Nikkor-W 5.6/210

B&H is selling this lens for the price of a Rodenstock Sironar-N 5.6/150 so

I'm not sure of the one I should purchase as a beginner. Angle of view is not

significantly different but the image circle of the 210mm is quite larger.

Optical quality is excellent for both, I guess. However, Nikon stopped

production of large format lenses in 2006 and I've been unable to get the

information about the "new" Nikon lens age. What would you advise ?

http://www.hevanet.com/cperez/testing.html

Angle of view for two 210 mm lenses on 4x5 will always be the same; angle of view is simply determined by the focal length and the format size. (Also see http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00MnNf). But the 210 mm lens should have a significantly smaller angle of view than a 150 mm lens.

 

Comparing two lenses of the same focal length, coverage is more complicated, being determined by the optical design of a particular lens. Both the Nikkor-W and the Rodenstock Apo-Sironar-N are plasmat designs with approximately the same angular coverage. This will give longer focal lengths proportionality larger circles of coverage.

 

 

Fuji, Nikon, Rodenstock and Schneider all make excellent lenses. You won't go wrong with any of these lenses. I would choose mainly on the focal length. The 210 mm will give you a tighter view. It has more coverage, but the 150 mm will have enough for most people. It might be better to get the 150 mm since you can always crop slightly but you can't expand a film. Or you might think about what lenses you will eventually add to you set and how this lens will fit in. The lens that I use as my standard is 180 mm. I have never run out of coverage with a modern 180 mm plasmat used with 4x5. Others use 150 mm, others 210 mm. You will probably like whichever you pick.

Thank you both for your answers.

 

Is it true that Nikon large format lenses have always been multicoated ?

The Nikon LF lenses that were officially imported were multicoated. I have seen several older LF lenses on eBay that are very likely single coated, which I guess entered the US unofficially.

Buy used from Ebay, pick a lens in good condition from a reputable seller with good feedback. Choose any of the following 4 lenses:<P>

Nikkor W<br>

Fujinon W (writing on the outside of the lens barrel)<br>

Rodenstock Sironar/Sironar N/APO Sironar N/Caltar II-N (all basically the same lens)<br>

Schneider Symmar-S MC<P>

Any of these lenses will be a good starter lens in the 150mm, 180mm or 210mm focal length, and all should be able to be purchased for less than $300 in good condition, used. <p> There's no need to throw away money buying a new large format lens when there are so many good condition lenses on the used market.

Just a personal preference/idiosyncrasy: I pack with my camera a lot, and find the 210mm plasmats just a bit too bit for comfort. Not only are they heavy, they are big (the Nikkor W 210 takes a 67mm filter, the 150 a 52mm filter). For my purposes, a lightweight lens in the 200mm range is a lot better. I carry an old Ektar 203mm that I am quite happy with. G-Claron lenses and some others are also lightweight. If weight is an issue, check out the lightweight lens sections on the Large-Format Photography home page and Kerry Thalmann's website for more suggestions.

 

Best of luck,

 

Doremus Scudder

I haven't used very many other 210mm lenses, but I do own a 210mm Nikkor-W. It is an excellent lens.

 

I just picked up a 203mm Ektar for use with my Crown Graphic - it has a good reputation (I haven't used it yet). And it's small and light - f/7.7 is dimmer on ground glass, but not a concern for me as I'm using it with a rangefinder.

Patrick, I think the 210 is the ideal lens for a beginner. The magnification of the image on the groundglass is larger than with shorter lenses like the 150. That makes viewing and focusing easier, and, more importantly, speeds the learning curve. Yes, you will want a shorter lens as well. Let the shorter lens be the second lens purchased after you have had some experience with the 210.

 

Incidentally, after twenty five years, the 210 remains my favorite and most used lens. (The 135 is second.)

 

The Nikon W series are fine lenses.

 

Ken

Hi Patrick,

 

Test it immediately, there have been some quality inconsistancies.

 

They cover about 70 degrees, approximataely the same as Symmars, S Caltars, and Sironars.

 

Lynn