Suggestions for 150mm for 4x5

[Doc W]

My current 150mm lens is an Apo Lanthar and although I love the lens for its rather warm colour rendition, it doesn't have a lot of coverage. I am starting to do some architectural photography, mainly church interiors, and I am looking for a 150mm in a modern shutter that is multi-coated, with good coverage, that doesn't break the bank.

 

[Richard Man]

Fujinon 150/5.6. Has all the movements you can use on 4x5 and inexpensive compared to the German glass.

 

[removed account4]

if you can find one .. a computar symmetrigon... might fit the bill

 

[Laurent]

I used an APO Symmar, which had plenty of coverage and was great in use.

Don't think it is too expensive (it was not the last and latest)

 

[Patrick Robert James]

Pretty much... All of them!

Fuji seems to be the best bang for the buck these days since you are concerned about the buck. I know the ones I own are beyond excellent. Some may say that lenses like the APO Symmar are better, but I have no desire to "upgrade" since I don't think it is an upgrade. The Fujinons are super sleepers in my opinion.

 

[Jesper]

Nikon SW150/8 perhaps. Nice lens and a lot of movements on 4x5.

 

[esearing]

Schneider Symar convertible 150 f5.6 / 265 f12 single coated for B&W - Two lenses for the price of one and usually very cheap. Finding one with a perfect shutter may be a challenge but you can CLA them for $100. The 265 focal length is achieved by removing the front element and is usually a bit softer than the 150mm length.

 

[Ian Grant]

A Symmar S or Sironar N is a good choice, cheaper but identical are the Caltar branded versions.

Ian

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Perhaps a 150 Graphic Kowa in shutter?

 

[Paul Howell]

An older lens, sharp with good coverage 152 Commercial Ektar.

 

[Ari]

Nikon SW150/8 perhaps. Nice lens and a lot of movements on 4x5.

That's a huge lens, and heavy, too; way too much for 4x5.
I considered it for 8x10 but decided against it because of the size and weight.
For 4x5, I'd definitely suggest the Fujinon-W 150 or a Nikkor-W 150; both are tiny and very sharp with ample coverage.

 

[Trond]

I would perhaps be more concerned about the shutter, than the make of the lens.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

I suggested the Graphic Kowa because it can be pushed with reasonable quality all the way to 290mm image circle. Depending on how much rise is needed to include those church steeples and high windows or arches, the OP might need a ton of movement. While the G-K is a bit dim at f/9 in barrel, it's f/6.8 in shutter so not too bad. The advantages of the 150mm G-K to a Nikkor-SW or Schn. SSXL are size, weight, filter size and cost. It's just a thought.

 

[Doc W]

I would perhaps be more concerned about the shutter, than the make of the lens.

Why is that? I would prefer a more modern shutter, but beyond that...?

 

[Ian Grant]

Why is that? I would prefer a more modern shutter, but beyond that...?

Some people have different viewpoints. It's the whole combination that's important, shutters can be serviced or replaced but ideally it's better to buy a good lens in a fully working shutter.

Some of my Compur shutters are over 100 years old and they run as smoothly now as the day they left the factory, I doubt many modern Copals will last that long. It's more important to have lenses where shutters could be replaced albeit with secondhand ones.

Ian

 

[Trond]

Why is that? I would prefer a more modern shutter, but beyond that...?

It's just that most large format lenses are actually very good. The lens itself will never wear out (if properly cared for), but the shutter will sooner or later fail. It can be repaired, but will eventually be completely worn out.

So, personally, when I have been buying lenses, I have paid particular attention to the shutter, to minimize the risk of having them break down while I own them.

Trond

 

[Doc W]

The two faves seem to be the Fujinon W and the Nikkor 150 W and there are quite a few used ones out there at reasonable prices, with the Fujinon being a little less expensive. I read Kerry Thalman's page on Fujinons, which was helpful, and if I go for a Fujinon, I will try to get the f/5.6 with the EBC multicoating. Is there anything else I should look for or avoid in either lens?

 

[Mick Fagan]

The two faves seem to be the Fujinon W and the Nikkor 150 W and there are quite a few used ones out there at reasonable prices, with the Fujinon being a little less expensive. I read Kerry Thalman's page on Fujinons, which was helpful, and if I go for a Fujinon, I will try to get the f/5.6 with the EBC multicoating. Is there anything else I should look for or avoid in either lens?

I have two of the single coated Fujinon-W f:6.3/150 lens, both in Seiko shutters. I wouldn't discount them either they work remarkably well and unless you are shooting directly into full sunlight I don't think there are many other issues between a multi coated and a single coated lens.

These particular lenses are more than reasonably priced, which is one of the reasons I have two of them. I bought the first as it came with my Shen Hao 4x5, the results were so good that for the price of another I couldn't go past one when I supplied a donor lens for a Razzle camera I was having built for me.

Mick.

 

[Alan Gales]

I agree with Mick about the older Fujinons. I own both 180mm and 250mm single coated Fujinons and I have no problems with flare. I do shade them well with a darkslide.

My 250 and a lot of Fujinons suffer from Fujitus just like Schneiders suffer from Schneideritus. It doesn't affect anything but selling price which is good for you since your are a buyer.

 

[Doc W]

It's just that most large format lenses are actually very good. The lens itself will never wear out (if properly cared for), but the shutter will sooner or later fail. It can be repaired, but will eventually be completely worn out.

So, personally, when I have been buying lenses, I have paid particular attention to the shutter, to minimize the risk of having them break down while I own them.

Trond

Ah, I see. I get your point. I asked about possible issues with the lens itself, but I am concerned about shutters too. I am surprised that more vendors don't mention the accuracy of the shutter, but I guess most people don't test them. One of the first things I ask a seller is whether or not the shutter is accurate. If they don't know, I pass on it because, as we know, a good CLA can add $100 to the cost of a lens. In my case, since I send my lenses to the US, that $100 increases by at least 50% because of the current exchange rate and shipping. I am going to try a new guy in Montreal soon and that will save me quite a bit.

Most of my shutters are older: either Synchro Compur or Universal, and as long as I stay on top of them, they work just fine.

So, you are quite right. There isn't much point in finding a good deal on a lens if the shutter needs a lot of repair.

 

[Doc W]

Mick, thanks for the tip. I had excluded that particular version from my search but it is good to know that they perform well (and man, they are really inexpensive!). On Ian's advice, I am going spend some time in the church tomorrow to determine if it is in fact a 150mm that I need. If it is, there are lots of these Fujinons out there so I don't have to break the bank.

Thanks, fellas!

 

[Ari]

If it's a larger IC you're after, then the older, single-coated Fujinons are a better choice.
For the older W series, it's 245mm IC; for the later multi-coated lenses, it's 224mm IC. Both ICs are for the f5.6 lenses, not for the f6.3 that Mick mentioned.