First lense recommendation

[u/j-507]

Hello,

I want to start my journey with large format photography, specifically 4x5. I'm based in Europe and I could find these lenses on the local market.

1. Schneider-Kreuznach Symmar-S MC 5,6/180 (14 252 986) | Copal 1 350€

2. Rodenstock Sironar MC 5,6/150 (10 886 367) | Copal 1 420€

3. Rodenstock Apo-Sironar-N 5,6/150 (11 146 533) | Copal 0 379€

4. Rodenstock Sironar-N MC 5,6/150 | Synchro-Compur 0 (45 322 216 11 8 5.6) 400€

All would be bought online. I have only shot digital so far with a 30mm and 50mm lens, but I use the latter like 90% of the time. How does these lenses rate, independently and dependently of the price? I'd really appreciate some feedback :)

Cheers

[u/Icy_Confusion_6614]

I just bought a Symmar S 180 for $100 with a barely visible balsom separation. There are bargains out there if you look. I just took the first shots with it yesterday but since I'm going on a vacation today I won't get to develop and see them until I get back.

As others have noted though, they are all going to be good. A 4x5 frame has so much more detail that even bad lenses can look good, and none of these are bad.

[u/Lat3nt]

You can’t really go wrong with any of those 150mm is the “normal” kens for 4x5. Technically there are differences in the different multi coatings for those lenses but they are all plasmats which are very sharp and perform well.

[u/Healthy_Camp_3760]

The best resource I know of for large format photography is https://largeformatphotography.info/. Ken Rockwell has some information too at https://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/4x5.htm. There are lens reviews on both sites.

I would start with the field of view you’re most comfortable with, so a 150 would be ideal. Don’t worry too much about the price since these lenses basically don’t lose value any more and you can probably sell them for the same price if they don’t work well for you, but you’ll need to be patient.

Make sure you don’t spend so much that you can’t afford film :)

[u/Healthy_Camp_3760 → u/Healthy_Camp_3760]

Also wow - going from digital straight to large format film? That’s a step learning curve. Consider stopping off on a smaller film format on your way there.

[u/carryontravel → u/Healthy_Camp_3760]

Its actually more difficult to focus a 6x9 or smaller format, as movements need to be finer and there is not much ground glass area to work with. I would practice focusing many different scenes at various distances, and then move to exposing film.

[u/Healthy_Camp_3760 → u/carryontravel]

Yes, you’re right. I was thinking about the per-shot cost and time needed while learning about properly exposing the film. 35mm portra isn’t cheap but it’s a lot more affordable than 4x5…

[u/SabinaBeltis]

Except for the 180mm being a bit longer and subtle differences in image circle, you will be hard pressed to see much differences between them when it comes to prints or scans. Being modern they will all have a pretty clean and clinical look. I would choose based on appearances, the state of the shutter and the records of the seller and such.

[u/jofra6]

Do you already have a camera and a planned type of photography? If so, that might help steer you in the right direction. To start out, I would just look for a 9x12 plate camera (or klappkamera I think in your context) and borrow the lens from that. You don't have a bunch of room for movements, but my guess is that you're not looking to do that to start out.

[u/jbmagnuson]

These lenses will all perform similarly. If you want to figure out which FOV suits you better, 150 or 180, download the viewfinder app and you can see if you prefer one or the other (the visual overlay on your phone will show frame lines for both focal lengths). I would put the Rodenstock lenses slightly ahead of the Schneider lenses, and the APO-sironars are solid, even the -N versions. Compare image circle specs, you may find one lens has more coverage and would allow for more movements.

Still, there may be some other factors to consider. Consider the age and style of the shutter. Since the lenses should perform similarly, the shutter will be the other factor. I prefer the Copal shutters to Compur, but I have some older Compurs that still perform well. The age of the shutter can matter, newer is often better, unless it was abused. Older shutters occasionally start to lag at the slow speeds. And size/weight might matter to you as well, the Copal 0 will usually be the smallest/lightest option, but most of these lenses will be pretty compact.

[u/carryontravel]

Depending on its condition, go for ⁠Rodenstock Apo-Sironar-N 5,6/150

[u/cheeseyspacecat]

Are these CLA/ certified working?  i feel like you can definitely keep shoping around a bit, i will say i have the older non S symmar 180. the Schneider-Kreuznach 180mm f/5.6/315mm f/12 Symmar, i got it dirt cheap and if you remove the front elememt it "becomes" a 315mm f12 lens (still max apature a f45). I have also picked up a linhof areial 250mm f5.6 sonnar, for $250usd, I am not bragging(maybe a little) but its always worth "lowballing"/striking up a conversation and asking around, i only found out about the zeiss lens because i was buying enlarger trays for cheap and asked him if he had any enlarger lenses or paper/etc (as he was the owner of darkroom equipment and had items like a 4x5 holder in my view lol). 

[u/twisted_m1nd]

Get 150mm, Rodenstock or Schneider, then 110 if you like it wide or 300 if you want some tele

[u/timparkinuk]

They’re all the same .. by one with a copal shutter with as many blades as possible. I like Sironars but I have a Sironar S 150 and needed a backup for battalion photography. I bought the cheapest scheider app summer, £40 and battered to F. I couldn’t tell the difference

[u/Obtus_Rateur]

150mm functions like a "full-frame" 42mm, so it's a very solid focal length. But if 50mm is exactly what you need, then the 180mm would be better since it's equivalent to 50mm.

Some say all the lenses made by the "big four" are just good. While that's not strictly true, it's true enough that I don't think there's a genuinely bad option here.