andre_noble4 Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 This question has not been asked in the archives, so here goes: <p> I am considering getting one of these two ultra wide lenses in next few months to augment the charming Nikkor 90 (which many times is not wide enough for the shot)for full 4x5 frame coverage. <p> Anyone have experience of their own choosing between these two, and if so, which one did you get, the Schneider or the Rodenstock, and what was your reasoning? <p> Word is, optically the Rodenstock is excellent. Any other tid-bits? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_owen Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 Andre, As you know from a previous posting I too am looking for a wide angle, so I've been doing plenty of research!! The 55 Rodenstock seems to be VERY good, only problem I've come across is a posting where the flimsy rodenstock lens caps have rubbed on the rear element and marked the glass!! A replacement cap would solve this!! It also appears that a centre filter is essential too (extra cost). FRom all reports the 55 vs the 58XL seems to be an even match!! This narrows the choice down between both lenses to something as simple as brand loyalty!! Just some thoughts!! Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_salomon Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 "only problem I've come across is a posting where the flimsy rodenstock lens caps have rubbed on the rear element and marked the glass!!" <p> That is the only time we heard of it also and we are the distributor. <p> The person who psted that comment, I believe, had purchased a used lens and this comment may have no bearing on a new one. To date no one who has bought a new lens in the past 12 years has reported this to us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_owen Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 Yeh, but it's still worrying all the same!! I only mentioned this "problem" as it's the only negative point I've come across for this lens!! Lighten up Bob!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_nowaczynski2 Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 For the record let me state that the three wonderful Rodenstock lenses (90mm f4.5 Grandagon, 135mm f5.6 Sironar-S, 210mm Sironar-S) that I bought new last year came with flimsy, thin, and inadequate lens caps stamped with the word Rodenstock on them. <p> From this forum I learned of the existence of machined delrin lens caps made by S.K. Grimes, and I have now replaced all my lens caps with these very substantive improvements. These lenses deserve to be better protected and now Rodenstock's 'oversight' has been corrected. <p> The issue of flimsy lens caps has surfaced before on this forum, as has the elegant solution provided by S.K. Grimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_nowaczynski2 Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 For full details see: <p> www.skgrimes.com/caps/index.htm <p> These are the Linhofs of lens caps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_johnston2 Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 I don't think that Bob said anything out of line. He was only stating that in the past 12 years there was only one comnplaint, and that complaint may not have been based upon a manufacturer's supplied lens cap. <p> I think that Paul needs not to be so defensive. <p> Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_salomon Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 No Paul. <p> You relax. " but it's still worrying all the same!!" <p> It simply has not, is not and will not be an issue. <p> If you truly want to end all worries buy a set of custom Novoflex metal caps. but you would be the first to do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_kolosky Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 Andre <p> There is one plain and simple answer to your question. Ask each distriutor to suggest a stocking dealer near you who has a demo lens of the type you are condisering buying. Really no different that asking for a test drive when you go to buy a new car. If they won't allow you to test the lens you are considering buying, run from that place as fast as you can. But don't rely on someone telling you something might be good when you are buying a new lens. Test the one you want to buy and make sure that if it is no good you can take it back. I am sure that the Rodenstock people and the Schneider people want to know when they have a lemon out there and I am sure they would be willing to take it back if it proves to be so. Right Bob? <p> Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_salomon Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 All lenses supplied by us are warrantied to perform to their specifications. If not thet are reaired or replaced per warranty. <p> However very few retailers will make new lenses used by renting their new stock. So the specific lens a dealer rents isn't always a new boxed unit. It is a lens in their rental stock. <p> Virtually all dealers dealing in pro equipment rent so there is no problem finding one. Just there may not be one near where he lives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn_kroeger Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 Andre: <p> Photomark in Phoenix has (had) a 55mm Apo-Grandagon in their rental fleet. <p> I rented it twice, then bought one based on excellent results. <p> Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audidudi Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 I have likewise rented Photomark's 55mm Grandagon and found it to be a superb lens ... haven't yet purchased one, though, as the money always seems to find another outlet besides photography. