Ongoing 8x10 wide angle quest..

[buze]

At the moment my only lens on 8x10 is the 300mm f5.6 Sinaron S. I've been lurking for a second hand wider lens for some time now!

I bought a 1930sh Dagor 210mm f6.8, unfortunately the dial-set Compur died on me (anyone had a similar shutter handy ?)

But last week, I splashed out on 3 (!) modern lens, to try, compare, resell...
+ 240mm f5.6 Sinaron S, Copal 3
+ 240mm f5.6 Symmar-S, Copal 3
+ 210mm f6.3 Computar Symmetrigon, Copal 1

From what I understand the 240mm will be equivalent, and big; but will have heaps of coverage compared to the 210mm; however the 210mm will gain by being a LOT smaller, and wider.

What would you guys pick ? Anyone tried these two 240mm together and found a winner ? My gut feeling is against Schneider somehow, I've seen a lot of lens with moderate to massive glass problems from Schneider...

[IanG]

I've used a 240mm Symmar, superb lenses, the Sinaron should be equally as good, I assumme its a rebadged Sironar. In fact I have a 240mm Symmar somewhere but I've not seen it for years.

The 210mm f6.3 Computar Symmetrigon will probably only just cover 10x8, but don't expect to much from it, it's the f9 210 Computar that people rave about.

Ian

[buze]

After some consideration, I went for the Sinaron/Sironar 240mm. It's a bit smaller than the 300mm, and I must say I hit the ground running with it, the field of view is so natural! 240mm is just perfect ! Enough 'wide' to be wide, but no 'stretch marks' and I hate those

Also that lens has infini-coverage, as far as the Tachi is concerned. I just had a shoot with a few situation where I put myself into a position needing extensive movements and the coverage was there, and the sharpness too.

I tried the 210mm, and I run out of coverage (wide open) almost immediately... while the Schneider is about 15% bigger than the Rodenstock for the same focale/speed -- and it's 'mint' so I feel a bit more comfy around the 'slighly used' Sinaron

Here is a quick scan (on the glass, in the sleeve!). the neg was developed 12+6 in Barry Thornston 2 bath so the range of tone is amazing (way beyond this jpeg). I used quite a bit of back tilt here, and quite a bit of 'down shift'..

[IanG]

I really must find my 240mm Symmar, as you've found it's great wide angle for a 10x8 camera, I only ever used mine for 5x4 copy work (commercial), and it's probably boxed away somewhere.

But now I shoot 10x8 it would be really useful . . . . .

Ian

[keeds]

I have a 240 G-Claron which is nice to use. For really wide I also have a 120 that covers 8x10......

[Ole Tjugen]

Let's see...

At present I use a 121mm f:8 Super Angulon (doesn't cover 8x10", but just covers 18x24cm), a 165mm f:6.8 Angulon (covers), a 210mm f:6.8 Angulon (covers with lots and lots to spare), 210mm, 240mm, 300mm and 360mm f:5.6 Symmars, 210mm f:9 G-Claron, 240mm f:9 Germinar-W and an ancient 150mm f:12 wide angle Aplanat. No shutter on the last one, but it's mostly used at f:64, so it isn't really that necessary.

The Germinar-W is a great little lens, and the Symmars are so much brighter. And then the 210mm Angulon with its 500mm of image circle...

I think I'll keep them all.