Large format lenses on a budget in the UK?

robgunby · May 23, 2021

Hello

I have been a roll film photographer my whole life, but have only recently ventured into large format after inheriting a very old wooden quarter plate camera (a Lancaster 1902 BB Instantograph in remarkably good condition) that can easily be made to take 5x4". The camera came with a shutterless barrel lens, a 250mm f/10. It has been fun playing with it but I really need something with a shutter as I would like to use the camera for portraits.

I am a firm believer in getting the best glass you can possibly afford, but having just taken on a large darkroom project money is very tight.

I would be grateful for any recommendations of what lenses to be on the lookout for in order to get a bargain. Ideally around a 150mm focal length, but that is not essential. I am based in the UK - it would be good if anyone has information on British brands, as many of the cheaper lenses I have seen on ebay have been US made and therefore postage costs are an issue.

Many thanks

Ian Grant · May 23, 2021

Buying from the US adds around 33% in terms of Import Duty and VAT plus the collection fee on top of an item and shipping when importing into the UK. There aren't many post WWII ry goodBritish lenses in shutters, the Wray Lustar is not ve. You might get a Schneider 150mm f4.5 Xenar for less than £100 they were sold with MPPs etc here, also the 150mm f5.6 Symmar.

Ian

robgunby · May 23, 2021

Thank you Ian, I don't mind one that's not stellar quality if it gets me up and running. I can always sell it on. I will look out for the Wray Lustar.

As you say, importing lenses can get very expensive, hence why I'm looking to avoid it.

Tom Kershaw · May 23, 2021

I have imported a few larger items from the USA in the past without a problem, however this was when pound sterling was much stronger than it is at the moment in 2021.

Tom

bmw760 · May 23, 2021

you might want to check out ffordes

robgunby · May 23, 2021

bmw760 said:
you might want to check out ffordes

I regularly check ffordes (along with a few others), but nothing super cheap has come up of late

Ian Grant · May 23, 2021

ffordes are expensive, they weren't though before moving to the Scottish Highlands.

When it comes to imports from the US or Japan there was a time when small parcels came in without checks and I bought many lensesetc from the US without Import Duty and VAT but that has chnaged and now every parcel is checked.

Ian

Vaidotas · May 23, 2021

There are attractive deals on ebay from brittish sellers time by time and supply was consistent before brexit. Things get worse now, but still worth to have patience and look.
Wray Supar, Lustrar, Ross Anastigmat, Homocentric f/6.3, convertible, TTH series II, there is few examples of the lens of 6 inch focal lenght you can get within a budget range of 60 - 80 pounds

film_man · May 24, 2021

How low is a low budget? You can easily get a good lens from ebay Japan for less than £200 including taxes and handling. My Nikkor 180/5.6 W came with a Copal 0 shutter, was like mint and cost me under £250 with import tax etc. Apart from ffordes have a look at West Yorkshire cameras, they are generally well priced but brexit and all that seems to be pushing prices up a bit now that ebay Europe is not much of an option for people.

abruzzi · May 24, 2021

You can also economize by looking for less in-demand lenses. I paid $300 for my older multicoated Super Angulon 90/5.6, but a few months later I paid $80 for an immaculate single coated Fujinon 105/8. I actually use the Fuji more than the SA. Both were bought from Japanese sellers approximately a year ago. If you focus on a single high-demand lens, like the Nikkor 90/8, then yeah you won't find any screaming deals on eBay, but looking in the same neighborhood might find some less in demand lenses--many of which are excellent.

GLS · May 24, 2021

Ian Grant said:
ffordes are expensive, they weren't though before moving to the Scottish Highlands.

I don't know, I find their prices actually more reasonable than most. If you want to see insane pricing check MrCAD.

robgunby · May 28, 2021

abruzzi said:
You can also economize by looking for less in-demand lenses.

That's precisely what I'm after - but I don't know what lenses to search for

robgunby · May 28, 2021

film_man said:
How low is a low budget? You can easily get a good lens from ebay Japan for less than £200 including taxes and handling. My Nikkor 180/5.6 W came with a Copal 0 shutter, was like mint and cost me under £250 with import tax etc. Apart from ffordes have a look at West Yorkshire cameras, they are generally well priced but brexit and all that seems to be pushing prices up a bit now that ebay Europe is not much of an option for people.

I'm a big fan of both Ffordes and WYC. WYC are indeed the cheaper option as a rule of thumb - plus I'm only an hour away if I want to go check out their stuff. I've been watching all the usual suspect shops, to name a few others Dale, Harrison's, LCE, Real Camera etc, the only lenses that have come into a price bracket I can afford right now (ideally under £100-150) have been shutterless barrel lenses, or had scratches / fungus etc.

I'm not as much of a fan of buying camera gear off ebay - lots of bargains to be found, but it can sometimes be fraught with difficulties if you get something not quite working. Especially if it has come from abroad. I'm not dead set against it, just wary, especially when it comes to lenses.

film_man · May 28, 2021

robgunby said:
I'm a big fan of both Ffordes and WYC. WYC are indeed the cheaper option as a rule of thumb - plus I'm only an hour away if I want to go check out their stuff. I've been watching all the usual suspect shops, to name a few others Dale, Harrison's, LCE, Real Camera etc, the only lenses that have come into a price bracket I can afford right now (ideally under £100-150) have been shutterless barrel lenses, or had scratches / fungus etc.

I'm not as much of a fan of buying camera gear off ebay - lots of bargains to be found, but it can sometimes be fraught with difficulties if you get something not quite working. Especially if it has come from abroad. I'm not dead set against it, just wary, especially when it comes to lenses.

Ha, if I lived within driving distance of WYC I'd be living on the street

GLS · May 28, 2021

robgunby said:
WYC

By 'eck, thanks for reminding me. Hadn't checked their site in a while

TPL_London · May 29, 2021

I second the 'Japan' route: I there are some very reasonable bargains if you are patient I paid about £180 for my 150mm f5.6 Fujinon, and even less for my 250mm f5.6 Fujinon SF monster. I've bought Canon rangefinder lenses and my Mamiya RB67 gear from the land of the rising sun, and it's all been a good experience so far.

Dan Fromm · May 29, 2021

Please pardon and correct my ignorance. What is WYC?

GLS · May 29, 2021

Dan Fromm said:
Please pardon and correct my ignorance. What is WYC?

West Yorkshire Cameras. They have a website, but the actual shop is in Leeds.

Dan Fromm · May 29, 2021

GLS said:
West Yorkshire Cameras. They have a website, but the actual shop is in Leeds.

Thanks.

Large format lenses on a budget in the UK?

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