Do any of You LF landscape use just two lenses?

4x5 90mm 135mm 203mm

8x10 210mm 240mm 305mm

Good luck, LF is GREAT!

Just to present a different point of view...

 

For me, it very much depends on the type of landscape. In open flat landscapes I use mainly long tele (600mm) or strong wide angle (65mm), in narrow mountain areas moderately long (300mm to 600mm) or moderate wide angle (110mm). While in more "moderate" areas I could probably live with just one lens (300mm), I take some of the other lenses with me, just in case. In some cases I will also use more extreme lenses like 47mm or 1200mm.

 

Of course the numbers above are just some kind of personal statistics and vary depending on the individual location. The less I know what to expect, the more lenses I will take with me. I'm not the one-size-fits-all guy and like to choose my tools depending on the purpose. Ah, and I sometimes like to project my slides, too, so I tend to avoid pictures which require cropping later...

 

When you need 2 minutes or more to set up the camera anyway, whats the matter with a few seconds to change the lens? Worried about the weight? Buy a *good* backpack... Cost? Compare it to the cost of film and development and the lenses are not so expensive any more...

 

All the focal lengths above are related to 4x5, by the way.

It depends on the landscape. If you're into mountains, a longer lens is useful to convey the drama of the scenery. A 110 and 300 would be a good choice here. For coastal stuff or where a more wideangle approach is appropriate, 90 or 110 and 210.

I have 2 lenses for the 4x5. The 135 gets used 90% of the time. The 254 gets the other 10%. Just happen to be selling both to fund an 8x10 purchase.

I use just one lens; a 127mm Ysaron. This is due to budget. If I had unlimited funds I would only have two lenses and two cameras. I would have a modern sharp 120mm and a 240mm that would cover 8X10 as well. Since I live in a really world my next lens will likely be a 210mm f/6.3 Calter. A 240mm is out of my price range and a 210mm is close enough to get the shots I want (I likely will never get around to buying an 8X10 camera anyway).

No one has addressed the issue of 'simpler' yet, so I will jump in. The only 'simple' number of lenses is one, and don't ever change, just leave it on. One less thing to haul around and deal with. If you are going to carry more than one, two is no more simple then twelve; you put 'em on and take 'em off one at a time in either case. More important are issues of weight, bulk, and cost. I can fit my 4x5 in a shoulder bag with two lenses easily, or in a backpack with four lenses easily.

 

But to continue the survey, for 4x5 I have 65, 110, 180, 240, and 400t. I can't remember the last time I used the 180 or the 240; the others I use about equally.

 

CXC

Although I use other lenses, I tend to always pack just the 65 and 110.

Ya mean ya can put more than one lens on these things?

 

Seriously, I only use a 150/6.3 Fujinon on my Speed Graphic. Of course, my photography is boring, so that's not a problem. Some day I'll get a 240 or a 300, and maybe a SA 90. It's not in the budget and I don't feel too constrained with the choice, or lack of, that I have.

 

If I get really challanged, I'll break out my 3x4 SG which I have a 100mm or brass lens that gives me wonderful dreamy pictures (i.e. really soft), a 127 Ektar that's very sharp, and a 150/5.6 Schneider which translates up into about 180 in 4x5 terms. This hasn't happened yet.

 

tim in san jose

One answer more: I have "all" lenses from 75 to 420mm. Most of my landscape shots are taken with a 110XL. Some of then with a 210 Apo-sironar. The third used is a 75 Grandagon. I never use the 150. When I want to go lighter, without a planned shot, I take the 110-210 combo.

Buy a good used convertable (classic, protar or symmar maybe) and sell it at a profit later (years later) when you have learned what you like. You may never want to let it go, in which case you have reached perfection on your first attempt.

 

Cheers,

For landscapes and exteriors I use a Schineder Super Symmar XL 110mm/5.6, and a

Rodenstock APO-Sironar-S 180mm/5.6.

 

The Super Symmar XL is the sharpest lens I've ever seen.

 

Best of luck and have fun.

I have only been dabbling in LF for about 4 or 5 months. I am shooting landscapes and have 2 lenses: 90 & 150. So far I have not encountered a situation where I was dying for another focal length lens (and I do have a full assortment of lenses for my 35mm camera).