Rookie 4x5 Lens Question...Which is better? And why?

n2mf · Oct 3, 2013

Just starting into shooting a 4x5. Haven't shot any sheet film yet, but have just started shooting with a 6x9 roll film holder that came with the camera set I found. The camera is a Graflex Crown Graphic Special. My question...The camera came with a Schneider Xenar 135/4.7 lens & Synchro Compur-P shutter. I have another lens that I purchased with some other items at another time. It's a Graflex Optar 135/4.7 & Full Synchromatic shutter. Both lenses are equal as far as condition is concerned...But is one better than the other for some reason or another?

Also, I have another board for the camera. When I shoot 6x9 with this camera, would I be better off to shoot with a more normal medium format focal length lens for more coverage?

Thanks in advance.

Jesper · Oct 3, 2013

Most LF lenses (clean and working) will give good images and LF photogs are usually not as prone to comparing MTF graphs as 35mm shooters. I would say that you could get satisfactory results with either one (I haven't tested the two you mention but this is my guess). Which one you prefer is up to you. Since you have both lenses I would recommend that you take some pictures with them both and judge for yourself which one you like the better.

n2mf · Oct 3, 2013

Jesper said:
Most LF lenses (clean and working) will give good images and LF photogs are usually as prone to comparing MTF graphs as 35mm shooters. I would say that you could get satisfactory results with either one (I haven't tested the two you mention but this is my guess). Which one you prefer is up to you. Since you have both lenses I would recommend that you take some pictures with them both and judge for yourself which one you like the better.

Yes, I know I can shoot and compare the two. I was just asking in case there was some particular reason that one had a specific known issue that would preclude it from being a good user.

summicron1 · Oct 3, 2013

both lenses are excellent, but if i had to choose I'd take the Xenar -- the one on my Rolleicord does lovely things to whites.

The Optar is a more generic lens, as I understand it, aimed at the professional press market (as was the Graphic) and will do you good service, but it won't have that glow the xenar will. Also hard to beat a good working compur shutter.

n2mf · Oct 3, 2013

summicron1 said:
both lenses are excellent, but if i had to choose I'd take the Xenar -- the one on my Rolleicord does lovely things to whites.

The Optar is a more generic lens, as I understand it, aimed at the professional press market (as was the Graphic) and will do you good service, but it won't have that glow the xenar will. Also hard to beat a good working compur shutter.

Thank you...This is the type of answer I was hoping for. Very helpful. Thank you.

E. von Hoegh · Oct 3, 2013

They're both Tessars. They're both aimed at the press photographers of that day. They will behave very similarly.

And yes I've actually used them both, as opposed to just hearing about them.

Rick A · Oct 3, 2013

While both lenses will serve up outstanding results, I would pick the one with the better(more accurate/reliable) shutter. I have my favorite lens (127 Ysarex), and sold the 135 that came with my press camera. Shoot both and make a decision which you prefer and stick with that one.

jp498 · Oct 3, 2013

They are both good lenses and shutters. The Optar will simply be more common and have a lesser price.

Ian Grant · Oct 3, 2013

jp498 said:
They are both good lenses and shutters. The Optar will simply be more common and have a lesser price.

Optars are only common in the US and on Graflex cameras, there were far more 135mm f4.7 Xenars made.

The only problem with both lenses is they have very little coverage and allow very little in terms of movements, not quite so important on a Crown or Speed Graphic. I used a pre WWII 135mm f4,5 Tessar on my Crown Graphic for a year before replacing it with a 150mm f4.5 T (coated) CZJ tessar. The other issue is the edges and corners of these lenses are only really sharp at f22. I do use a 135mm f4,7 Xenar..

Ian

shutterfinger · Oct 3, 2013

The Crown Graphic Special came with the 135mm f4.7 Xenar from the factory and sold for $20 less than the Crown Graphic that came with the 135 f4.7 Wollensak Graphic Optar. The only difference between the standard Crown and the Crown Special is the top lens board lock and the lens/shutter they shipped from the factory with.

Due to production tolerances one may perform better than the other in a technical showdown. Test them with the camera on a tripod, ground glass focused with a loupe, and wide open. One may produce images that you like better.

I can CLA either shutter for $75 + shipping.

Someonenameddavid · Oct 3, 2013

Is that the same Ysarex you find on a Polaroid 110A/B and is that also a Tessar... so why is it better

Regular Rod · Oct 4, 2013

n2mf said:
Just starting into shooting a 4x5. Haven't shot any sheet film yet, but have just started shooting with a 6x9 roll film holder that came with the camera set I found. The camera is a Graflex Crown Graphic Special. My question...The camera came with a Schneider Xenar 135/4.7 lens & Synchro Compur-P shutter. I have another lens that I purchased with some other items at another time. It's a Graflex Optar 135/4.7 & Full Synchromatic shutter. Both lenses are equal as far as condition is concerned...But is one better than the other for some reason or another?

Also, I have another board for the camera. When I shoot 6x9 with this camera, would I be better off to shoot with a more normal medium format focal length lens for more coverage?

Thanks in advance.

If you want coverage with movements on your 6x9 your lenses should be able to cope. If you are using 4x5 you might consider selling one or even both lenses and buying a 1950's Symmar 150. These are convertible lenses. You get two lenses in one. Out of the box it's a 150mm lens, take off the front element and you have a 265mm lens. Very useful if you want to save space and weight.

RR

Rick A · Oct 4, 2013

Someonenameddavid said:
Is that the same Ysarex you find on a Polaroid 110A/B and is that also a Tessar... so why is it better

Yes, I robbed it off a Pola 110b, I believe it is a tessar It's the first LF lens I personally owned, I'm used to it, am comfortable with it, know what to expect from it. I love the angle of view. It doesn't have a self cocking shutter, so I have to think before I shoot. I paid $10 for the camera a few years back, really affordable back then, everything else was out of my price range(I'm disabled and on SS). I have other lenses now, but this lives on my 4x5, I change out if the situation demands.

Rookie 4x5 Lens Question...Which is better? And why?

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