Want to Buy WTB: 420mm or 450mm

[CollinB]

I'm looking for a Fujinon-L 420mm (2nd choice)
or a Nikkor-M 450/9 (first choice).
And I'm also looking for opinions about both.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Opinion on the Nikkor-M 450 - awesome lens. I have used it on every format from 5x7 to 14x17 and it is a gem across all of them. Given that it covers my 14x17 with movements, its reputation for covering 12x20 is probably justified. What format are you looking to use it with?

 

[CollinB]

I am lpokong at this range for 8x10 portraits and landscapes. (I like my portraits tight.)

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

It's a little long for 8x10 portraits, but it'll be fine. Frankly, for 8x10 portrait work I'd rather have a 14" Commercial Ektar (360mm). That lens was used by some of the portraiture greats (Irving Penn, Yousuf Karsh). It has beautiful transitions from sharp to out-of-focus. The Nikon's bokeh is nice but not as nice as the Commercial Ektar's. Depending on what camera you're using, here's another option for you - (there was a url link here which no longer exists) The 16" Wollensak Vitax is a world-class portrait lens, and is up in the focal length range you're looking for. I have no interest in this transaction, just pointing out the availability.