I need a sharp normal lens for 16x20 landscapes...

Dr Croubie · Mar 30, 2016

Rick A said:
Umm... This is an old thread, and you aren't even close with format. Did you bother to read any of the posts before chiming in?

I remember the first time I read about a 7x17 camera, I thought it was just a typo for 6x17 and recommended a 90mm.

(unless the recommendation from the resurrector is to just get a damn-sharp small-format lens and enlarge it a la Barnack, but that takes all the fun out of ULF)

DREW WILEY · Mar 30, 2016

The only difference between 6x17 cm and 7x17 inch film is having the right tape rule. I recommend one made by Rubbermaid. Just stretch it to accommodate any difference between metric and English systems. It's appropriate for a fishing tackle box too.

TheFlyingCamera · Mar 30, 2016

One more potential option (although falling into the hens' teeth category) is the Zeiss 600mm f9 Apo-Germinar (one of which I have, but am not looking to sell). They're barrel mount lenses, and huge. They were originally intended for stat cameras. The solution for a lens like this is either spend the money and lose the stop of aperture to get it mounted in a Copal 3 (or spend even more and take even more time to get it put in an Ilex #5) or put it on a 9" lensboard and throw a Packard shutter behind it.

MattKing · Mar 30, 2016

I wonder if Dan even checks his 18 month old PKM-25 threads any more?

Don12x20 · Mar 30, 2016

I'd list the lenses by quality that I currently have at ~600mm that cover 12x20 and 16x20:
By far the outstanding lense is Schneider Fine Art xxl 550mm.
A close second is de Golden Busch 610mm
APO-germinar 600mm
followed by Fuji 600C (yet not an issue with softness in corners with contact printing)
Don

DREW WILEY · Mar 31, 2016

I've even seen a couple very rare Fuji 600 A's come up for sale in the last few years. Those should have PLENTY of coverage.

removed account4 · Mar 31, 2016

Don12x20 said:
A close second is de Golden Busch 610mm

these cameras and lenses seem to be mythic.
i seem to remember frank p had ( and sold ) one of the 8x10 cameras
( it was very giant )
and i've never actually read of someone having one of these lenses !

thanks don, you made my day !
john

DREW WILEY · Mar 31, 2016

Both a 600A and the far rarer 1200A recently sold to a lens collector in China for some obscene sum. I don't think he even uses them. One of those
Golden Busch lenses also sold to someone recently, but probably a user. Otherwise, Doug Busch made some relatively awful big clunker cameras.

removed account4 · Mar 31, 2016

DREW WILEY said:
Both a 600A and the far rarer 1200A recently sold to a lens collector in China for some obscene sum. I don't think he even uses them. One of those
Golden Busch lenses also sold to someone recently, but probably a user. Otherwise, Doug Busch made some relatively awful big clunker cameras.

and from what i remember doug busch sold special tripods that went with his enormous cameras

DREW WILEY · Mar 31, 2016

Of course, he contracted those lenses out, and didn't actually make them himself. As far as those rickety big cameras were concerned, I think any
decent cabinetmaker could have done a better job. Not exactly collectible, and even less appealing to current users who prefer something less than
an elephant for hauling their gear around.

Don12x20 · Apr 5, 2016

jnanian said:
these cameras and lenses seem to be mythic.
i seem to remember frank p had ( and sold ) one of the 8x10 cameras
( it was very giant )
and i've never actually read of someone having one of these lenses !

thanks don, you made my day !
john

Happy to make your day -- I actually own two of the four that I understand he actually built (there were 4 more that I am told never made it to production). - the 610 and the 420. Both are outstanding performers. I've had a filter holder added to the front of the 610, but the 420 has a huge curved element that precludes any filters (front or rear).
Best regards
Don

removed account4 · Apr 5, 2016

don,
you made my day again! 2 of the 4 ...
i'm wondering if you wear a red suit with white trim too !?
i can hear the bell jingle even though there is no clapper
john

Don12x20 · Apr 6, 2016

jnanian said:
don,
you made my day again! 2 of the 4 ...
i'm wondering if you wear a red suit with white trim too !?
i can hear the bell jingle even though there is no clapper
john

I dug the two de Golden Busch lenses out of the safe last night - the actual measurements are 482 and 610 (not 420-- that's a Dagor I have)
Don

removed account4 · Apr 6, 2016

Don12x20 said:
I dug the two de Golden Busch lenses out of the safe last night - the actual measurements are 482 and 610 (not 420-- that's a Dagor I have)
Don

that's ok I still believe ! 8D

Don12x20 · Apr 7, 2016

A pair of Schenider Fine Art XXL lenses (550 + 1100) apparently quickly sold on EBAY within the few days. Price was $25,000.00.
So these are now legendary lens prices.........

Ai Print · Apr 22, 2016

MattKing said:
I wonder if Dan even checks his 18 month old PKM-25 threads any more?

I gave up on this awhile ago.

I figure it is far easier to make a fine 16x20 print from a 4x5 negative that shows a refined vision, remarkable execution not to mention possibly a stunning location than lug a 16x20 around.

The noticeable lack of powerful photographs in 16x20 or larger pretty much attest to and confirm that notion.

Dr Croubie · Apr 22, 2016

Don12x20 said:
A pair of Schenider Fine Art XXL lenses (550 + 1100) apparently quickly sold on EBAY within the few days. Price was $25,000.00.
So these are now legendary lens prices.........

That is a complete brand/label/collector price.
For a quarter of that you could get something in the same size/speed custom designed and manufactured...

DREW WILEY · Apr 25, 2016

Don't believe those prices. Probably a fictitious straw purchase or analogous pricing stunt. I know an outfit that can make any production lens in the world look like a mere toy by comparison. But you better have a NASA, NSA, or DEA line of credit!

I need a sharp normal lens for 16x20 landscapes...

Dr Croubie

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