Looking for a lens recommendation for 5x7, long normal or short tele

[DREW WILEY]

For the expressed portrait purpose in conjunction with 5x7 format, something 300mm would be more appropriate. 203mm is just too short and wide-normal, and 300 miles a bit too long!

 

[Nokton48]

I've seen in person four by five foot canvas color portraits done 5x7 with 300mm Ektar that blew me away, by Philip Charis. I recently acquired a mint barrel model for my 5x7 Norma at a good price. I also have the 300mm F4.5 barrel chrome Xenar which is similar in "look" and wonderful for portraits.

Philip Charis:
https://www.pinterest.com/kimjew/charis-philip/

300mm F4.5 Xenar Norma by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[John Earley]

For portraiture on 5x7 I find the 250 to 300mm length in modern glass works just fine. If I want the vintage look I have a 270/f7.2 Shulz&Billerbeck Euryplan, 280/f11 (11in) Goerz APO Artar, 360/ f5.5 R Knoll Soft Focus lens, a 356/f6 Wollensak Veritar 14" SF lens and a 270/f7.7 J. Laack Normal Polynar, all used with a Packard shutter. You can pick up lenses like these in-barrel fairly cheap. They each give a different look for portraits. Remember that you need additional bellows extension for close focus with longer lenses.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Another tessar 300 prized by portrait pros, and relatively modern, is the 300/5.6 Fujinon L. Unduly heavy for ideal field use, however. It's in a no. 3 Copal S shutter - the older multi-bladed one, another desirable feature.

 

[GKC]

215mm Ilex works for me. Good coverage and won't break the bank

 

[Vaughn]

Just saw an ad for an older 400mm Fuji Tele that covers 5x7. Might be fun to own...but I would not use it enough. to make it worthwhile.

 

[5x7shooter]

Just saw an ad for an older 400mm Fuji Tele that covers 5x7. Might be fun to own...but I would not use it enough. to make it worthwhile.

The 400mm Fujinon T is actually a fairly sharp affordable lens on 5x7, better than I expected. I recently re-tested mine. That said, I don't carry my 400T very much. Even a 14" RD Artar in Copal 3 is easier to carry and use, and the RDA can be used with a Rittreck 5x7 field camera with a bit of care ( and removal of the front stops on the rails ! ).