120mm lenses for 4x5

[hyperfocal]

It seems that often a 110XL is a bit too wide, while a 135mm is usually not wide enough, thus a 120mm seems just about right. Trouble is, I don't see any relatively small F5.6 120s with decent coverage. Schneider used to make a 120 super symmar HM but I think it's discountinued. This leaves the Schneider apo symmar, and the Fuji 125, with it's 204mm coverage.

 

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Anybody have an idea on what the 120 apo symmar covers and opinions on this lens? Ditto the Fuji?

 

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THX

 

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Hyperfocal

[glenn_kroeger]

Hyper:

 

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I have used the 120 Apo-Symmar on 4x5. Schneider gives the image

circle as 179mm, but that's conservative, I would guess it is closer

to 190mm, but that may also be sample dependent. The Fuji 125mm has a

204mm image circle, not quite the 211 of the Apo-Symmar HM, but still

larger than the Apo-Symmar. Given the sharpness of the 110mm XL, and

assuming the issue isn't cost or weight, just crop off some!

[kcrisp]

Hyper: I'd agree the image circle published numbers on the 120 mm

Schneider APO are conservative. At least for landscapes, I've never

run out of room on a Zone VI camera with it and it's performance is

excellent.

[chuck_pere]

I see that Wisner is offering a 120mm Wide Field Gauss lens. Looks

like it is being sold only as part of the 4x5 Flight camera package.

Has anyone here used this lens? Could it be a Wisner selected 120

Congo? Could be a nice compact 4x5 120mm if it performs OK and they

begin to offer it separately.

[david_rose3]

I use the Fuji 125mm on my Sinar for architectural work and a 120mm

f6.3 Osaka (Congo)for my Wista SP field kit. Both are sharp and

small. The image circle of the Osaka is listed as 220mm. One thing to

bear in mind about image circles is that they are given at infinity.

You will almost always focus short of infinity to maximize depth of

field, which will result in a larger image circle. I think the 120mm

super symmar is probably the sharpest of all of these lenses- sorry

to hear that it may be discontinued. You can find them on Ebay

occasionally.

[jim_galli4]

I'm an admitted lens junkie and I still can't believe anybody could

justify a 10mm spread. Tell me again you're going to look through the

110 (wish I had one) and say to yourself Hmm it's a bit too wide.

Think I'll put the 120 on and have a look.

[neil_poulsen1]

Of course, there's the venerable 120mm f6.8 Schneider Angulon. I had

one of these lenses, and it seemed kind of soft to me.

 

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The Wisner sounds very interesting; I've seen this lens on his

webpage. As a double-gause, it should be very sharp. One fault of

the double-gauss is that the 8 air to glass surfaces can lead to

flare. However, if this lens is multicoated, that may help to control

light.

 

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While a little large, I have a 121mm Super Angulon that I like. You

can find them on EBay occasionally, and they can be pretty reasonable

in prices.

[chris_engholm]

I just bought a like-new 120mm Schneider Super-Symmar 5.6 off eBay

for $450, after having the same complaints that you did. When

reading McGrath's book on architectural photography, I became

convinced 120mm was the answer. And it is. The lens is about 3"

long and 2" wide, with a 67mm filter mount. It came with a Copal No.

0 shutter. With this one and a 90mm, most building shots are

covered. I'd wait for this one to come up again.

 

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Chris