Schneider 120/5.6 Apo Symmar L

Martin Aislabie · Sep 30, 2008

Is anyone using/has experience of this lens ?

Having moved up to 5x4 last year and started with a 90mm

I now feel ready to expand my lens collection and think a 125mm lens is a good next logical step

In 35mm terms I always wanted either a wider or longer than the standard 50mm lens and figure a 125 on a 5x4 should be about a 35mm lens equivalent in 35mm

Thanks

Martin

ic-racer · Sep 30, 2008

I have never used that particular lens, but I do enjoy a 120mm on 4x5. The 35mm lens equivalent is nice.

Colin Corneau · Sep 30, 2008

A good rule of thumb I read here was, for 4x5 shooting, divide by 3 to get a rough 35mm lens equivalent.

It's personal taste, ultimately. I have a 150mm lens for my Shen Hao and quite like it. My personal taste is to look at a 90mm next, as opposed to a "tele" lens. YMMV

pgomena · Oct 1, 2008

My 120 is my least-used 4x5 lens. It is equivalent to a 35mm lens on 35mm format. It's probably no coincidence that my 35mm lens is my least-used lens in that format as well. Just not a focal length I find useful. I'm just more of a "normal" guy. I like 50mm on 35 format and 150mm on 4x5. Some people love 135mm on 4x5. Depends on what you like. Maybe borrow or rent one before you buy.

Peter Gomena

naturephoto1 · Oct 1, 2008

Martin Aislabie said:
Is anyone using/has experience of this lens ?

Having moved up to 5x4 last year and started with a 90mm

I now feel ready to expand my lens collection and think a 125mm lens is a good next logical step

In 35mm terms I always wanted either a wider or longer than the standard 50mm lens and figure a 125 on a 5x4 should be about a 35mm lens equivalent in 35mm

Thanks

Martin

I have one and it is a superb performing lens. It is small and compact. Performance is close to my 120mm f 5.6 Schneider Super Symmar HM lens.

Rich

kirkfry · Oct 1, 2008

What about longer, a 210mm is longer than normal and the good news is that there are zillions of good used ones for sale. Many folks start with a 210. K If you want small and light (but f=9.0) a 200M Nikkor is very nice. Any plasmat from the big 4 in the last 50 years that is not damaged will be fine. K

GeorgesGiralt · Oct 1, 2008

Hi !
I own the Apo-Symmar (not L) version of this 120 mm it is fitted into a black Copal size 0 shutter.
It is like a toy : tiny, light but give excellent results. The only thing I would ask will be more coverage (but it will become bulkier and heavier...).
It fills a gap between the 150 and the 90 mm lenses.
I think you'll enjoy it !

Trevor Crone · Oct 1, 2008

Martin, I don't have the 120 Apo Symmar L but I do have the 150 ASL, I needed more coverage. The 150 is perhaps my sharpest lens, of course not everyone wants or needs the kind of sharpness offered by this lens. In fact it is as sharp as I could want, I wouldn't appreciate anything sharper. It is also a remarkably 'flare free' lens, even in difficult lighting conditions it performs exceedingly well.

As long as the 120 ASL offers you enough lens coverage for your needs then I'm sure you will not be dissapointed.

Trevor.

Martin Aislabie · Oct 1, 2008

Trevor Crone said:
Martin, I don't have the 120 Apo Symmar L but I do have the 150 ASL, I needed more coverage. The 150 is perhaps my sharpest lens, of course not everyone wants or needs the kind of sharpness offered by this lens. In fact it is as sharp as I could want, I wouldn't appreciate anything sharper. It is also a remarkably 'flare free' lens, even in difficult lighting conditions it performs exceedingly well.

As long as the 120 ASL offers you enough lens coverage for your needs then I'm sure you will not be dissapointed.

Trevor.

Trevor - does that mean you find the 150ASL is short of coverage - or you went for the 150 over the 120 to get more coverage.

Lack of image circle is about the only draw back I can see with this choice of lens.

Thanks

Martin

Trevor Crone · Oct 1, 2008

Martin Aislabie said:
Trevor - does that mean you find the 150ASL is short of coverage - or you went for the 150 over the 120 to get more coverage.

Lack of image circle is about the only draw back I can see with this choice of lens.

Thanks

Martin

Indeed, the 150 gave me more coverage, image circle of 233mm as opposed to the 120's image circle of 166mm.

Trevor.

naturephoto1 · Oct 1, 2008

Trevor Crone said:
Indeed, the 150 gave me more coverage, image circle of 233mm as opposed to the 120's image circle of 166mm.

Trevor.

The image circle of the 120mm f 5.6 Apo Symmar L is actually listed by Schneider as being 189mm (at f22) which is much greater than the 166mm suggested by Trevor. In addition, you will probably find that the image circle is closer to perhaps 194 or 195mm (possibly more); Schneider tends to be conservative in its estimates. As long as you can live within the image circle this will be a fine addition, superb performing, small, light, and compact package.

Rich

Trevor Crone · Oct 1, 2008

Thanks for the correction on the 120's image circle Rich. I was quoting from Robert White's website.

http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/product.asp?P_ID=1230&PT_ID=370&P=120/5.6-Apo-Symmar-L

Trevor.

Martin Aislabie · Oct 1, 2008

Yes, I had spotted that typo on the Robert White web site

Thanks for your opinions of the ASL lens range and of the usefulness of the 120mm lenght of lens

I believe that there are no modern duff lenses - just great or even better

The image circle is a little tight - even at 189mm - but I have found I use less shift/rise/fall than I expected - a little bit seems to go a long way

Thanks for the advice

Martin

Schneider 120/5.6 Apo Symmar L

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