Will any of these lenses cover 4x5?

I'm taking my first tentative steps into 4x5, having acquired a bargain priced Linhoff Color Kadan 45. I have on hand

the following lenses and am wondering which would give adequate coverage and still allow for tilt and shift. They are:

 

(1.) Super Horseman 90mm f5.6 Topcor,

(2.) Angulon (not super) 90mm f6.8,

(3.)Graflex Optar 135mm f4.7

 

At the moment I'm not worried about the obvious difference in focal length or, even image quality, just want a a good

lens to start with. Or, perhaps none are suitable and I should pop for something decent?

 

Thanks!

Linhoff is the name of a camera repair shop in Michigan. Linhof is the name of your camera. Color Kardan is the model of

your camera.

The Graflex Optar will certainly cover 4x5. I've used one for about 25 years on my Graflex Super graphic. I don't think you'll have much movement capability on your Color Kardan, but some.

(1) Super Horseman 90/5.6 will probably not cover 4 x 5. (I have a 1985 catalogue, and the 105, 120, and 150 'Super'

lenses are said to cover 4 x 5. The 65/7 Super Wide Angle and 90/5.6 Super Standard are not.)

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(2) Schneider's 90/6.8 Angulon <A

HREF="http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/vintage_lens_data/large_format_lenses/angulon/data/6,8-

90mm.html">just covers 4 x 5</a> at f/16 or smaller, without room for movements.

<p>

(3) The Optar is a tessar 4/3 design and will barely cover 4x5 without room for movements.

<p>

If you want to use movements, you can find a lot of information about lens coverage on photo.net. Alternatively there

is a review <A HREF="http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenses-primer/">here</A> on the Large Format site.

The "Angulon (not super) 90mm f6.8" should just barely cover 4x5 at infinity, although maybe you'll need to stop down a bit to avoid some vignetting. However, obviously, there will be no ability to use movements except at very close focus distances, and even then, they'll be limited.

 

I THINK the "Graflex Optar 135mm f4.7" is a Tessar-formula lens that, like the regular Angulon will just barely cover 4x5.

 

The search for decent, inexpensive, wide-angle lenses for a 4x5 is one of my quests. Alas, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that, at least if you want movements, you need a relatively modern Rodenstock, Nikon, or Fuji, or if you are willing to risk certain problems with older lenses, Schneider.

Here is a previous thread on the 90 mm Super Topcor: http://www.photo.net/large-format-photography-forum/003D5z. From that previous thread, it seems to have plenty of coverage for 4x5. I'd give it a try. There are many threads in the forum archives on the 90 mm Angulon -- try searching or browsing the categories "Lenses" and "Lenses: classic". Most find it to cover 4x5, but without much extra coverage for movements. That fits with the coverage figure that Schneider cites (http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/vintage_lens_data/large_format_lenses/angulon/data/6,8-90mm.html ): 154 mm. Here are some previous discussions of the 135 mm Optar: http://www.photo.net/large-format-photography-forum/00NzIq and http://www.photo.net/large-format-photography-forum/0039Wc

Thanks to all for the helpful answers. Looks like if I want to explore tilts and shifts I really need to look for another lens!

Something I don't see discussed much about the Angulon is that its coverage almost undoubtedly widens as you stop it down.

 

Additionally, if you focus it to the hyperfocal distance rather than infinity, you'll get a slight image circle advantage as well. Might be worth a shot.

 

I can't test out an Angulon for you at this moment, but I do recall that my first 90mm lens was of a similar formula -- a Wollensak WA Raptar. I could -- and did -- use it with a slight amount of front rise on occasion, and it served well.

 

If you really want good coverage on 4x5 on a budget, try one of the older Super Angulons or Caltars -- the older the better because they get cheaper as they age! They're coated, great image circle, and sharp as a tack.

 

I saw an old Caltar Ilex 90mm on the 'Bay recently and nobody was going for it. If I didn't already have one, I would have gone after it myself....

Though not offereing much if any movements, the 135 Optar can be a very good lens. Of classic tessar design, these are ussually a little soft wide open and get good and sharp as one stops down. The Wollensak Optars were not created equal. Some are a little softer wide open than others, but everyone I've used has been very sharp at small apertures. A little movement is possible with wide latitude B&W but have always shot straight on with color slide films.

The 90 Angulon 6.8 can be a really good lens. These have a reasonably fast 6.8 aperture for ease of focussing but were intended to be stopped down for coverage and sharpness across the film.

the expample I have is a good un. Much better lens than the Wollensak 90 WA Optar or Raptar.

Since you have them, you might as well try them out and see what you think personally.

I definately enjoy using my 135 Optars wide open for a softer feel and select DOF and stopped down for sharp work. All good. I have also caught a few nice landscapes with the 90 Angulon.