If u could have one lens for 4x5

heespharm · Feb 26, 2015

So that's the question... Im sure it's come up but I can't find the thread...

I'm beginning to rethink this multi lens kit I have and just keep one lens for 4x5

So the question would be... Gun to your head, what would be the one lens you would keep and for what type of photography would you use it for

For me I'm thinking of only keeping the 150mm mc rodenstock I have for mainly landscape photography:.

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fotch · Feb 26, 2015

Depends on the camera (view, field, press, slr) and the subject. I would use what ever is mounted on a press camera because of the range finder. I have had press cameras set up with 127, 135,150mm. I don't currently have a field camera so I would not carry my view cameras to far, they usually have something like a 203mm lens on it. The SLR (4x5) usually have longer lens on them, 150+.

So I would probaly use my press camera normal lens and could put a 90mm on it for ground glass focusing or set it for infinity & shoot that way. For the most part, out of the studio, 1 lens would be my choice also.

wildbill · Feb 26, 2015

if i say 135mm are you going to sell your 150 and buy a 135mm?
if not, I'm not sure what you expect to learn from this thread.

BrianShaw · Feb 26, 2015

No matter which camera you are using or subject you are photographing... if push came to shove and I could only have 1 lens it would be a "normal (135 or 150)"... but I wouldn't be very happy at times. I terms of a multi-lens kit I have gotten by for decades with 3 - 135, 210, and 300. I acquired over the years a couple more (90 and 250SF) but they are basically shelf queens.

heespharm · Feb 26, 2015

wildbill said:
if i say 135mm are you going to sell your 150 and buy a 135mm?
if not, I'm not sure what you expect to learn from this thread.

Nope I'm gonna sell off the rest of my lenses and just keep one....

Also to see the amount of snarky answers I'll get from this forum of learning... ;-)

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jacaquarie · Feb 26, 2015

If it helps my go to for 4X5 is 210. I think of this as a "long but normal".
Then again the 210/370 gives you the extra option. Does that count as one lens?
If so you could add a 135/235 you could cover most any reasonable use with two.
We can argue quality later.

arthur

210 F5.6/370 F12 SYMMAR COPAL BT (45 MT) 4X5 LENS

135 F5.6/235 F12 SYMMAR COPAL BT (36 MT) LENS

winger · Feb 26, 2015

The one I've used the most is my 210mm. I also have a 135mm and a 105mm. The one I could lose and not mind is the 105mm (in fact, it's still in a matboard lensboard - I haven't even bothered to buy a real board for it). But I'd guess I use the 210mm 3 or 4 times as much as the 135mm.

Alan Gales · Feb 26, 2015

For landscape photography I would prefer a 210mm lens. Of course I live in a different area than you and I also see differently.

What lens do you use the most now? I'd keep that one.

heespharm · Feb 26, 2015

jacaquarie said:
If it helps my go to for 4X5 is 210. I think of this as a "long but normal".
Then again the 210/370 gives you the extra option. Does that count as one lens?
If so you could add a 135/235 you could cover most any reasonable use with two.
We can argue quality later.

arthur

210 F5.6/370 F12 SYMMAR COPAL BT (45 MT) 4X5 LENS

135 F5.6/235 F12 SYMMAR COPAL BT (36 MT) LENS

Hahah I don't think convertibles are cheating... I'm not too big on the super multicoated lens that are so sharp you can slice a razor in half with....

I mean I love uncle ansels work and they didn't have all that fancy stuff back then

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Dr Croubie · Feb 26, 2015

I've got what I want, my 90mm Fujinon SWD, with a Schneider Centre Filter IV, an 81B & 81EF, and a set of ND grads.
All I do on LF is landscapes, and maybe 95% of my shots are with this lens. Sharp corner to corner and I've never run out of movements, even on a monorail.

(I've got more lenses than that, like 65/135/150/180/270, but if I were forced to sell the lot, the 90mm would be the last to go).

removed account4 · Feb 26, 2015

a barrel I have called laverne...
I don't know her focal length but she is a rapid rectalinaer
I use on a graflex slr ... and I would her for everything I take photographs of ..
if it was for work related architectural or portrait work I would get rid of
everything but a 150 computer symetrigon .. " normal" is fine for me.

Trail Images · Feb 26, 2015

210 f 5.6 for landscape.

bdial · Feb 26, 2015

If I had to choose just one, it would be a 210.

Quite often, less (in the frame) is more (in the photograph).

Vaughn · Feb 26, 2015

150mm, Caltar IIN, for landscape work is the lens (and only lens) that I use with the 4x5 since 1986. Earlier, I used a 210mm, but I tend to photograph in tighter locations and the 150mm works well for me. Getting in tighter (rather than the grand landscape), how much or how little is in the image is more up to positioning and scene selection than focal length.

