Long lens - short bellows

[michael_mahoney1]

I'm looking for a longer lens, 360 - 500mm range that I could use with my existing 30cm 4X5 monorail. Am I correct that a telephoto design would allow for such a short bellows? Any particular lenses that someone could recommend? I'd be happy with a 180-190 or larger image circle, and compact size with low cost would be strong considerations also. Many thanks.

[jim_brick]

I have and really like the Nikkor T* ED 360/500/720mm lenses as well

as the separate 270mm lens. Up to 500mm works on a Linhof Master

Technika. The 720 easily works on my Technikardan 45S.

[ellis_vener_photography]

You might also want to consider getting someone like S.K.

Grimes to make you an extended lens board (it is the reverse of

a recessed board.

[scott_atkinson]

The two standard telephotos for the typical 12"/300mm field

camera are the Nikkor 360 and the Fujinon 400. Both focus at

infinity somewhere around the 10-1/2" range, allowing a little

play on your camera. (I don't have the exact specs here.) I've

used the Nikkor extensively on both a Wista VX and a Toyo 45AII.

The Nikkor becomes a 500mm--or even a 720mm--by screwing

on different rear components. However, neither one of these will

focus on your short bellows. (The 500mm needs about 14-1/2

inches, I think, the 720mm about 19 inches.) Both the Nikkor and

Fujinon are heavy, expensive lenses.

 

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Another option, as already noted, is an extension board for a

standard, non-telephoto 360mm. I use a Wista extension board

to mount a Fujinon 450mm on my present Linhof Master

Technika (it has 16"+ extension.) The Wista design is quite

nice; it's a set of threaded rings that can be screwed together to

provide up to 4" extra extension--though all that extension can be

a little unstable, depending on your camera. The Wista board

may not fit your camera, either. (I have seen some that fit Toyos.)

 

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Another, even simpler option? A non-telephoto 300mm lens, like

a Nikkor-M or Fujinon-C. Because some of these actually focus

at a little under 300mm, they might work on your camera, though

you won't have much close-focusing ability. There have been

numerous good posts on both these lenses--as well as other

300mms--on this forum. Good luck!

[scott_atkinson]

Whoops, I forgot. I think Schneider also has a new 400mm

"compact" tele that's supposed to be a bit smaller than the

others mentioned. I haven't seen one, but I'd imagine that it too

focuses at less than 12". (Otherwise, what's the point?) It should

be listed on the Schneider website.

[brian_ellis3]

I used the Fuji 400 T lens on a camera with a 13" bellows. It

actually is a fairly compact, light lens considering it's focal

length. It takes a Copal 1 shutter which cuts down a lot on the size

and weight compared with a Copal 3 shutter. Price varies with

exchange rates but I bought mine new from Midwest Photo Exchange for

about $1,100 as I recall. The Nikkor T is by all accounts an

excellent lens but the one I've seen was a lot larger and heavier

than the Fuji, though I'm not sure what the configuration was of the

one I saw.

[kerry_thalmann2]

Scott,

 

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The new 400mm Schneider APO Tele-Xenar Compact is smaller and lighter than the previous 400mm Schneider, it is still bigger and heavier than the 360mm Nikkor T-ED or the 400mm Fujinon T. This is due to the fact that it has a faster f5.6 maximum aperture and comes in a Copal #3 shutter.

 

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Here's a quick comparison on these three lenses (new prices from www.badgergraphic.com)

 

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360mm f8 Nikkor T-ED

Shutter - Copal #1

Weight - 800g

Filter Size - 67mm

Image Circle (f22) - 210mm

ftf for infinity focus - 261mm

Price - $1640

 

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400mm f8 Fujinon T

Shutter - Copal #1

Weight - 600g

Filter Size - 67mm

Image Circle (f22) - 220mm

ftf for infinity focus - 252.4mm

Price - $1095

 

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400mm f5.6 Schnedier APO Tele-Xenar Compact

Shutter - Copal #3

Weight - 916g

Filter Size - 82mm

Image Circle (f22) - 250mm

ftf for infinity focus - 285.1mm

Price - $1275

 

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Kerry