TOP 4 lenses for 8x10 Landscape work.

[Youngfolk]

What would you suggest to be the ultimate 4 lenses in your kit bag for landscape photography.

 

[koraks]

For me, the top-1 is a slightly beat-up Symmar-S 300/5.6, because it's one of only 3 lenses I own that covers the format.
I very rarely use a 240/9 G-Claron, but it's a little too wide to my taste, the ground glass image is on the dark side and I dislike the shutter it was mounted in.
I also have a 165/8 Super Angulon, but to be honest, I've rarely used it. Maybe I should dust it off and try it on for size again, but I find I virtually never use wide angle lenses on either 4x5 or 8x10.

So the 300/5.6 is the lens that I use 95% of the time. I'd actually prefer something longer, but things tend to get heavy, expensive and/or dark pretty quickly.

 

[Youngfolk]

Thanks Koraks, sound like a mine field as to what when and where to use the lens. I’m using a Schneider-Kreuznach Super-Symmar f/5.6 150mm XL 105° Aspheric MC Lens and a Schneider 600mm f9 APO-TELE-XENAR but I need an in between lens now. So it’s either the 300mm or 360mm so pondering which one would suit my landscape needs of mountain vistas and seascapes. The jury’s still out on that one.

 

[koraks]

Personally, I'd prefer the 360 instead of the 300. Of course, it also depends on budget and what's available in the marketplace. That's how I ended up with my 300.

 

[Alan9940]

Don't have 4, but I've used the same 3 on 8x10 for nearly 40 years: 240, 360 and 450/480. The last longer focal length depends on which camera I'm carrying. The lightweight Fuji 450C for my Intrepid and the much heavier Schneider 480 Artar with my Deardorff.

 

[Youngfolk]

Don't have 4, but I've used the same 3 on 8x10 for nearly 40 years: 240, 360 and 450/480. The last longer focal length depends on which camera I'm carrying. The lightweight Fuji 450C for my Intrepid and the much heavier Schneider 480 Artar with my Deardorff.

Alan that’s great. 360mm is a good mid range lens to use it seems. Having come from 6x6 hassy and my Linhof Techno moving back to film has been an interesting shift especially 8x10. More to carry and remember.

 

[Youngfolk]

Personally, I'd prefer the 360 instead of the 300. Of course, it also depends on budget and what's available in the marketplace. That's how I ended up with my 300.

I’ve considered that too given it’s in the middle.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

For me,, 240W Nikkor, 355 G-Claron, 450 Nikkor, 600 Fujinon. Mind you, I don't do much landscape work...

 

[woodlandSerenade]

I’ve carried a ‘budget-ish’ kit consisting of a Fuji W 210mm f/5.6 (inside-writing), Fuji W 250mm f/6.7, 355mm G-claron, and 450mm Nikkor M without any want for more selection (read: weight ).
I’m waiting on delivery of a 240mm Fuji A, so time will tell whether it replaces the 250mm for longer treks.
If you want to go full pictorialist, a soft-focus lens could be a good addition for some subjects. I thoroughly enjoy my 14.5” Verito but can’t recommend lugging it too far from the car.

 

[Youngfolk]

For me,, 240W Nikkor, 355 G-Claron, 450 Nikkor, 600 Fujinon. Mind you, I don't do much landscape work...

Awesome Andrew. The 355 G is highly desirable for its enormous coverage. Do you love it and would you buy it again? Schneider make good lenses. Would you say it’s newer than the 360mm Rodenstock Apo Sironar?

 

[Youngfolk]

I’ve carried a ‘budget-ish’ kit consisting of a Fuji W 210mm f/5.6 (inside-writing), Fuji W 250mm f/6.7, 355mm G-claron, and 450mm Nikkor M without any want for more selection (read: weight ).
I’m waiting on delivery of a 240mm Fuji A, so time will tell whether it replaces the 250mm for longer treks.
If you want to go full pictorialist, a soft-focus lens could be a good addition for some subjects. I thoroughly enjoy my 14.5” Verito but can’t recommend lugging it too far from the car.