DREW WILEY · Feb 26, 2015

That's exactly what I did for two decades. Only a 210 for the 4x5. But since I gravitate toward longer, shallower perspectives, when that lens
started looking shabby, I next standardized on a 250. Now I use a number of lenses, but rarely carry more than three at a time. It really helps the learning curve to concentrate on seeing rather than on too many gear and technical issues at once.

RalphLambrecht · Feb 26, 2015

heespharm said:
So that's the question... Im sure it's come up but I can't find the thread...

I'm beginning to rethink this multi lens kit I have and just keep one lens for 4x5

So the question would be... Gun to your head, what would be the one lens you would keep and for what type of photography would you use it for

For me I'm thinking of only keeping the 150mm mc rodenstock I have for mainly landscape photography:.

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I got away with only the 210mm for several years but later ,I added 135 and eventually a 90mm lens.Now ,I'm looking for a 300 or 360

paul_c5x4 · Feb 26, 2015

heespharm said:
I'm beginning to rethink this multi lens kit I have and just keep one lens for 4x5

So the question would be... Gun to your head, what would be the one lens you would keep and for what type of photography would you use it for

Look at your notes and see which lens you use most - If I were to do the same, my choice, if I had to make one, would be a 135mm. But I'd still want a 90mm and 300mm for some of the stuff I shoot.

At the end of the day, it will be your decision, and if you think the 150mm suits your needs, go for it.

heespharm · Feb 26, 2015

paul_c5x4 said:
Look at your notes and see which lens you use most - If I were to do the same, my choice, if I had to make one, would be a 135mm. But I'd still want a 90mm and 300mm for some of the stuff I shoot.

At the end of the day, it will be your decision, and if you think the 150mm suits your needs, go for it.

Yeah I have a 90 fujinon a 150 rodenstock a 210 symmar s mc and a 300mm

I'm planning to just make a quick grab and go with my meridian 45b and a 150 and maybe a larger pack with my Toyo or nagaoka I just got... But really I only have time for the quick grab and go due to my more than full time job

BrianShaw · Feb 27, 2015

That's a fairly basic and effective suite of lenses. My "collection" is very similar and I wouldn't consider any one of them as extraneous... except, perhaps, the 90 which I never use. But I know your quest for a grab-and-go. Like you, time is limited so I have an Anniversary graphic with 135. While not as versatile as a more capable view camera and three lenses, it gets the job done with enough versatility to keep me in the LF game. But I wouldn't get rid of the other camera and lenses unless money really got tight. One day both of us will retire and have more time!

E. von Hoegh · Feb 27, 2015

heespharm said:
So that's the question... Im sure it's come up but I can't find the thread...

I'm beginning to rethink this multi lens kit I have and just keep one lens for 4x5

So the question would be... Gun to your head, what would be the one lens you would keep and for what type of photography would you use it for

For me I'm thinking of only keeping the 150mm mc rodenstock I have for mainly landscape photography:.

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That would be a problem. I'm not going to break up the factory cammed and matched three lens set for my 1959 Linhof, and I'm not getting rid of my set of Dagors either so there'd be a big mess to clean up.

heespharm · Feb 27, 2015

E. von Hoegh said:
That would be a problem. I'm not going to break up the factory cammed and matched three lens set for my 1959 Linhof, and I'm not getting rid of my set of Dagors either so there'd be a big mess to clean up.

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Jim Jones · Feb 27, 2015

If I had to revert to only one lens on 4x5, it would be an Ektar 203mm f/7.7: light, compact, sharp, and good for portraits and macro photography. Its image circle was big enough for 5x7, so it permits some rise, tilts, and swings on smaller formats. Of course some lenses that are 70 years newer have advantages, but good enough is good enough for me.

dpurdy · Feb 27, 2015

Another vote for the 210. I have a 150,135, 90SA that all are virtually unused for 25 years. 210 for landscape, table top, portrait and you can keep it when you move up to 5x7.
Dennis

Alan Gales · Feb 27, 2015

Owning one lens is like going into Basken Robbins and ordering Vanilla every time. It works well for some people.

https://www.baskinrobbins.com/content/baskinrobbins/en/products/icecream/flavors.html

heespharm · Feb 27, 2015

Alan Gales said:
Owning one lens is like going into Basken Robbins and ordering Vanilla every time. It works well for some people.

https://www.baskinrobbins.com/content/baskinrobbins/en/products/icecream/flavors.html

But vanilla is the best

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If u could have one lens for 4x5

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