240mm lenses

Ron Gans wrote:
 > I have a 4x5 camera (Wisner and a Toyo G) and am interested in buying a
 > 240mm lens for it. I've used one in a workshop and like the 1:1 ease,
 > etc. BUT, there are many types (as usual) and the prices can vary a
 > lot. I shoot B&W almost exclusively; a combination of stills, people
 > and landscapes (I have a 300, 210, 150 and 135, Scheniders and
 > Nikkors). I've been looking on eBay: there are some Rodenstock's
 > Gerogon f/9, Sironar, Ronars, Nikkors, Componons, Symmars, etc. I've
 > looked at some web sites, but mostly they discuss the coverage, etc. I
 > don't think I'd have to go for a f/5.6. f/9 would probably be quite
 > sufficient for most uses. Multicoated, etc. What are the good and bad
 > (if any) points?
 >
 > RON
 >

A Schneider G-Claron would be a good bet. Most fit in #1 shutters, and
they cover 80* at F45. I have one and it works for my 8x10, and so I
doubt that you'd run out of coverage on your 4x5. G-claron's are single
coated.

A 240 Fuji-A would be a great multicoated lens in a #1 shutter, but
it'll be more expensive.

I used to have a 10" (254mm) Ilex paragon that was an exceptional
performer, but the shutter wasn't as reliable as a Copal shutter.

Google 'Chris Perez lens test' and 'Kerry Thalmann Large Format' for
some good info.

-Peter<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 240mm lenses 

I used the 240 G Claron, it was a very nice lens, less expensive than most,
gobs of coverage for 4x5 (I used it for 8x10), relatively small and light in
a Copal 1 shutter. It's a single coated, F9 lens. With that focal length F9
wasn't a problem and I've never observed any significant, consistent
difference between single and multi coatings in large format lenses.

"Ron Gans" <xhosa2010.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1108478173.295722.287450@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
 > I have a 4x5 camera (Wisner and a Toyo G) and am interested in buying a
 > 240mm lens for it. I've used one in a workshop and like the 1:1 ease,
 > etc. BUT, there are many types (as usual) and the prices can vary a
 > lot. I shoot B&W almost exclusively; a combination of stills, people
 > and landscapes (I have a 300, 210, 150 and 135, Scheniders and
 > Nikkors). I've been looking on eBay: there are some Rodenstock's
 > Gerogon f/9, Sironar, Ronars, Nikkors, Componons, Symmars, etc. I've
 > looked at some web sites, but mostly they discuss the coverage, etc. I
 > don't think I'd have to go for a f/5.6. f/9 would probably be quite
 > sufficient for most uses. Multicoated, etc. What are the good and bad
 > (if any) points?
 >
 > RON
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 240mm lenses 

Ron Gans wrote:
 > I have a 4x5 camera (Wisner and a Toyo G) and am interested in buying a
 > 240mm lens for it. I've used one in a workshop and like the 1:1 ease,
 > etc. BUT, there are many types (as usual) and the prices can vary a
 > lot. I shoot B&W almost exclusively; a combination of stills, people
 > and landscapes (I have a 300, 210, 150 and 135, Scheniders and
 > Nikkors). I've been looking on eBay: there are some Rodenstock's
 > Gerogon f/9, Sironar, Ronars, Nikkors, Componons, Symmars, etc. I've
 > looked at some web sites, but mostly they discuss the coverage, etc. I
 > don't think I'd have to go for a f/5.6. f/9 would probably be quite
 > sufficient for most uses. Multicoated, etc. What are the good and bad
 > (if any) points?
 >
 > RON
 >
If you work in the field instead of a studio, you might consider selling
most of those lenses and getting a Wisner Convertable Plasmat set. These
come with a shutter (slightly modified Copal #1) and 5 cells (for the 4x5
set, anyway).
There are two cells of 250mm, and one each of 350mm, 400mm, and 450mm.
Individual cells are f/13, but in combinations, they range from f/9 to
f/12.6. You can use single cells if you stop down a bit or use a narrow
filter. He also offers a corrector lens to use with single cells, but I
have been unable to obtain one.

