Best 210mm lens for table top and landscape

[yaakov_asher_sinclair]

I'm thinking of buying a 210mm lens for table-top work that will double as a landscape lens when stopped down. I would be most grateful to hear opinions of the best choice. I currently have a 75mm Sinaron f4.5, Super Angulon XL 90mm,, Nikkor W 150mm and Nikkor M 300mm. Am I right in assuming that 210 is the next logical choice. I currently use the 150 for most table top work, but would like to have a lens designed specifically for close work ( with the bonus of being able to stop it down and use it for lanscapes etc.)

Many thanks in advance

[william_marderness1]

210mm G-claron.

[bob_salomon3]

For 1:5 to infinity the Rodenstock Apo Sironar S

[bruce_gavin]

I disagree with choosing the G-Claron. The MTF charts indicate rapid

image deterioration at 60% of the image circle. Contrast falls below

30% at working aperture (f/22) and is MUCH worse at larger

apertures. The G-Claron would be dead last behind the Sironars,

Symmars, or Nikkors in my opinion.

 

<p>

 

The MTF charts for the Apo Sironar-S lenses indicate significantly

superior performance, at both wider apertures and f/22.

 

<p>

 

If you can find one, a Red Dot Artar in 210mm is 4/4 (process)

configured lens I am aware of in this focal length. The RD Artar in

shutter is optimized for 1:20 to infinity. In barrel it is optimized

for 1:1 reproduction. Stopped down to f/22, process lenses perform

very well at infinity. The down side to the RD Artar is the

significantly reduced coverage.

 

<p>

 

If you've got the cash, go for the Apo Sironar-S. I did, and am

completely satisfied with mine. From there, the Nikkors and

Schneiders in plasmat (6/4) configuration will also perform very well.

[wilhelm]

With a 210mm lens used on table top you're gonna be stopped down so

far that it doesn't make any difference if you use a red dot Repro

Artar or a Coke bottle. Call back when you find something that none

of your present four great lenses can't do. Don't waste the money

unless you just covet another expensive shiny piece of eqipment to

play with.

[fred1]

I strongly disagree with Bill about the 210mm lens for tabletop. If

you are using movements for perspective control this lens is about as

good as you will get. The 150 is a bit short and the 300 is far too

long. I echo Bobs advice. FWIW (my 2cents worth)!

 

<p>

 

Fred

[c._w._dean]

Schneider must have failed to make my 210 G-Claron so lousy--it's

wonderful!!

[larry_huppert1]

Many would consider the 210mm as the standard lens for table top

work. I know one still life/product shooter who prefers a 180mm to

give a slightly wider sense to his work, and allow his work to feel a

little different from the others who use a 210mm.

 

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I'm not an optical physicist, but isn't it true that a shot taken

with different focal length lenses which have the same image size on

film will exhibit the same depth of field characteristics. Without

using movements, the only way to get more depth of field is to either

stop down more, or move further away from the subject. With table

top work, using movements is very common and necessary.

 

<p>

 

I've used a Rodenstock Sironar-S 210mm for table top and infinity,

and have liked my results. At infinity it's great, close up it's

very good.

[william_marderness1]

Don't know much about MTF's, but I like my G-claron, too.

[david4]

The G-Claron f9 210 mm has 1:1 image reproduction capability that the

Schneider f5.6 210-S lens lacks. Use the G-Claron with a 6 x 7 or 6 x

9 cm rollfilm back, and you need not concern yourself with any drop

off of contrast at the edges of the 4 x 5 groundglass view. The

G-Claron is more compact and lighter than the S-lens. The filter

diameter is smaller. With ambient light values of EV7 or more, there

is enough light to focus readily. With prints of 11 x 14 in. or less,

I bet you could not tell which image was taken with G-C

[ron_shaw]

You may also want to consider the 203mm/f7.7 Kodak Ektar. A

symetrical design, it can give 1:1 images without distortion, and

works great at infinity as well. A real classic.

[anthony_luke]

G-claron is an exceptional lens. Forget the tech b.s. The proof Is

in the neg. Quite often the techies spend more time reading

about and admiring their equipment than using it.

I no longer use my mint SCHNEIDER G-CLARON f9.0

( I shoot 2.25 mostly now) so I am looking for a good home for it.

If interested please e-mail or call me at my studio in Toronto

1-416-937-9076

[dan_smith]

If you think you might ever move up to 8x10 the Fuji 210W is worth

considering. It will cover the larger film size and works just fine

for the applications you specify.