Lens for 8x10

If you are not set on a wide angle then 300mm lenses (11" to 13") in #3 shutters should all cover. They are not that expensive.

 

"Budget" means different things to different people. I think the best buy for people starting out in LF is the Commercial Ektar. In fact, they are good enough that you don't need to change even when you can afford it. You can get a 14 inch Commercial Ektar in an Ilex shutter in very good condition for about $500, sometimes much less if you don't mind minor imperfections like cleaning marks.

 

Ilex Paragon lenses often sell for less than the "brand" names of the era. They were mostly copies of Kodak's Ektar lenses, with less stringent quality controls applied during manufacturing so quality can vary a bit. Still, pretty good lenses. Caltar lenses may also be had for less -- they were made by different manufacturers and even when made by big names such as Rodenstock or Schneider often sell for less because they have the "Caltar" name on them.

 

You surely can't get any cheaper than the Russian 300mm lens fitted to the FKD cameras?! I'm pleased with mine, but as usual with Russian gear, I'm led to believe the quality can be variable.

 

I agree, the Commercial Ektars are very nice optics and are a bargain in the 8x10 class. I've seen the 360mm (14inch) sell for as low as $350 on Ebay. Most will be in the $450 -550 range, the shutter has a lot to do with the price as well. The Universal Synchro is the preferred shutter.

 

John, yes, you are quite right. They don't usually come in Ilex's, if at all. Brain fart on my part.

 

You should probably get a different definition of budget. When I moved to 8x10 I realized my definition of budget would have to change or I would have to give up the format. I changed my definition of budget based on a newly discovered idea of priority, and patience(sp). In other words: what was I going to be shooting, what did I need to shoot it, and finally what was available. Then I saved my money until I could afford what I needed. Hard to save money though. Too many things to buy.

 

For portraits I enjoyed using Wollensak Velostigmat 12" (not the expensive version) for a couple of years but once I purchased a Kodak Commercial Ektar 14" I really fell in love.

For landscapes I haven't hit on any revelation like that Ektar, but I'm trying.

 

I got a Fujinon 300 f5.6 from a fellow Ape Hugger for a very reasonable price. It's in a #3 shutter and from the few sheets I've done so far, works great. Good lenses can be had for a good price but like anything else it takes patience and 'right place/right time'.

 

There are quite a lot of symmars available and they are not very expensive either.
If you choose the older 5.6 versions you get two focal lengths for the price of one.
The 240, 300 and 360 cover 8x10, and they are easy to find.
If you need a wide angle it is not impossible to find a angulon 165/8 (the angulon 210 is usually expensive).

If you need anything small I can recommend Nikon 300/9

 

240 G-Claron in the barrel. Nice wide field and sharp corner to corner.

 

If I were only going to have one lens for 8x10. I would start with one of the big modern plasmats, suchas the Fuji 300mm W F/5.6 or the Nikon 300mm W F/5.6 or any of the Schneider/Rodenstocks. You get the brightest lens possible, with generally alot of movements. The smaller Fuji 300C or the Nikon 300M are great lenses, but they are a stop or more dimmer which can make focusing difficult. For learning your way around 8x10 the biggest brightest lens is not a bad way to do things. You can always sell it later and get one of the smaller lenses.

Hope it helps.

Gary