Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/07/12

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Large Format lenses
From: Johnny Deadman <john@pinkheadedbug.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 09:34:51 -0400

on 7/12/01 9:28 AM, Charles Harris at charles@charlesharris.com wrote:

> I've just purchased an old Linhof Technica V :). The included lenses are not
> to my liking. Can anybody recommend a brand or series of large format
> lenses. Those closest to the Leica look would be the most interesting. I'll
> probably get something in the range of 75-90, 115-150, and a 210-240.
> Fastest available f stop only. Thanks.

what lenses did you get with it?? maybe I can relieve of a couple :)

The place to look for new lenses is badger graphics.

    http://www.badgergraphic.com/

Their prices are insane. Brand new top-line German LF lenses are one of the
most astounding bargains in the photographic world right now. Here are some
example prices from today:

Schneider         Super Symmar XL 110mm/5.6         $1,195.00 
Schneider         Super-Angulon 65mm/5.6            $  950.00 
Schneider         Super-Angulon 90mm/8.0            $  810.00 
Schneider         Super-Angulon XL 58mm/5.6         $  895.00 
Schneider         Super-Angulon XL 72mm/5.6         $1,150.00 
Schneider         Super-Angulon XL 90mm/5.6         $1,195.00 

Rodenstock         APO-Grandagon 35mm/4.5         $980.00 
Rodenstock         APO-Grandagon 45mm/4.5         $875.00 
Rodenstock         APO-Grandagon 55mm/4.5         $895.00 
Rodenstock         APO-Sironar-N 100mm/5.6         $495.00 
Rodenstock         APO-Sironar-N 135mm/5.6         $545.00 
Rodenstock         APO-Sironar-N 150mm/5.6         $580.00 
Rodenstock         APO-Sironar-N 180mm/5.6         $720.00 
Rodenstock         APO-Sironar-N 210mm/5.6         $770.00 
Rodenstock         Grandagon-N 75mm/6.8         $785.00 
Rodenstock         Grandagon-N 90mm/4.5         $1,175.00 
Rodenstock         Grandagon-N 90mm/6.8         $825.00 

these are NUTS!! If you don't believe me, go check out the prices on ebay
for *used* versions fo the above.

The problem with FAST LF lenses is that they are ridiculously huge. The wide
XL super angulons for example are monsters. If you want to take the camera
into the field you need to consider this.

I for example use a old and no doubt very soft Schneider Xenar 135/4.7
precisely because it is so small and light. I'd love an XL but it would
probably break my camera.

However if I had to choose one set of lenses it would be the Schneiders,
though to be honest you are unlikely to see much difference between them and
the Rodenstocks.

You may also want to consider coverage, which is important with LF, and not
positively correlated to aperture. So it's a compromise.

Jim Brick has a *very* sensible approach which is that he chooses lenses
that take the same filter sizes.

- -- 
John Brownlow

http://www.pinkheadedbug.com

ICQ: 109343205

Replies: Reply from Mark Rabiner <mark@rabiner.cncoffice.com> (Re: [Leica] Large Format lenses)