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Hi, I got an Ebony 45su and Schnieder 90mm XL (5.6), but the rear element won’t fit through the throat of the Ebony, I have taken the ground glass of and managed to get it to fit that way, but daren’t use it, just in case. Has anyone else experienced this problem and is there a solution? I did find an article about this on the Ebony site, but it really doesn’t help with the predicament!

http://www.ebonycamera.com/articles/FAQ.html

Thanks Nat

This is where I get shot at!

I did not buy an Ebony simply because it uses the small Linhof panel. I contacted Ebony to see if they would make a 'special' for me with the larger Toyo panel fit. Nobody at Ebony bothered to reply, even though they advertise they will make specials.

So I bought a Toyo.

Linhof & Studio had contact with a local engineering shop that would make a thin rear element ring for the 90XL, which I am told would fit through the Linhof panel? On all but the early 90XL's, the rear element outer ring can be removed. It does leave the rear element exposed to damage.

Barry

Hi Nat. Unfortunately this lens is too big for many cameras using Linhof/Wista panels
The later 90XL has a screw-on rear guard that can be unscrewed thus allowing the rear element group to pass through the throat of the front standard. This is only part of the problem though - once fitted the size of the rear lens group is such that it can hinder bellows movement and can cause vignetting with tapered bellows when movements are applied to the camera. My advice would be to look for another 90mm - the 90XL holds its value so (hopefully) you shouldn't lose too much (unless you paid top price for a new one?).
Good luck with your predicament.

The alternative is to focus it initially near the GG and then focus outwards. For those of us who are interested in microscopy this is necessity when using expensive or rare objectives at the higher magnifications, especially immersion lenses. I use a pre WW2 microscope stand and most of my objectives are either Cooke or Leitz. Once you get used to doing it regularly it becomes second nature.

Like Paul I'd also suggest trading the lens for a different 90mm. I have an early f5.6 90mm Super Angulon and an f6.8 0mm Grandagon both are superb lenses and I've never runout of movements with either.

Ian

I use the Schneider 90mm f6.8 Classic which, I'm reliably informed, is technically identical to the XL but without the extra half-stop (which, let's face it, few really need). It may not have the cachet of an XL lens but it will fit an Ebony with no problems at all.

joolsb wrote:I use the Schneider 90mm f6.8 Classic which, I'm reliably informed, is technically identical to the XL but without the extra half-stop (which, let's face it, few really need). It may not have the cachet of an XL lens but it will fit an Ebony with no problems at all.

I'm pretty sure that the 90mm 6.8 Classic is the same focal length as the XL but don't think it has the same coverage as the XL version. I used the Classic with a 6x17 film back and the images were somewhat soft at the edges between f16 and f32.
According to Schneider the 90XL has a 259mm image circle whereas the Classic is about 215mm.

I'd tend to agree with Paul. I think the classic uses the old 90mm design but with a new glass and the new coatings....

Marc

masch wrote:I'd tend to agree with Paul. I think the classic uses the old 90mm design but with a new glass and the new coatings....

Marc

You could be right. There must be a good reason why it's significantly cheaper. I haven't tried it with a 6x17 back but I've never had problems with image circle or anything else, for that matter, when using it on my 45SU....

Hi all thanks for the replies and advice. Now on the look out for 90mm classic, shame really as the reason I bought the ebony was for its wide range of usable focal lengths, the 72mm fitted, so presumed the 90mm would have (presumption ahh!! ). Will use the 90mm on the Sinar for the time being, as I don’t think it will go on the MPP either.

Thanks all.

Hi Nat. I would recommend looking for a NIkon 90mm f8 - plenty of coverage (easily covers 6x17/5x7), nice and lightweight with small filter size too!

PAUL O wrote:Hi Nat. I would recommend looking for a NIkon 90mm f8 - plenty of coverage (easily covers 6x17/5x7), nice and lightweight with small filter size too!

The Nikon 90mm/f4.5 is excellent too, just heavier, but as both have image circles the same size the slower lens is the cheaper option (unless you enjoy photographing in low light, like some of us)

Want to swap you 90 XL for my 90 SA? I'll not charge you anything

Thingy wrote:[The Nikon 90mm/f4.5 is excellent too, just heavier, but as both have image circles the same size the slower lens is the cheaper option (unless you enjoy photographing in low light, like some of us)

I've dallied with the f/8 idea - purchasing both the Fujinon SW and the Nikkor SW - just to save weight, but I never found the time when I'd leave the 90mm SW f/4.5 at home and take the f/8.

Nat wrote:Hi all thanks for the replies and advice. Now on the look out for 90mm classic, shame really as the reason I bought the ebony was for its wide range of usable focal lengths, the 72mm fitted, so presumed the 90mm would have (presumption ahh!! ). Will use the 90mm on the Sinar for the time being, as I don’t think it will go on the MPP either.

Thanks all.

Want to sell??? With the exchange rate I will have to pay over £4K for the Ebony 45SU, as against the £3K when I ordered it!!! That said I've just paid Teamwork £1K deposit