It makes combinations of 152, 182, 197, 212, 227, 242, and 258mm focal
lengths, and the single cells give you also 250, 350, 400, and 450mm.

All this in a nifty mahogony box about 6" wide, 3.375" high, and 3.375"
deep (not including shutter). Normally, I just take that set and a
SuperAngulon 90mm f/8.

--
.~. Jean-David Beyer Registered Linux User 85642.
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 >> Stay informed about: 240mm lenses 

In article <42120ac5$1_2@newspeer2.tds.net>,
Peter De Smidt <pdesmidt*no*spam*@tds.*net*> wrote:
 >
 >A Schneider G-Claron would be a good bet. Most fit in #1 shutters, and
 >they cover 80* at F45. I have one and it works for my 8x10, and so I
 >doubt that you'd run out of coverage on your 4x5. G-claron's are single
 >coated.

I've had good luck with the Computar f/9 lenses, which are often found
in shutters.

There seems to be some variation in the quality of these lenses (or
perhaps correct spacing for a given purpose when put into shutters).
I suggest trying one before buying it, if possible -- though you
might well find two or three on eBay for the price of a single lens
of some other types.

--
Thor Lancelot Simon tls RemoveThis @rek.tjls.com

"The inconsistency is startling, though admittedly, if consistency is to be
abandoned or transcended, there is no problem." - Noam Chomsky<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 240mm lenses 

Thor Lancelot Simon wrote:

 >
 > I've had good luck with the Computar f/9 lenses, which are often found
 > in shutters.
 >
 > There seems to be some variation in the quality of these lenses (or
 > perhaps correct spacing for a given purpose when put into shutters).
 > I suggest trying one before buying it, if possible -- though you
 > might well find two or three on eBay for the price of a single lens
 > of some other types.
 >

Computar, Kyvyx (sp?) and Kowa Graphic are essentially the same lenses.
They have very good reputations. I have a Kowa Graphic 300mm in a
barrel, but I haven't really used it since I have a Fuji 300C in a shutter.

You should be careful about these lenses, though, if you plan on putting
them into shutters. Some versions of a specific focal length are a
direct fit, and some are not. I once bought a 210 Kowa Graphic because
everyone said that they fit directly into a Copal #1 shutter. Mine did
not. Some of the 240mm versions fit into a #3 shutter (I think). I have
a brochure somewhere if it's important. There are ways to tell if the
lenses in question is a direct fit model, but they escape me at the
moment. It has something to do with where the lens lettering is. You
might pull it up on a google search of the web or this newsgroup.

-Peter De Smidt<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 240mm lenses 

Ron Gans wrote:
 > Interesting suggestion. I've spoken to Ron many times. Why is this more
 > applicable to the field than the studio?
 >
Just because weight and size are more important (to me anyway) in the
field than in the studio.

I was a bit concerned that it would be difficult to focus at f/13 than at
f/5.6 or something; I have no trouble focusing them. But I think the
relatively long focal lengths affect this somehow as I have more trouble
focusing the S.A. 90mm f/8 than the Wisners.

--
.~. Jean-David Beyer Registered Linux User 85642.
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^^-^^ 13:40:00 up 26 days, 21:55, 3 users, load average: 4.24, 4.29, 4.28<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 240mm lenses 

In article <1108478173.295722.287450.RemoveThis@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
"Ron Gans" <xhosa2010.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote:

 >What are the good and bad
 > (if any) points?

You want 5.6 if you can afford it on 4x5.
I have an f/9 240m Fujinon and 9 is dim
for the 4x5,....not too bad on 8x10.

--
LF Website @ <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank" target="_blank">http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank</a>

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 240mm lenses 

Jean-David Beyer wrote:

  >>
 > Just because weight and size are more important (to me anyway) in the
 > field than in the studio.
 >
 > I was a bit concerned that it would be difficult to focus at f/13 than
 > at f/5.6 or something; I have no trouble focusing them. But I think the
 > relatively long focal lengths affect this somehow as I have more trouble
 > focusing the S.A. 90mm f/8 than the Wisners.
 >

How troublesome is using the vairous aperture scales? Do you use the
zero power corrector lens? How would you characterize the sets overall
performance?

