Choice of first wide angle lens for LF

<p>I have a Rodenstock 135mm Sironar-N as my very first LF lens that I use on my Tachihara field camera and so far so good, I'm very happy with it. I would however like to think about adding a wide angle lens and I would appreciate some advice on which one to choose.<br>

For 35mm use, I love my Leica 21/2.8 for the sweeping vistas that it can yield and this makes me tend towards something like a 75mm for LF. The 90mm however seems to be something of a standard for wide angle LF. I recognize that these shorter focal lengths will also limit the degree of movement that I can take advantage of with my standard bellows, so I would love to hear what you guys think ...<br>

Is the 75mm too difficult a beast for a Tachihara with standard bellows? Should I stick with the 90mm?<br>

Should I be considering a recessed lens board for either a 75mm or 90mm lens?<br>

What are your favorites?<br>

I would like to find a lens that will become a real workhorse for me for wide-angle landscape photography.<br>

Thanks<br>

Gordon</p>

<p>Get a 90mm. If you can't find a 900mm f/4.5 Rodenstock Grandagon-N , a Caltar II 90mm f/4.5 (it is the same lens as the Grandagon); or the Nikon 90mm f/4.5, go for the Nikon 90mm f/8.</p>

<p>I use a tachihara camera with a 150 lens and a 90 lens. There is not much, but some, room for movement with the 90 lens. Works great.</p><div></div>

<p>Ditto Mr. Vener on the 90mm lens. (I have a Super-Angulon and an Ilex.) A recessed lens board may be a good idea to give you a bit more flexibility, but you may also need an "L-shaped cable release adapter" depending on your particular lens and particular recessed board. [[bTW, if you think the Leica 21mm gives you a "sweeping vista," see a 6X17 roll film camera with a 90mm Super-Angulon!!!]]</p>

<p>A 90 is probably the most usable for landscapes. I prefer the 75 because the wide angle effect is more interesting. I don't think you can use a 75 with the Tachihara.</p>

<p>Hum! I wonder what this would cost ?<br>

If you can't find a 900mm f/4.5 Rodenstock Grandagon-N</p>

<p>Unless you have "faux-panorama" in mind, the 90 is the workhorse. Since you'll be in the field doing landscape, keep the size and weight of the lens you choose in mind. There's a big range. The slower f8 lenses, like the Fujinon and the Nikon are definitely smaller. For landscape, you may well not really need the extra stop.</p>

<p>Don't forget the 80mm Super Symmar aspheric XL. They are great with 211mm image circle. Hard to beat.</p>

<p>90mm is an excellent choice for a wide angle. You can find 90mm f/8 Super Angulons at very good prices, and the Caltar W-II 90mm f/8 (a rebadged Super Angulon) for even less.</p>

<p>And yes, a Tachihara can handle a 75mm lens, however the bellows will be pretty well compressed and you won't be able to use much movement without a recessed board.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the great advice! I will search for a nice, gently used 90mm.<br /> Gordon</p>

 

<p>I vote for a 75 mm I also had as my first lens a 135mm for 3-4 years only my second was the f 4,5 75mm Nikkor and still use it more then my later 90mm but I also use the 47 mm more then the 90mm.<br>

If the camera can handle the 75mm then I would take it!!!</p>

<p>Cheers Armin</p>

<p>I vote for a 75 mm I also had as my first lens a 135mm for 3-4 years only my second was the f 4,5 75mm Nikkor and still use it more then my later 90mm but I also use the 47 mm more then the 90mm.<br>

If the camera can handle the 75mm then I would take it!!!</p>

<p>Cheers Armin</p>