john_mcdonald Posted June 2, 2002 Share Posted June 2, 2002 Is anyone familiar with this type of lens for use on 4x5? The one I am considering is from around '57. It is pretty small (49mm filter), coated, and covers 211mm at f16. So far it sounds good, but I read a comment in the archives about one owner who thought it a little soft. I have not been able to turn up much on this lens. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil_poulsen1 Posted June 2, 2002 Share Posted June 2, 2002 My advice is to purchase a 121mm Super Angulon before purchasing the 120mm Angulon. The 121mm is the single-coated version, when compared to the 120mm S.A. It costs maybe about $200 more than the Angulon, since they typically go for about $550 on EBay. But, you get a much better lens, with extreme movements for 4x5. <p> I had the Angulon and upgraded to the 121mm. I would never go back, nor do I see much need to upgrade to a multi-coated lens. (But, I'm not a professional photographer, either.) The Angulon isn't as sharp as the S.A., and it had a tendency to distort the image near the edges, if you used the limited movements of which it was capable. <p> I would add that my Angulon was in very good shape cosmetically, but developed a fungus between the glass elements. They are old lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arne_croell Posted June 2, 2002 Share Posted June 2, 2002 I owned one for a while, actually a Linhof-branded version, so it was supposedly a better example of the type. Very small and lightweight. The quality was ok without movements, but when you used those 211mm of image circle, it was rather soft in the edges. Also, if I recall it right, the smallest opening was f/32, and since you needed f/22 with movements to get acceptable sharpness, it was only a 1 f-stop range in reality. The circle of illumination is actually larger than 211mm. Another alternative, definitely less bulky than the Super-A., is the now discontinued Super-SymmarHM 120mm from Schneider. Quite sharp, and less weight than its succesor, the 110mm XL, although a little longer. It has about the same image circle as the old Angulon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_atherton2 Posted June 2, 2002 Share Posted June 2, 2002 There's a 121 Super Angulon for sale the Midwest Photo for $499 - it's in Compur shutter - and have no idea about the versions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason_greenberg_motamedi Posted June 2, 2002 Share Posted June 2, 2002 John, <p> The 120mm Angulon covers 5x7 film with only a wee bit of movement, so they have quite acceptable movements for a 4x5. Angulons are all single coated. I purchased one about 9 months ago. I found my particular lens (1951) to have decent resolution (55@ f/11, 55@ f/16, 45@ f/22 measured at center). I found the quality of this lens acceptable for most of my B&W work, it is a bit less sharp and constrasty than my 4 3/8" WA Dagor, but also much cheaper. If you are looking for a cheap medium wide for a 4x5 I think this lens fits the bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason_greenberg_motamedi Posted June 2, 2002 Share Posted June 2, 2002 I would also like to point out that the Angulon is MUCH smaller and lighter than the S. Angulon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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