-Peter<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 240mm lenses 

Gregory Blank wrote:

 >
 > You want 5.6 if you can afford it on 4x5.
 > I have an f/9 240m Fujinon and 9 is dim
 > for the 4x5,....not too bad on 8x10.
 >

That's a good reason to get a Maxwell focusing screen. Using one I have
no problem focusing an F18 Protar!

I've also heard good things about the much cheaper SatinSnow ground
glass, but I have no personal experience.

-Peter<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 240mm lenses 

Peter De Smidt wrote:
 > Jean-David Beyer wrote:
 >
   >>>
  >> Just because weight and size are more important (to me anyway) in the
  >> field than in the studio.
  >>
  >> I was a bit concerned that it would be difficult to focus at f/13 than
  >> at f/5.6 or something; I have no trouble focusing them. But I think
  >> the relatively long focal lengths affect this somehow as I have more
  >> trouble focusing the S.A. 90mm f/8 than the Wisners.
  >>
 >
 > How troublesome is using the vairous aperture scales?

There is only one aperture scale, in millimeters. The box has an engraved
brass plate on the top that, for each (combined) focal length, gives you
the aperture in millimeters you need to get the f/ number you want.

 > Do you use the
 > zero power corrector lens?

No. I ordered it years ago, but Ron has not yet supplied it. Schneider was
going to make it for him, but did not, so he had to hunt up another
company to grind the glass, and it took a while. He found one (in
Rochester, IIRC) a couple of years ago, but I still do not have one.

 > How would you characterize the sets overall
 > performance?
 >
Perfect. But I did not do any optical bench testing. I just look at my
prints. I have never enlarged beyone 11x14 inches from 4x5 inch negatives,
and I do not crop much. I do have an enlarging lens and easel to make
16x20 inch (almost) prints, but I have never done it.

--
.~. Jean-David Beyer Registered Linux User 85642.
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 >> Stay informed about: 240mm lenses 

In article <4212496e$1_1@newspeer2.tds.net>,
Peter De Smidt <pdesmidt*no*spam*@tds.*net*> wrote:

 > That's a good reason to get a Maxwell focusing screen. Using one I have
 > no problem focusing an F18 Protar!
 >
 > I've also heard good things about the much cheaper SatinSnow ground
 > glass, but I have no personal experience.
 >
 > -Peter

I have a Maxwell and like it

Just have not used the 240 with the 4x5 since obtaining it. I use wide
angle lenses a lot. 90 & 65.

I actually got the Maxwell to help me with the pathetic right angle
viewer I got from Calumet,....it seems to lose over a stop of light
because it has a mirror internal. I have thought about the straight
through viewer instead.

--
LF Website @ <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank" target="_blank">http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank</a>

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 240mm lenses 

Gregory Blank wrote:

 >
 > I actually got the Maxwell to help me with the pathetic right angle
 > viewer I got from Calumet,....it seems to lose over a stop of light
 > because it has a mirror internal. I have thought about the straight
 > through viewer instead.
 >

Does the viewer have a good quality first surface mirror? If not, could
you replace it with one?

-Peter<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 240mm lenses 

In article <421241d0$1_2@newspeer2.tds.net>,
Peter De Smidt <pdesmidt*no*spam*@tds.*net*> wrote:
 >
 >How troublesome is using the vairous aperture scales? Do you use the
 >zero power corrector lens? How would you characterize the sets overall
 >performance?

What zero power corrector lens? I was quite interested in this set
when it was first announced, but decided I'd wait for actual
availability of the corrector lens -- 10 years later, I still have
not heard of anyone actually receiving one. Did somethingt change
recently?

--
Thor Lancelot Simon tls.RemoveThis@rek.tjls.com

"The inconsistency is startling, though admittedly, if consistency is to be
abandoned or transcended, there is no problem." - Noam Chomsky<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 240mm lenses