What is a good budget wide angle lens?

Ariston · Jun 18, 2020

I need coverage for 4x5, but don't necessarily need it to allow for a lot of movements. I would like something in the 90mm range, give or take, and at least f/5.6 if possible.

Any recommendations for a poor man's lens?

Dan Fromm · Jun 18, 2020

f/5.6 will cost you. Relatively inexpensive and easily found ~90 mm lenses that barely cover 4x5 include 88/6.8 B&L, 90/6.8 Raptar and Optar (same lens, different engraving on the trim rings) and 90/6.8 Angulon. The first two are four elements in four groups double Gauss types, the Angulon is, well, an Angulon (6/2). All have much the same performance.

If you want movements too, look for a 90/14 Berthiot Perigraphe Ser. VIa. These lenses are all in barrel, if you need a shutter find a cheap Alphax #3 or Ilex #3 that works. Cheap is easy, that works isn't. These lenses can be stuffed into the fronts of these shutters. The Ilex is a better fit, the Alphax will need to have a little tape on the threads.

jimjm · Jun 18, 2020

Also keep an eye out for any Caltar-branded lenses. Many of them are actually re-badged Rodenstock or Schneider lenses, but are usually less expensive.
I have a 90mm f:8 that has good coverage for 4x5 and is a fine performer.

abruzzi · Jun 18, 2020

I just snagged a Fujinon 105mm f8 off ebay for under $100 shipped. Yes, its slower, but for that price (and a 250mm image circle) you might look for similar. (I haven't shot with it yet, but have no reason to think I'll be unhappy.) The 90mm f5.6 lenses (and the f4.5 lenses) are going to cost you. I was looking for a while, and the entry point for one that didn't have any obvious issues was about $300 plus shipping or just under. From what I've seen the Fujinon SW 90mm f5.6 did seem a little cheaper than the Schneider, Rodenstock, and Nikons, especially if you go for a single coated one (the printing outside the barrel are the multi coated, printing on the ring inside the barrel is single coated, mostly)

GregY · Jun 18, 2020

Like Dan F said "5.6 will cost you" but there are many Fujinon, Grandagon, Nikon 90mm f8 on *bay for a little as $200, or angulon 6.8 for just over $100.

ic-racer · Jun 18, 2020

Coverage of many 90mm lenses for 4x5 cameras can be identified by looking at the lens elements. In my experience they fall into two categories. Those that "just cover" and those that allow for generous movements, as seen here:

Kodachromeguy · Jun 18, 2020

Recently, there were a number of the 90mm ƒ/5.6 lenses on the big Bay site in the range of $100-$200. That may be the best route for you because many of these are reasonably recent vintage and should have good shutters. If you buy some sort of "bargain" older lens, you may need to add the cost of shutter cleaning.

I recently bought a ƒ/6.8 Angulon (not Super-Angulon, the older version). I have just started using it and so far love the look, and it is tiny. I am using Series VI filters on it.

Ariston · Jun 18, 2020

All good info - thanks. I can work with f8 to save money. I actually like the idea of a smaller lens to pack around, but I realize that that will cost me coverage. I am going to keep an eye out for several of the lenses mentioned.

Bill Burk · Jun 18, 2020

B&L Protar is a good value

Dan Fromm · Jun 18, 2020

Bill Burk said:
B&L Protar is a good value

$$$ and no shutter.

mshchem · Jun 18, 2020

The Fujinon 105 f8 is a great lens. That's one that Fuji used on their 617 cameras. I have a G617 , it's a great lens and still looks great at f16. I have a Fujinon 90 5.6 SWD, I got a deal on it fabulous lens.

Neil Poulsen · Jun 18, 2020

A 90mm Geronon (sic?) by Rodenstock was intended as a wide-angle, double-Gause, lower priced lens for 4x5. MC and good quality. Maybe a single-coated Super Angulon f8? 90mm super-wides have dropped in price, so consider going for one with a large image circle. Fuji f8 90mm, single coated super wides?

Bob S · Jun 18, 2020

Neil Poulsen said:
A 90mm Geronon (sic?) by Rodenstock was intended as a wide-angle, double-Gause, lower priced lens for 4x5. MC and good quality. Maybe a single-coated Super Angulon f8? 90mm super-wides have dropped in price, so consider going for one with a large image circle. Fuji f8 90mm, single coated super wides?

Geragon-WA was the 90. A very good budget lens.

voceumana · Jun 18, 2020

Schneider Angulon (not Super Angulon) is a very compact lens. Made in 90mm and 120mm focal lengths, at f/6.9 A very nice performer and about as compact as a lens can get. The 90mm will cover 4x5 with just a little movement, and 120 probably covers 5x7.

