Ideal lens sets for 11x14??

[PHOTOTONE]

I was wondering what those of you that have 11x14 cameras would consider an ideal set of focal lengths and brands of lenses (among those commonly available in good used condition) to have for this format? I would prefer your choices, excluding the highest cost esoteric choices.

 

[removed account4]

hi phototone

i use a wollensak 13-20-25 triple convertible (velostigmat) on my 11x14 camera. it is in a betax shutter and purchased through igor ...

all focal lengths cover without a problem.

i don't take my camera out of my studio ... so i don't know if the FL i use would be suitable for you.

good luck!
john

 

[John Z.]

My current favorites are:

Wide angles:

240mm Computar
10 3/4 inch (275mm) Dagor
300mm Wollensak wide angle, or 300mm Dagor

These 3 lenses for wider angles are nice because they are compact and light, and at least in case of the Dagors reelatively inexpensive and available.

For a normal lens the Nikkor 450mm lens is hard to beat, and for a 600mm lens the Fujinon C; both of these are compact and relatively lightweight too.

For longer focal lengths there are fewer options, but there are some process lenses and Red Dot Artars.

 

[Ole]

I don't shoot 11x14", but I do (rarely) use 12x16"...

Some of the lenses I've found usable are:

210mm f:6.8 Angulon
355mm f:9 G-Claron
500mm f:6.3 Krauss/Zeiss Tessar
and a 840mm f:7.7 Suter Aplanat...

 

[John Z.]

Also some of the Protar VII cells can be used too; I have found some Zeiss, B&L, and Ross cells in 480, 590, and 690mm focal lengths that are nice, and I am just experimenting with.
Edward Weston used a 480mm protar cell (albeit on an 8x10), and wrote a passage in one of his books where he talked about liking the image quality of the lens, 'even though some of the Tessar lenses of the day were sharper'; interesting to note that sharpness was not the ultimate factor in choosing a lens.

One final note is that I have found a Nikkor T 800mm telephoto lens which does in fact cover 11x14, although the published specs would indicate the lens does not cover much beyond 8x10. I read one other post where another photographer agreed with the fact that 11x14 coverage is possible.

 

[User Removed]

14" Gold Dot Dagor
450mm Nikkor-M
24" Red Dot Artar
30" Red Dot Artar
35" Red Dot Artar

 

[JG Motamedi]

Here are the lenses I use most frequently on 11x14:

Standard Lenses:
210mm Computar
355mm G-Claron
450mm Nikkor-M

Of the above lenses, I can really only recommend the Nikkor-M, which is a great lens. I don't much care for the 355mm G-Claron, although it covers with lots of movements. The Computar is a nice lens, but is too tight for 11x14. A 240 Computar would be better. It does make a nice macro.

Portrait Lenses:
16" f3.5 Wollensak Varium
19" f6 Dallmeyer 5D
22" f4 Dallmeyer 5A

Any of these portrait lenses are great, if you can find them.

 

[Donsta]

I use a Cooke XVa (gives you a 311, 468 and a 646) combined with a 240mm Computar - 4 great focal lenghs on 11x14. I have also used the following: 300 Fujinon A (a bit too tight on 11x14), 305 G Claron (excellent lens with lots of coverage), 355mm G Claron (very sharp with loads of coverage), 360 Fujinon A (small and light and very sharp), 450mm Fuji C (great tiny lens with oodles of coverage), 600 Fuji c (awesome).

 

[sanking]

Here are the lenses I use most frequently on 11x14:

Standard Lenses:
210mm Computar
355mm G-Claron
450mm Nikkor-M

Of the above lenses, I can really only recommend the Nikkor-M, which is a great lens. I don't much care for the 355mm G-Claron, although it covers with lots of movements. The Computar is a nice lens, but is too tight for 11x14. A 240 Computar would be better. It does make a nice macro.

Just curious why you don't care for the 355 G-Claron? It will cover 11X14 with lots of movements and is a relatively small lens.

Sandy

 

[Jeremy]

I use:

19" RR triple convertible
19" red dot artar (about to disappear to another user, though)
14.5" verito
18" verito (thank you, Jason!!!)

awaiting a dallmeyer 3a

 

[RobertP]

25" Dallmeyer Rapid Rectilinear... Dallmeyer 3a (although it only covers at portrait distance on 11x14)... 22" Jamin- Darlot cone centralisateur...sweet!... 17x20 Versar... 14.5" Verito ... 16.5" Dagor (older, uncoated, American model)

 

[JG Motamedi]

...Just curious why you don't care for the 355 G-Claron?...

Sandy,

The 355/9 G-Claron does indeed cover with more movements than I need, and is also a sharper lens than necessary for my uses. It also has good local contrast. The weak point of the G-Claron however (IMO, of course) is its bokeh, which I find very harsh, unrefined, and distracting. This would not be a problem for most ULF users, however I make the vast majority of my images open wide. Consquently bokeh becomes a fairly major consideration for me.

jason

 

[Mike A]

I use a Nikon 450, a 305 Computar and a 305 Claron. The Claron gets little use now that I have the computar. the only focal length I feel I need is a 600mm, I think a Fuji would do nicely.

Mike