Optimum Aperture 210 Angulon

[billkantor]

<p>Just put my 210 Angulon to a field test with some real photos. I am very pleased with the results -- mostly shooting at f16.5 to 32. The lens appears to be quite sharp and versatile with plenty of coverage. I notice a little softness in the corners but that is to be expected. Can anyone tell me the optimum (sharpest) shooting aperture for this lens?</p>

[dave_s]

<p>Bill, as I recall, Angulons were designed to be used at small working apertures. I bet your tests will show the sweet spot is around f/22. Have a look and let us know. The Thalmann/Perez <a href="http://www.hevanet.com/cperez/testing.html">lens tests</a> indicate it's either f/16 or f/22 for a 90mm.</p>

<p>I should qualify this by adding that I haven't had an Angulon myself for about 20 years, and mine was the garden-variety 90.</p>

[nbg90455]

<p>The general rule of thumb I have heard is that the optimal f-stop (defined as the optimal trade-off between diffraction and refraction) is optained the following way:<br>

Close down normal lenses by 2 stops, and close down wide angle lenses 3 stops.<br>

Since your Angulon is a wide angle lens, stop it down 3 stops.</p>

[bob_salomon]

<p>Mike,</p>

<p>Most normal type lenses for a view camera hit optimal aperture at f 11 to 22, 16 to 32 or 22 to 45 depending on the focal length. That is more then 2 stops with a 5.6 lens.<br>

If you will use a modern wide angle lens and want to even out the hot spot with a center filter you will need to stop the lens down at least two stops before the center filter will work. Most LF wide angle lenses today are at optimal aperture at 16 to 22 or 22 to 32, depending on the lens, ultra wide angles from 35 to 45mm are at optimal aperture at 8 to 11.</p>

 

[billkantor]

<p>Bob,<br>

What can you say about the 210 Angulon (which I presume you would characterize as a modern lens)?<br>

Bill</p>

[bob_salomon]

<p>Bill,<br>

The Angulon is a very old lens, it was Schneider's first WA and was replaced around 1957 with the Super Angulon which covers a far larger circle then an Angulon and all modern WA are far better optically, be they Rodenstock, Schneider, Fuji or Nikon.</p>

[billkantor]

Hi Bob,

 

I meant what can you say about the optimum aperture for this very old lens?

 

I own a nice Grandagon 155 which I love becasue it's field of view fits my "seeing" well. As you point out it is optically

superior to an Angulon and I've been using the 155 for years but, as you know, the weight can be an issue. The 210 focal

length also fits my way of viewing the world. Wondering what the optimum aperture is.

 

Bill

[kelly_flanigan1]

<p>Bill there are also ancient Angulons too; before WW2 they are uncoated too. Here I have a 1930's 12cm F6.8; ie a 120mm. I have used a 21cm F6.8 Angulon too in barrel mount too ie a 210mm lens. There is also a 165mm F6.8 Angulon too.<br /> <br /> ****An unknown used old Angulon can be a fine old lens; or abit of a dog. The dogs probably have some Kilroy repairs; separated elements; dash of original build variation.<br /> <br /> A 210mm F6.8 Angulon is probaby the same lens design as a pre Ww2 21cm F6.8 angulon in shutter or barrel; thus an older lens design. The 1930's 12cm F6.8 angulon here is sharpest around F16 or F22; but it is a low contast image since it is uncoated and abit abused too.<br /> <br /> ****Since there is alot of variation in performance with of Angulons running a test of your own is warranted. A plane angulon if marked in cm can be almost 80 years old.<br /> <br /> Regular Angulons are small; Super Angulons have more coveragel and are a newer lens design,</p>

<p>Bill a bunch of folks on this thread have mentioned that our regular angulons are best at F16 to F22; now you should run your own tests!</p>

[kelly_flanigan1]

<p>Here is what a 12cm F6.8 Angulon; sub million serial # from 1935 looks like wide opan at F6.8; focus is on the squirel/bird feeders. Shot with a 35megapixels scan back; active scan area is sube 4x5" ie 7x10cm.<br>

<img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/ektar/cmF68/ThruWindowF68FULL.jpg?t=1254685454" alt="" width="640" height="444" /></p>

<p><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/ektar/cmF68/ThruWindowF68FERN.jpg?t=1254685713" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/ektar/cmF68/ThruWindowF68Balun.jpg?t=1254685829" alt="" /></p>

[kelly_flanigan1]

<p>Wide open; the uncoated; scratched 12cm Angulon @F6.8 from 1935 has a low contrast; but it is interesting that the cross pointed desk screw that holds the feeder is about resolved. The image has a funky look for anything that moves; since the scan time is long say 1/2 minute.</p>

[billkantor]

Thanks Kelley,

 

I'll try setting up my a digital back and running some tests of my own at different apertures.

 

Cheers,

Bill