I think that’s a great idea having a soft focus lens especially for foggy mornings or rainy cloud days moving over. Creates a real vintage feel and for low light.

 

[MTGseattle]

I'm new-ish to the format. My 3 current lenses are 159mm Wollensak, 300mm Fujinon and 450mm Fujinon. I've been running the mental debate about "needing" something longer than 450. I'm not rushing after any of the options.

 

[grahamp]

I only have two lenses to cover 8x10 - a 450mm Nikkor and a 270mm G-Claron. The 270 gets the most use. If I am careful about the corners, the 210 Sironar will work stopped down. At the moment I don't have enough need to expand on this selection.


On the niche side I have a shutter able to take simple diopter lenses on the back, so I have the option of a 333mm f16. It makes more sense with stronger diopters and smaller formats, but it is a light item to carry. It is not sharp, of course.

 

[Alan9940]

I'm new-ish to the format. My 3 current lenses are 159mm Wollensak, 300mm Fujinon and 450mm Fujinon. I've been running the mental debate about "needing" something longer than 450. I'm not rushing after any of the options.

The next logical step up from a 450mm would be 600mm, IMO. But, you might want to think about the amount of extension required to focus even at infinity. That's quite a bit of camera and bellows begging to be buffeted by wind.
Just sayin...

 

[juan]

It also depends on where you're photographing. Here, with trees everywhere, A 250 or 300mm works best for me.

 

[Sharktooth]

That's an easy one. My reading glasses, my focusing loupe, my Linhof finder, .... and a 300mm Symmar.

After taking half anhour getting everything organized and packed for transport, it's time for a break and a reevaluation.

Yup, weather's lookin' iffy, so maybe another day.

 

[Tom Taylor]

240mm, 360mm, and 610mm; 355mm Veritar for soft focus.

 

[DREW WILEY]

My preferred set is a 240 Fujinon A, 360 Fuinon A, and 450 Fuji C. I less often carry a 250 G Claron, 300 Nikkor M, 14 inch (360) Kern Dagor, and 600 Fujinon C. All those are about as good as it gets, at least for highly portable field use.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Awesome Andrew. The 355 G is highly desirable for its enormous coverage. Do you love it and would you buy it again? Schneider make good lenses. Would you say it’s newer than the 360mm Rodenstock Apo Sironar?

I love the 355 G. I would buy one again in a heart beat! It easily covers my 14x17 camera. I would say it's older than the Rodenstock.

 

[Maris]

From wide to long: 121mm f8 Super Angulon. 159mm F9.5 Wollensak, 210mm F5.6 Nikkor-W, 300mm f5.6 Fujinon-W,
and if take off the front group of the 210mm Nikkor I get a "converted" lens of about 700mm f16 which well stopped down is sharp enough for contact prints.

 

[Richard Man]

I like wide angle for my landscape, so the 210 APO Sironar W is my most-oft lens.

 

[Youngfolk]

I like wide angle for my landscape, so the 210 APO Sironar W is my most-oft lens.

That’s great Richard. Very cool.

 

[Youngfolk]

From wide to long: 121mm f8 Super Angulon. 159mm F9.5 Wollensak, 210mm F5.6 Nikkor-W, 300mm f5.6 Fujinon-W,
and if take off the front group of the 210mm Nikkor I get a "converted" lens of about 700mm f16 which well stopped down is sharp enough for contact prints.

Lovely selection Maris

 

[Youngfolk]

240mm, 360mm, and 610mm; 355mm Veritar for soft focus.

Now that’s a good portfolio mix for work. I’ve just gone for one extra the 150mm. Just for that wide scene. Like the soft focus option. Hmmm now I need to get that in without wife seeing that.

 

[John Earley]

My preferred set is a 240 Fujinon A, 360 Fuinon A, and 450 Fuji C.

The perfect set-up for 8x10 in my opinion.