Just how big is a fast 90mm for my 4x5 Tachihara?

mattk · Mar 11, 2007

Looking at my options for a wide angle lens of my Tachihara 4x5 and I am curious about just how large some of the 5.6 lenses are. Will they inhibit use of the camera due to there size? I currently have a Symmar 135 that seems rather smallish but I do not have frame of reference as I am new to this. I would rather spend the money for the fast lens now than get a f/8 and wish is was brighter. Looking for good coverage and excellent optics for under a grand. 800 to 600 would be ideal.

Matt

coriana6jp · Mar 12, 2007

It depends upon your shooting style, I think. If you are only shooting outside then an f/8 lens will work fine, if you are doing indoor or shooting in other dimly lit areas then go for the f/5.6.

The brightest modern 90mm is the Nikon 90mm F/4.5 or the Rodenstock Grand Dragon f/4.5. Both are fairly big lenses, but they are brightest around. Both would work well only the Tachihara, personally I prefer the Fujinon 90mm SWD F/5.6 its slightly smaller than the other two and nearly as bright. I would avoid the Schneider 90mm Super Angulon XL, due to its huge size. The back element might not fit through the opening on the Tachihara. Its a great lens, with a huge image circle, but its very expensive and big.

Hope it helps

Gary

colrehogan · Mar 12, 2007

I use a Nikon 90 mm f/4.5 with my Toyo 45 AII. The thread size for the front is 82 mm.

DrPablo · Mar 12, 2007

The Schneider 90 f/5.6 Super Angulon XL is an amazing lens. Its image circle is so large that it's impossible for me to run out of movements on my monorail camera -- so you'd certainly never have a problem on a Tachihara.

On the other hand, it's a beast. The front element is 95mm. I needed to spend quite a bit of money to get a filter system that could accomodate that size.

grahamp · Mar 12, 2007

I use a 90mm Caltar HR (f5.6) on my Wista, which should be comparable. The front element is 77mm, and the rear somewhat less. The bellows seem to be the limit on rise with this camera, which does not have a bag option.

I was running out of rise on the crane gantry (next to last image) at Dead Link Removed You can get some idea of the distance and height from the parking bay lines and the brick courses. My back was up against a fence in this case. Probably 15mm of rise or thereabouts.

coriana6jp · Mar 12, 2007

DrPablo said:
The Schneider 90 f/5.6 Super Angulon XL is an amazing lens. Its image circle is so large that it's impossible for me to run out of movements on my monorail camera -- so you'd certainly never have a problem on a Tachihara.

On the other hand, it's a beast. The front element is 95mm. I needed to spend quite a bit of money to get a filter system that could accomodate that size.

I agree its a great lens, but its huge. A friend of mine had one and couldnt get the massive rear element through the opening on the camera. He had to unscrew it and reattach it after it was mounted by removing the back from the camera. For a Tachihara, I think the rear element is to large, which is why I recommended he avoid it.

Hope it helps.

Gary

snaggs · Mar 15, 2007

Are the Super Angulons the only LF wide angles which use Aspherics? Are they the SOA for 4x5?

m_liddell · Mar 15, 2007

I looking at getting a nikon 90mm f/4.5 when I move to LF from my RB67. People say this lens is huge and heavy but the 90mm normal lens for the RB is 900g (nikon is 600g) so I'm sure it can't be that bad!

Ole · Mar 15, 2007

Being the cheapskate that I am, I use two 90mm lenses: One 90/8 Super Angulon, and a 90/6.8 Angulon for when I need light more than coverage. Same with 120mm for 5x7" - a 121/8 SA and a 120/6.8 Angulon. The total cost is less than one new fast & wide 90mm lens...

MarkS · Mar 15, 2007

I used a Tachihara 4x5 for ten years. My first 90mm was a '60s Schneider f/8 Super-Angulon (chrome). I upgraded to a Nikkor-SW 90/8, a lens superior in contrast, coverage, and flare control; I still use that lens today. They both fit perfectly on the little Tachi, and there was no problem focusing. The faster lenses are just overkill on such a small, light camera.

Nick Zentena · Mar 15, 2007

m_liddell said:
I looking at getting a nikon 90mm f/4.5 when I move to LF from my RB67. People say this lens is huge and heavy but the 90mm normal lens for the RB is 900g (nikon is 600g) so I'm sure it can't be that bad!

You say that now Then you add a camera that on the light end weighs more then a RB body. A tripod. A handful of holders. A darkcloth. Who knew a piece of cloth could weigh so much? A light meter. Then you figure you really want to carry more then one lens. Of course all this stuff needs something to hold it. You stick the whole thing on the scale and you Then you figure out that outdoors F/8 is just fine and you go :rolleyes:

jp80874 · Mar 15, 2007

Matt,

Assuming you have MS Excel, here is a spread sheet from the LF Forum comparing lens specs for 4x5 including the ones mentioned here. http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenses/LF4x5in.html

Let me put in another vote for the Rodenstock Grand Dagon f4.5

Another approach is to look for an enhanced gg that will brighten 1/2 to a full stop. A lot has been written here and on the LF Forum about these. Put the two together and you will need dark glasses. I like the Bosscreen on my Linhof Technikardan 45

John Powers

m_liddell · Mar 15, 2007

Nick Zentena said:
You say that now Then you add a camera that on the light end weighs more then a RB body. A tripod. A handful of holders. A darkcloth. Who knew a piece of cloth could weigh so much? A light meter. Then you figure you really want to carry more then one lens. Of course all this stuff needs something to hold it. You stick the whole thing on the scale and you Then you figure out that outdoors F/8 is just fine and you go :rolleyes:

Yeah I'm still undecided . I'm cautious since in low light my even my RB can get hard to focus with f/3.8 and f/4.5 lenses. I also have reservations about performance of an f/8 lens close to wide open since I will often be using roll film.

I already carry a gitzo 1325, pentax spotmeter, backs and big filters for with the RB I'm hopeful that moving to the Ebony RSW45 (1.5kg) will be the same weight. Other lf lenses are much lighter than RB lenses so I may even come out ahead on weight.

82mm filters are hellishly expensive though!

Just how big is a fast 90mm for my 4x5 Tachihara?

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