Schneider sourced. Then there is the Schneider Xenar 135mm, probably most commonly found with a Compur shutter; not great coverage for movements, but you can pick up a good used example near $US 100. Other than those you could search for a Rodenstock Geronar, which is a simple and somewhat light design that produces nice results.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography

Good, cheap, "standard" 4X5 lens

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