Schneider SuperSymmar XL 80mm 4.5

Thanks John. They are expensive, mine was $325, but from what everyone tells me, worth the purchase. The lens is sure much easier to work with than my current Nikkor 90mm f8.

Baxter Bradford said:

Oh and another thing!
Best to check if you will need the Lee Push on holder for the 80XL (especially if using a 105mm Pola on the front adaptor ring) to prevent vignetting. Pretty sure that this is the case for the 90XL and 72XL which I considered at one point. The standard filter holder is then used for your other lenses. John is right about using the w/a adaptor rings if you don't have to have the push on holder. The chaps at Robert White do know their stuff and will give accurate answers.
I suggest that you avoid the square polarisers, since if used with grads, you have to have a rotating assembly clagged on the front to get the alignment right. The front 105mm ring is far neater and opens up possiblity of using Polas from Heliopan, B+W etc too. Mind you, they aren't the cheapest items to buy.

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Baxter,

I could be wrong but I think the reason why the 72 and 90XLs need the push on adaptor is that their thread is 95mm - which the Lee adaptors cannot manage - rather than coverage. If you look at how the wide angle adaptors seat, they really do no leave any metal 'in the way' as far as I can see. The only issue would be a possible need to remove slots from the holder to open up its angle, but if it is always orientated properly i.e. slots to sides with vertical shots and to top and bottom for lanscapes, this gives more angle.

Robert

Not all suposedly identical lenses are equal I guess. I dont mind the dinginess really, but love the performance. Where possible I like to shoot at f16 or even f11 1/2 as the results are like big MF negs in terms of resolution. I have been unable to even approach the coverage on 5x4. The max aperture on the 80XL is very appealing but the cost and its tightness on 5x7 rules it out for me. I have handled one and you are right it is ridiculously small - would be a dream with a little ebony 5x4 for backpacking etc. Now, the 110XL is only my shopping list, after the 12 guage I would need to rob the bank.....


Hope it works well for you,

Tom

Tom Stanworth said:

Now, the 110XL is only my shopping list, after the 12 guage I would need to rob the bank.....

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It took me a long time to decide between the 80XL and the 110XL. I have a Nikkor 90, and wanted something close to that size. I already have a 135, so I felt the 110XL was just too close to the 135. The 135 is currently my favorite lens (but I suspect the 80XL will change that). Since I shoot almost exclusively Velvia, I really have no interest in going to a larger format - 4x5 really is the perfect format for me - so the large image circle isn't as big a factor for me.

I would hazard a guess that as you use the 80mm lens, over time, you will use more and more of that image circle and I would bet that the 135mm will be traded for a different lens with more coverage. Please report back in 5 years.