Lenses Longer than 600mm/24" on 7x17

[ReallyBigCameras]

I'm considering moving up to 7x17 and have a question about lenses longer than 600mm/24" on this format. This is not the typical question about what lenses are available (I am familiar with the options) and how much they cover. It is a question about actual usage. Specifically, for all you 7x17 shooters, do you use a lens longer than 600mm/24" on this format. And if so, how often?

The reason I ask, is maximum bellows draw is one of the main considerations when purchasing a 7x17 camera. For me personally, camera weight is also an issue. I realize no 7x17 is going to be ultralight, but I'm not eager to carry more weight than necessary unless I really need it. I already own a 600mm Fujinon C, which is longer than normal on 7x17. If that ends up as my longest lens for 7x17, I can get by with a lightweight camera with a fairly short bellows. For anything longer, I start to get into heavier, bulkier, more expensive cameras and bigger and bulkier lenses that need a sturdy front standard to support them at full extension.

I currently shoot quite a bit of 4x10 and my lens kit consists of 110mm, 150mm, 210mm, 300mm and 450mm. The 150mm and 210mm are my most used focal lengths, followed by the 110mm and 300mm. The 450mm is my least used lens on 4x10, but I do use it on occasion, and I always carry it in my pack as it's just so darn small and light (it's a 450mm Fujinon C, which I also plan to use on 7x17).

I already have lenses in the 240mm, 355mm, 450mm and 600mm focal lengths that cover 7x17. This seems like a pretty good assortment of focal lengths. It doesn't quite cover the extremes at the wide and long ends that my 4x10 kit does, but it does covers the range from wide to moderately long quite well. Doing the math, the 600mm Fuji on 7x17 would be equal to about a 355mm lens on 4x10 and it would take a lens in the 750mm/30" range on 7x17 to equate to the 450mm I use as my longest lens on 4x10.

My gut instinct tells me I can probably get by without anything longer than the 600mm Fuji on 7x17, but I'd like to hear from users with more experience on this format. Buying a 7x17 camera is a spendy proposition and I don't want to buy one only to find out later the bellows are too short to meet my needs. On the other hand, I also don't wish to spend more money on a heavier camera if I'll never use the added bellows extension.

So, all you 7x17 shooters. Do you use lenses longer than 600mm/24"? How often (compared to shorter lenses)? What is the max. bellows extension of your camera? Do you ever wish you'd bought a camera with a longer bellows, or are you happy with what you've got? If you were shopping for your dream 7x17 camera, what is the absolute shortest maximum extension you'd consider mandatory on this format?

Thanks,
Kerry

 

[Dave Wooten]

Kerry,

I have just actually started using the 7 x 17 (after dry shooting for about nine months) I use the 355 g claron and 450 fugi C....I have the wants for the 600 fugi....but probably dont need it....my original bellows is pretty stretched at 24 inches...the red one on the Wisner...i have a lighter black bellows that gives a bit more both on the long end and on the short end and also lightens the load a bit....to me the Wisner 7 x 17 does not seem all that heavy...as light at my Wista 8 x 10 (also 24 inch bellows) just got a 240 computar that I am anxious to try out....

there are times here in the wide expanse of the wild west that I wish I had the 600 for sure (have 760 Nikkor but havent mounted it up yet) also I like shooting buildings and street scenes...so for those compositions across the street....at times i do for a little more lens for the sake of the composition that I think I saw....but I dont need it...

 

[Dave Wooten]

also,

in shooting windows and doors and the backs of "stuff" and old architecture I have found that I use the movements on the camera much more that I thought I would, and appreciate the added luxure of the Tech abilities.....for landscape at infinity, the front rise gets me over the fence.....

now I have to work on my printing....it is a wonderful struggle.

 

[David]

If it's close enough to count, I use an 8x20 and put the long Nikkor 760 on it about 20% of the time. It is particularly nice when shooting interior architecture on something like a cathedral where you'd run out of image circle on a smaller lens if you were closer to your photographic object. It gets used also on some landscapes to isolate broad areas. So while it doesn't get used that often, having it available is very appreciated. Maybe like a good passing gear in a car, nice to have when you need it. Good luck.

 

[sanking]

Kerry,

I have a 30" Red Dot Artar but don't use it very much in this part (southeast USA) of the world. When I travel in the west, with large vistas, I tend to use it a lot more, both with 7X17 and 12X20. I also owned a 42" Red Dot Artar in a Compound #5 but it was really too heavy for my cameras (7X17 and 12X20 Canhams) and I rarely took it out of the case it so I sold it to a friend who hopefully will make better use of it.

By and large most ULF users tend to prefer the aesthetics of wide angles. This has many practical advantages advantages as well since depth of field is such a difficult issue with lenger lenses. The longest lens that Dick Arentz uses on his 12X20 F&S is a 450mm Nikkor.


Sandy

I'm considering moving up to 7x17 and have a question about lenses longer than 600mm/24" on this format. This is not the typical question about what lenses are available (I am familiar with the options) and how much they cover. It is a question about actual usage. Specifically, for all you 7x17 shooters, do you use a lens longer than 600mm/24" on this format. And if so, how often?

Thanks,
Kerry

 

[jimgalli]

I'm wishing I had the bellows to even use a 19" on my original Folmer 717. 450 is about max so of course I don't have any good answers except most of the older 717's weren't designed with long in mind and as such don't have extensions and bellows for much.

 

[ReallyBigCameras]

Thanks for all the responses. Keep 'em coming. I know we have more 7x17 shooters on this forum.

Although I'm leaning towards the 600mm Fuji as my longest lens on 7x17, I still might like to have a little more bellows length in case I ever want to go longer in the future. Given the high cost and long lead times for new 7x17 cameras, I'm also considering building my own - in which case, I can choose exactly what bellows length I want.

Dave's comments about about the movements on his Wisner made me think of more questions, but as they don't pertain to lenses, I'll start another thread with a new subject line.

Kerry

 

[Reinhold]

Try a Nikor Tele...

I use a Nikor 1200T.ED on my 8x20 after reading this astounding bit of information:

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=003G08

That ought to help solve your bellows "shortcoming"...

Reinhold