Looking for a small wide angle in 4x5

[DREW WILEY]

The 125/5.6 Fujinon is as short as I'm willing to go in a non-wide-angle design. A 105 of the same would seem just way too cramped in terms of movements. The advantage of basic lenses like these is that you don't get the stretched look toward the corners that you do with true wide-angle designs. These 125's came in several minor variations. Mine takes convenient 52mm filters. The problem with the latest version, the CMW, if that they standardized on 67mm filters for most of that whole series, including the 125, so you end up with a big funnel-like front end which spoils its optimal portability.

For dramatically more money you could have a Super-Symmar 110, but it won't be as small.

 

[Kilgallb]

Thank you all for the suggestions I think the Fujinon CWM may do and the price doesn't look that bad. I'll have a look at the Fujinon 125 too, though that is probably getting a bit too close to my 180.

I just bought a Fujinon 150mm (coated) for $200.00. It is razor sharp and great coverage on 4x5. The SEIKO shutter was hard to get used too, but I manage.

 

[Dan Fromm]

I just bought a Fujinon 150mm (coated) for $200.00. It is razor sharp and great coverage on 4x5. The SEIKO shutter was hard to get used too, but I manage.

That's great. But and however it is a normal lens for 4x5, not wide angle.

 

[removedacct1]

Have you considered the 100mm Kodak Wide Field Ektar? I love mine.

 

[film_man]

Have you considered the 100mm Kodak Wide Field Ektar? I love mine.

Pricey, at least compared to the Fujinons!

 

[John Wiegerink]

Pricey, at least compared to the Fujinons!

Yes, but I really love my 100mm WF Ektar and they are also very small. I have the 203mm Ektar too and it's perfect on my older Toyo. Those old Kodak professional type lenses are nothing to sneeze at.

 

[abruzzi]

Yes, but I really love my 100mm WF Ektar and they are also very small. I have the 203mm Ektar too and it's perfect on my older Toyo. Those old Kodak professional type lenses are nothing to sneeze at.

Both great and small lenses. The WFE does occasionally show up for under $200, as did mine ~6 months ago. The 203mm is frequently very cheap, but one small recommendation on them is to find one in a Compur shutter instead of the Supermatic shutter. That just makes it easier to transplant to a newer shutter.

 

[esearing]

I find the 90mm rarely matches what I see/envision. So I tend to use a 65mm with some slight cropping or use a 135mm most of the time. I like my 210 better than my 180 these days too.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Both great and small lenses. The WFE does occasionally show up for under $200, as did mine ~6 months ago. The 203mm is frequently very cheap, but one small recommendation on them is to find one in a Compur shutter instead of the Supermatic shutter. That just makes it easier to transplant to a newer shutter.

I have always been puzzled by this Compur vs Supermatic thing. I realize that a compur is like a finally made and tuned Swiss watch and the Supermatic is more like a Mack truck stuck in a watch. Both will keep purrfect (mis-spelling intended) time. My experience with Supermatic shutters is that they are very reliable, last near forever, seem to be more forgiving when it comes to dirt and grime and at least for me, are easier to work on. The Supermatic shutters downside is parts, but there are so many still out there to cannibalize that parts really aren't a problem. I'll happily keep my Ektars in there original shutters. Just my opinion of course. JohnW

 

[John Wiegerink]

I find the 90mm rarely matches what I see/envision. So I tend to use a 65mm with some slight cropping or use a 135mm most of the time. I like my 210 better than my 180 these days too.

I think for me that I might end up going with my tiny 75mm f8 Super-Angulon, my tiny Fujinon 135mm or 150mm and get the 240mm f9A Fujinon for a travel kit. You won't get much smaller or lighter than that and still have that focal range covered. Just me of course. JohnW

 

[abruzzi]

I have always been puzzled by this Compur vs Supermatic thing. I realize that a compur is like a finally made and tuned Swiss watch and the Supermatic is more like a Mack truck stuck in a watch. Both will keep purrfect (mis-spelling intended) time. My experience with Supermatic shutters is that they are very reliable, last near forever, seem to be more forgiving when it comes to dirt and grime and at least for me, are easier to work on. The Supermatic shutters downside is parts, but there are so many still out there to cannibalize that parts really aren't a problem. I'll happily keep my Ektars in there original shutters. Just my opinion of course. JohnW

the problem for me is I don’t know interchangability on supermatics. I know I can pull the elements off a Compur #1 and transplant them to any Compur or Copal #1 I happen to have.

 

[John Wiegerink]

the problem for me is I don’t know interchangability on supermatics. I know I can pull the elements off a Compur #1 and transplant them to any Compur or Copal #1 I happen to have.

That’s true, but I don’t plan on swapping any Compur mounted lens onto a Supermatic shutter. Supermatic shutters will only be for Kodak lens for me, which makes life much simpler. I do understand your concerns. JohnW