Lens choice

[Chris Jameson]

I'm looking to buy my first lens, used primarily for landscape work.
I understand that 90mm is a good starting point, and having used one I find that focal length quite suitable.

However, what of the choice of available 90mm lenses?
I understand the issues regarding image circle, and the fact that lense with a large max apperture will provide a large image circle, and will project a brighter image onto the screen when composing.
An article I read suggested that landscape workers working outside will be able to get by with a F8 lens, as there is usually a high level of available light so the slightly dimmer image when compared to a F6.8 lens wouldn't be a problem.
That's fair enough, but a lot of my time is spent early morning or early evening when light levels are low.
Would I be able to see to compose a shot with a F8 lens, prior to the sunrise for example?

I ask as there is, obviously, quite a difference in the price of the lenses.
Looking at the second hand market (which I am) 90mm F8 lenses range from around £200 - £300 is good condition, while F4.5 / 5.6 and 6.8 lenses start at around £400.
While I would prefer to pay less, if it is worth parting with the additional cash now, rather than later, I would.

Any help appreciated.

[Keith Tapscott]

It all depends whether you prefer wide angle lenses for general use over so called `normal focal lengths` or slightly longer than normal focal lengths. As a guide, consider which lens you preferred to use in the 35mm format and multiply by 3 to get an approximation of which focal length suits your needs to get started. This is assuming that you are using 4x5, you can always add other focal lengths later.

[Keith Tapscott]

My 90mm is an f/8 Super-Angulon which provides a large enough circle for perspective control movements, but is a bit dim when focusing. If you can afford one with a larger maximum f/stop, go and buy one and you probably wont regret it.

[sandeha]

I've seen a number of good 90mm Angulon 6.8 lenses go on eBay for much less than £150. My own cost £70, early sixties, in rough cosmetic condition but with perfectly clean glass. Not a lot of movement available with this lens, but it's a great starter.

[Richard Kelham]

I don't know how far you intend to walk to carry out your landscape photography but bear in mind that the 'faster' a lens is, the heavier it is. The f4.5 90mm lens is a hefty brute, the f5.6 is not much better. As always it's a trade-off between weight/cost/convenience.


Richard

[Nigels]

My experience is that when I started in LF I got a Schneider 90/8 to go with my RSW but it didn't take long for me to realise it was too dark for me. This became more obvious when I got a 150/5.6. Robert White gave me a great exchange deal and I traded the 90/8 for the 80/4.5 XL - a fantastic lens which is smaller and lighter than the 90 and has a bigger image circle. I have now settled on the three lenses I have and see no reason to change them. So I would advise going for viewing brightness if you can. It will make the whole LF experince more pleasurable.

[Steve Bell]

I used to use a 90mm Super Angulon F8, bought a 90mm F6.8 and noticed very little difference in brightness. I suspect you need a much faster lens, bulkier and more expensive, to see a noticeable difference.

[SteveH]

Beware - some cameras will not take the 6.8 Super Angulon (e.g. MPP) because of the rear element diameter.

Steve

[Chris Jameson]

Thanks for the replies folks, it's given me a little more to think about.

As I'm likely to carry this stuff for fairly long distances I'm thinking that something in the middle ground may be what's required.
I've seen a Grandagon N 90 F6.8, and looking at the specs of this lens it offers a decent image circle, the weight it reasonable, price is reasonable too.

I can always change to something else at a later stage if I so desire.

Cheers.

[Apple]

Further to SteveH's answer, watch out on some cameras (e.g. MPP or similar baseboard designs that you can actually focus the lens at infinity without having it on the join between the rails of the body and the baseboard (i.e. the wrong place if you drop the baseboard for the extra angle of view) Some of the older cameras didn't really accommodate "wide-angle" lenses, certainly not as wide as is available now.

Dad has an MPP with an old 90/6.8 Angulon and it will focus at infinity but the bellows are jammed up so tight that there's little chance being able to set any movements (and as this lens only just covers, there's not a lot to play with anyway.)

This only applies to baseboard cameras so ignore if you're using a different design...

As the 90/6.8 Angulon (before the Super Angulons were thought of) only just covers the 5x4 format, it might not be the best lens to start with unless you're very strapped for cash - extreme movements are not "normally" required for landscape but you might be limited with one of these lenses...

[Chris Jameson]

Does anyone here have any experience of either the Rodenstock Grandagon N 90mm F6.8 or the Schneider Super Angulon (NOT the XL) 90mm F5.6.
The larger image circle and brighter image of the faster lens would appeal.

Money no object, which would be your choice?

[Tim Myers]

Money no object, which would be your choice?

Either the Nikkor-SW 90/4.5 or the Rodenstock Grandagon-N 90/4.5; the Grandagon is reputed to be slightly sharper, not that the Nikkor is a slacker in the sharpness department. The Grandagon-N is a monster of a lens though, a 90mm lens in a Copal 1 topping 700g; and whilst the Nikkor is no longer produced it sometimes crops up on Fleabay (I seem to remeber one over the weekend). Both have plenty of coverage (in the region of 235mm).

Personally I carry the Nikkor-SW 90mm.

[buze]

What about the Ektar Wide Field 100mm f6.3 ? it's a small lens, has more movement than most of the 'small' 90mm and is extremely sharp....

[Chris Jameson]

In the end I went with the Rodenstock 90mm F6.8 Grandagon N.
A combination of the size / weight of the lens, coverage, and the age of the lens made my choice for me.

Thanks for all the posts, much obliged.

[uraniumnitrate]

It’s not that easy to give any advice to anyone about lenses they should use. I think it’s a very personal thing but what I can do is to tell you what kind of lenses I use on my own 4x5 Linhof kardan. This is the camera I use for outside work for most of the time.
I have a Schneider Super Angulon 121mm f8 lens. It gives me a 100 degree and designed for 5x7 format! So; it’s never let you down when you need a lots of camera movement and you don't need any center filter either.
Than I have a Schneider Symmar which is a 300mm f5.6 vario because the back of this lens is a 500 f12mm element. I’m pretty satisfied with this set up, of course, non of these are designed for 4x5 cameras but slightly larger. give you a lots of space for movement!
Weight? I occasionally sitt down and take a rest somwhere for a little while and thinking when I got too tired, no rush in my case.

Sorry i didn't seen that you allready brought the lens. Well good luck to you and do some nice photographs with it!