Looking to get into 4x5, found this kit... Is it worth it?

[sevo]

Originally Posted by Steve M.

Before I decided that I didn't like LF, I went for an outing w/ a friend that did. He had the latest and greatest Sinar w/ an expensive Nikon lens,

Brand perceptions don't translate that well across formats - for the less than thirty years they made LF lenses, Nikon were the lowest priced and least well regarded among the then existing major LF lens makers. Their lenses doubtlessly have a edge over the Ektar, as Nikon did not start into LF lenses until two decades after Kodak quit investing into LF lens R&D, so that they had far more modern formulas and coatings. But provided that your subject matter and camera movements can make do with the limitations (in coverage and speed) of a 1940's designed lens, a Ektar is hard to beat - there had been times when Kodak Ektar was (along with Zeiss) one of the top names in LF lenses.

[sevo]

Originally Posted by graywolf

Actually, the only things I have taken exception to in this thread is the idea that those old Schneider lenses are junk.

I never said so - I merely pointed out that their coverage is not up to modern expectations regarding large format lens performance, and that I'd expect more appropriate lenses given the mentioned price.

Besides, don't forget that the OP wanted the camera as a entry into LF. The lenses in the kit allow for something like one tenth of the movements taken as granted in every modern textbook on LF, and need workarounds not explained anywhere in print to reach even that - this will make it rather hard to learn LF on them.

What is more, the fact that the Angulon only reaches the edges at f/22 makes it practically impossible to learn tilt and swing through trial-and-error on the ground glass.

[Roger Hicks]

Originally Posted by graywolf

True to a certain extent. But in the middle of the night I thought of another reason that Schneider reduced the claimed angle of view to 80 degrees from the old 100. Color transparencies!

Oh, a question, how often have you used movements with the lens focused on infinity?

Dear Tom,

Para 1: Almost certainly spot on (as it were).

Para 2: Very seldom, but how else do lens manufacturers make a meaningful comparaison?

Cheers,

R.

[graywolf]

I thought I would post a follow up on how the 135mm Optar press camera lens worked out on the 45G. No vignetting to the limits of the standard bellows. Basically, I tested it with 35mm of rise & 10 mm of shift, and with 35mm drop & about 5 degrees of swing &, accidentally, about 5 degrees of rear tilt.

My blog post with images

http://graywolfphoto.com/journal/201...view-45g-test/

And a follow up post about the apparent softness of the cameras shot

http://graywolfphoto.com/journal/2012/05/18/soft-image/

Note this was with B&W film, I kind of figure that you could not go that far wih color film. But, I think that it also proves my point that most of the comments about these old lenses will not cover movements is based more on internet myth than on reality.

[DominikDUK]

The price is not too bad, for landscape or portrait photography you don't always need that much movement. A 150mm lens is fine for environmental portrait, but I advice you to get a 210mm lens which is pretty much the Standard 4x5 LF lens.

Dominik

[shadowfox]

Originally Posted by graywolf

I thought I would post a follow up on how the 135mm Optar press camera lens worked out on the 45G. No vignetting to the limits of the standard bellows. Basically, I tested it with 35mm of rise & 10 mm of shift, and with 35mm drop & about 5 degrees of swing &, accidentally, about 5 degrees of rear tilt.

My blog post with images

http://graywolfphoto.com/journal/201...view-45g-test/

And a follow up post about the apparent softness of the cameras shot

http://graywolfphoto.com/journal/2012/05/18/soft-image/

Note this was with B&W film, I kind of figure that you could not go that far wih color film. But, I think that it also proves my point that most of the comments about these old lenses will not cover movements is based more on internet myth than on reality.

Good job.
First time shooting 4x5 is not bad with those results.
Fun, isn't it?

[graywolf]

Originally Posted by shadowfox

Good job.
First time shooting 4x5 is not bad with those results.
Fun, isn't it?

Thanks for the praise, but it is not the first time. First working mono-rail camera I have had, but I have had a couple Graphics, and at one time a Super Technika. Those were just test shots to check out the new bellows I put on the camera, the repairs I made, and to see if the lens off the Crown Graphic would cover (It does better than I would have guessed).

While the Toyo 45G is a bit off topic for this forum, I thought that reporting the coverage of the Optar from the Crown was right on topic here.