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trevor_crone Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 Andre, I cannot speak from experience with regards to the 58XL from Schnieder but I have been using Rodenstock's 55 Apo Grandagon for sometime. Initially on 6x9cm and more recently on 5x4. Unfortunately it provides little room for lens shift on this format but its such a sharp lens right to the edge even on 5x4. <p> This is purely subjective but I find that a lot of my images taken with this lens seem to have an almost fluidness about them, a kind of 3D feel. Imotive I know but it's something I cannot fully explain. <p> Good luck with your choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armin_seeholzer Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 Hi Andre <p> I would take the Rodenstock because of 3mm more wideangel and change the lense caps with others, because I`m the man with the damaged lens from the bad caps and the Rodenstock team maked me a new lenscaoting or a new glass on the back element in warranty but the cost of the shippment and the 3 weeks without lens was my problem! But they think now about there lens caps! <p> Hope they think in the right way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andre_noble4 Posted January 1, 2002 Author Share Posted January 1, 2002 Thank you all for the input. My intuition was telling me to consider the Rodenstock Grangagon 55mm, and based on your threads I'll take that hunch and go with it, (albeit possibly considering custom made lens caps from Grimes as a required accessory). I hope its not TOO wide for my TOYO Field 45AII, which is supposed to have the Schneider 58XL as the widest limit of usable lenses. <p> Aside: I'm too impulsive to test rental lenses as was suggested, but I know some of you aren't so thank you for the fruits of your labor. When time comes, hopefully in next year, I'll order the 55mm from RW, and keep it if it meets performance expectations. I'm looking forward to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmin-99 Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 "If you truly want to end all worries buy a set of custom Novoflex metal caps. but you would be the first to do so." <p> If this is true Bob I'd like to meet the Dunderhead at Novoflex who insists on marketing lenscaps that no one has ever purchased! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmin-99 Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 Andre be advised that if you buy from Robert White you will not receive the wonderful Lifetime Warranty on the Rodenstock lens that is only available from Rodenstock's Autorized Distributor in the U.S.A., yadda yadda yadda... oh nevermind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_salomon Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 "marketing lenscaps that no one has ever purchased" <p> Sorry Wayne. <p> they are made from aluminum,on a custom order basis, for very long Canon and Nikon lenses . <p> Since I forgot you were here I should have added, never ordered one for large format lenses. <p> But if you wish they can. Rather expensive though for a non-existant problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_owen Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 Bob, a rare NOT non existent problem, surely?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_salomon Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 "a rare NOT non existent problem" <p> No.Non-existant. <p> In 12 years distributing Rodenstock1000's of new lenses.Not one lens reported to us with this problem. <p> Again. <p> The person with this problem had purchased a lens that was NOT new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upscan Posted January 1, 2002 Share Posted January 1, 2002 In marketing, perception is reality, yes Bob. You have heard from others now read my comment. The dammed Rodenstock caps are flimsy, cheaply made. My cap for a 60mm ID fitting weighs exactly 4.70 grams. Adding another 2.5 grams of plastic would make the cap's convex surface much more sturdy. The extra cost of another 3 grams of plastic at about $2.00 per pound for the resin would add to 1.3 cents additional material cost per cap. Even at the generous mark ups of this industry, that would probably translate to 8 cents more per cap/lens. OK, Bob, tell Rodenstock marketers to make a decent cap, and add the 8 cents to the selling price of each lens and stop making a reputable optical manufacturer look cheap and greedy. You can help the manufacturer better by listening to customers instead of whitewashing their mistakes. For your info, a Schneider 58mm ID lens cap weighs 7.06 grams and is much sturdier. You do not have to rely on Novoflex specially ordered caps, get Schneiders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andre_noble4 Posted January 1, 2002 Author Share Posted January 1, 2002 The stiff corner of a field camera lens board and the front element of an adjacentlens are not a good combination when a flimsy lens cap is in place. The Nikon LF lens caps are adequate for their protection. The Japanese engineers pay attention to little, but vital details like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_salomon Posted January 2, 2002 Share Posted January 2, 2002 :You can help the manufacturer better by listening to customers instead of whitewashing their mistakes.: <p> Listen to whom if no one compalins to us? <p> We always pass on comments from dealers and users where there are problems. <p> So far, 12 years, no connsumer, no dealer, has had a complaint about the caps or had a problem caused by the caps. <p> Now because the factory has agreed to make good on one consumer's complaint that a USED lens had a problem they should change everything? <p> Again, 12 years. 1000's of lenses. Noone has reported a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armin_seeholzer Posted January 2, 2002 Share Posted January 2, 2002 Happy dreaming Bob for the new year! <p> I had a damage of a back element and Kerry had also some troubles with his front element as I remember and many of the Rodenstock buyers get other lens caps when the lens is new or they put always a filter on the lens but for Bob there is not any problem with the caps!!! But Steve Grimes is happy he can sell some caps and I use a Nikon cap on my Rodenstock 55 mm Apo Grandagon. Anyway a good and healthy and happy New Year to all of you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_salomon Posted January 2, 2002 Share Posted January 2, 2002 "I had a damage of a back element and Kerry had also some troubles with his front element" <p> Then it is strange neither of you contacted us directly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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