What are the opinions on the Nikon 210mm f/5.6 Nikkor-W Lens

[larkis]

I have a 300mm fujinon and a 135mm Schneider that I use on my ebony, but would like to get a lens that will let me get close to a human face (or a flower) without the bellows factor becoming to much of an issue (like in my 135mm) or the bellows being to short (my 300). I'm using an ebony 4x5. Does anyone have the Nikon 210mm f/5.6 Nikkor-W Lens ? It's not very expensive so i wonder if it's just a good value or a crappy lens.

 

[Jeremy]

It's a great lens. 210mm f/5.6 plasmats are among the cheapest lenses, especially on the used market. It doesn't have to be expensive to be good

 

[Pinholemaster]

Get one

Enjoy it

 

[Richard Kelham]

I have one and can assure you it is an excellent lens. It wasn't cheap when I bought it (sob!).


Richard

 

[butterfly]

I have one. It is tack sharp. It is not ED glass and I have noticed a very tiny bit of CA, but only in extreme situations. Does not show up on prints, only magnified on screen. It's a great lens! Get one, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Robert Budding]

Excellent lens. And a great deal.

 

[Craig Roberts]

210 Nikor

I've owned of these for over 25 years and it has never failed me. It is the only "modern" that lens I own. Craig

 

[pwitkop]

I use mine all the time, it's a great lens. I notice it handles small apertures very well (without suffering too much from diffraction) when I was doing still life's, trying to get maximum DOF.

 

[c6h6o3]

The photographs I consider my best were made with this lens. I just love it. My only complaint is that it's a little short on coverage. This becomes much more of an issue for me on a 5x7 than a 4x5, but I've had vignetted negatives (only verticals) quite a few times on the smaller camera.

It's a splendid portrait lens for 4x5, but I wouldn't use it for that purpose on anything bigger.

 

[dpurdy]

I have that 5.6 210 Nikor W and have used it many times with 8x10 even at infinite. I love it as a sort of wide angle still life lens on 8x10 and it is very sharp. I don't understand thinking it doesn't have enough coverage, we must be talking about different lenses. Mine is rated for 5x7.

 

[Ole]

Just remember that the bellows factor is a function of reproduction ratio, not focal length. So taking a picture of the same subject at the same size on the film with a 150mm, a 210mm and a 300mm gives exactly the same bellows factor.

Apart from that, all reasonably modern lenses by any of the four main lens makers are excellent.

 

[darinwc]

Thank you,
as Ole said, if you get up close and personal you are going to have bellows extention compensation no matter what lens you use.

As far as the nikkor is concerned, its a modern plasmat, so its sure to be sharp and have adequate coverage.
I doubt you could tell the difference from any other similar lens, or most any other lenses designed for general LF photography. What more could you want?

 

[PVia]

Here are a few examples with this lens and my Ebony 45s:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/viapiano/254671890/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/viapiano/456292341/

 

[larkis]

Tanks for all the tips

So I got the lens a couple of days ago, did not have a chance to really test it beyond a few shots. So far I'm happy with the way it performs. Here are some links to the first images shot with it.

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[Nasir]

larkis, these shots are wonderful. Which film did you shoot them on? I also have this lens.

Thanks,
Nasir

 

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning, Larkis;

The NIKKOR 5.6/210mm lens is working for you. Nicely done. And you obviously have a remarkably tolerant Dad.