Re: [Largeformat] LENS: Which One?

["Karl Wolz" <wolzphoto@worldnet.att.net>]

From: "Karl Wolz" <wolzphoto@worldnet.att.net>

My favorite lens to go packing with, and which sees a lot of use in
architectural work also, is my good old 120mm Angulon.  No, not Super Ang.
If I had to choose one lens only, this would be it.  Others decry it as old
and low contrast, but I have yet to find anyone who can pick an image made
from the Ang. from any other lens on a light table.  BTW, it was made in
1957 and is, I believe, single coated.

I also use a 210 Nikon (10 yrs old), and have absolutely no complaints.
----- Original Message -----
From: Todd E. Maurer <maurert@apk.net>
To: <Largeformat@onelist.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 1999 9:28 AM
Subject: [Largeformat] LENS: Which One?


> From: "Todd E. Maurer" <maurert@apk.net>
>
> Pete,
>
> Probably start a storm of opinions here.  From what I've read the
differences
> between large format lenses manufactured after W.W.II to today are
sometimes more
> theoretical  than practical.   In  MOST uses of the large format lenses
sharpness
> is limited by the aperture used and film flatness rather than by lens
design.  (And
> arguably too much sharpness is a bad thing for portrait work.)  Where
there is a
> practical difference is in contrast and flare.  Coated lenses have a huge
advantage
> over non coated and Multi coated lenses have a small advantage over single
coated
> lenses.  So if your landscapes are to be contrasty with the sun or other
bright
> object in the frame, then the latest glass will be with out equal.  Less
demanding
> contrast and flare requirements make most lenses since W.W.II siblings if
not
> twins.  Some brands are noted for better quality control at certain times.
But I
> doubt you could go wrong with Schneider or Nikon if either was made since
the 60s.
>
> If you're doing landscapes, the other possibility is to choose a 90 mm
lens.  I
> shoot about half my scenics with a 90 and the other half with a 180.  4x5
is
> somewhat forgiving of cropping.  A 180 mm may not include all the elements
you want
> and you'd be stuck without an image at all.  A 90 mm may not be close
enough for
> for shoots, but you could still get the image and crop it.  If forced to
take one
> and only one lens today it'd be the 90 mm for this reason.  I am not
certain of
> which 90s cover 5x7.
>
> Todd
>
> >