Rodenstock f8 90mm Geronar

Anyone familiar with the quality and features of this lens? I have

checked various web sites available by Google and relatively little

reported. What else might be available for small and modern 90mm for

4x5?

<p>It's a 4 element/ 4 group design with a coverage of 170mm that is identical to the Calumet f8 90mm HR.</p>

 

<p>The bottom portion of this thread has quite a bit of info on this lens:</p>

 

<p><a href="http://largeformatphotography.info/lfforum/topic/497357.html">http://largeformatphotography.info/lfforum/topic/497357.html</a></p>

 

<p><i>A long portion of the other thread has been removed from here by a moderator (MSB) as excessive copying.</i></p>

I just looking over that previous thread just now and realized you were already aware of the largeformat.com forum thread since you were part of the discussion. What other info were you looking? There was more info given on this lens in that discussion than there would typical be- even some obscure facts. The lens is what it is- a 4/4 design which good sharpness, but minimal coverage for 4x5. It's coverage and modern multicoating probably make it a superior choice to a 6.8 90mm Angulon for lightweight backpacking, but generally inferior to most 6/4 f8 90mm based on the Super Angulon design and the 6.8 90mm Grandagon. The Geronar name generally indicates that it's a budget lens- but they do provide good value and if you can live with the coverage I wouldn't hesitate to buy one- for about $200.

I have the Rodenstock lens data brochure from about 1984, if there's any specific question you want answered.

<p>

More recent (90s) Rodenstock data are <A HREF="http://www.butzi.net/rodenstock/rodenstock.htm">available</A> on the excellent Paul Butzi website, but that doesn't include data for the Geronars.

<p>

FWIW, the 150/210 Caltars marketed by Calumet in the 1980s were rebadged Geronars, but I can't remember if there was a 90.

<p>The standard coverage Geronars are still also sold under the Caltar label, as the Caltar II-E. The versions available as Geronar or Caltar II-E are 150 mm f6.3 and 210 mm f6.8. There are triplets of standard coverage rather than the wide coverage of the 90 mm f8 that Kevin asked about.</p>

 

<p>Here's a previous thread on the 90 mm Geronar-WA: <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=004Po6">http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=004Po6</a>. It is no longer in production and Bob Salomon reminds us not to forget the "WA".</p>