CatSplat · Jun 18, 2020

jimjm said:
Also keep an eye out for any Caltar-branded lenses. Many of them are actually re-badged Rodenstock or Schneider lenses, but are usually less expensive.
I have a 90mm f:8 that has good coverage for 4x5 and is a fine performer.

Yep, Caltar- IIN lenses tend to be quite good value. The Caltar-IIN 90mm f/6.8 and 75mm f/6.8 are rebadged Rodenstock Grandagon-Ns and can be had around the $200 mark. They're a nice middle ground between the dimmer f/8s and the bigger, pricier f/5.6s. Even the name-brand Rodenstock versions aren't terribly expensive.

mshchem · Jun 19, 2020

Agree on the Caltar lenses even the old Ilex made lenses from the 60's. Calumet Rodenstocks are a steal.

Donald Qualls · Jun 19, 2020

I have a 105mm triplet (don't offhand recall what brand) I've used on my 4x5 Speed Graphic -- it came off a folding 6x9, and I paid $10. I'll cover 4x5 at f/11 or smaller if focused to around 12 feet (hyperfocal). They don't get any more economical than that. And yes, it's sharp; set to hyperfocal, I have a negative in which I can read a license plate from a block away.

EdSawyer · Jun 19, 2020

90mm f/8 Nikkor - light, relatively cheap, best resolution and contrast of any of the 90mms for 4x5.

halfaman · Jun 19, 2020

I have a multicoated 90 mm f/8 Super-Angulon, normally used at f16-f22. Framing is a bit difficult with low light but image quality is outstanding. I don't think it can get any better.

BrianShaw · Jun 19, 2020

Kodachromeguy said:
Recently, there were a number of the 90mm ƒ/5.6 lenses on the big Bay site in the range of $100-$200. That may be the best route for you because many of these are reasonably recent vintage and should have good shutters.

I went that route a few years ago. Most worthless lens I ever bought... way too big and heavy.

Ai Print · Jun 19, 2020

EdSawyer said:
90mm f/8 Nikkor - light, relatively cheap, best resolution and contrast of any of the 90mms for 4x5.

+1, simply an outstanding lens with more than enough coverage for most images and about as small and light as it gets for a 90mm, it goes on every LF outing. Another thing to consider is that I find it does not need a center grad filter where as the faster and wider lenses usually will, a big plus for the 67mm filter size of the 90/8.

abruzzi · Jun 19, 2020

EdSawyer said:
90mm f/8 Nikkor - light, relatively cheap, best resolution and contrast of any of the 90mms for 4x5.

The only issue is that when I was looking over the last ~month, the Nikkor f8 was almost as expensive as the Nikkor f4.5. In fact, right now the cheapest f8 on ebay is more ($380+30 shipping) than the cheapest f4.5 ($340+30 shipping).

Bob S · Jun 19, 2020

Donald Qualls said:
I have a 105mm triplet (don't offhand recall what brand) I've used on my 4x5 Speed Graphic -- it came off a folding 6x9, and I paid $10. I'll cover 4x5 at f/11 or smaller if focused to around 12 feet (hyperfocal). They don't get any more economical than that. And yes, it's sharp; set to hyperfocal, I have a negative in which I can read a license plate from a block away.

Great! But can you read that license plate ⅓ to the edge? ⅔? At the edge or corners?

Donald Qualls · Jun 19, 2020

I'll try to remember to paste the scan of that negative later this evening, when I'm home. The plate is about 1/2 from center to left edge, and not quite that high above center. I have a 1:1 crop scan (1200 ppi) as well. A higher res scan would look even better.

I really wasn't expecting much from a lens that would be considered "cheap" on a 6x9 folder -- so I was more than a little surprised when I saw the result. The lens if f/6.3, so not too dim to focus and frame, and it's tiny compared to actual large format lenses. No way you could get away with this with a 90, 75, or 60 mm medium format lens, though; they wouldn't come close to covering.

removed account4 · Jun 19, 2020

they aren't 5.6. but are great lenses. ..
a 90mm raptar ( wollensak ) small big coverage I think f 6.8.
and
3 1/2 inch wollensak exwa tiny lens covers 5x7 stopped down, sometimes comes in an alphax shutter (self cocking ) but f12..
had both lenses sold them to get a super angulon but wish I still had them, the SA is great but its kind of big by comparison..

What is a good budget wide angle lens?

Ariston

Dan Fromm

jimjm

abruzzi

GregY

ic-racer

Kodachromeguy

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Ariston

Bill Burk

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mshchem

Neil Poulsen

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voceumana

CatSplat

mshchem

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EdSawyer

halfaman

BrianShaw

Ai Print

abruzzi

Bob S

Donald Qualls

removed account4

What is a good budget wide angle lens?

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