Buying large format lenses. What you should know about 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10 optics

Large format lenses are generally very reliable but there are certain checks you must make.
Linhof, Wista, Horseman, Paubel, Shen Hao, Chamonix, Sinar, MPP, Arca Swiss users will all find this useful.
For more information about fungus in lenses please click here:
• Fungus in cameras and ...
And always check for excessive Schneideritis on Schneider lenses!
Jonathan Harris, Worldwide Camera Exchange

[@oldfilmguy9413]

One of the most informative and well-presented videos on YT. While I knew this information already, it was still a great pleasure to watch due to your style. Cheers!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks!

[@jacopoabbruscato9271]

Correct information, straight to the point. Good video

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks - much appreciated

[@sylwesterorzechowski6068]

Thank you for a concise and very informative video.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Glad it was helpful!

[@constantinestewart7416]

Nice summary. Thanks.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tgchism]

Very informative! Thank you for the insights!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Glad it was useful!

[@mapgeek6]

I have a Schneider 150mm/5.6 Symmar-S MC that exhibits "Schneideritis" and it's a fantastic lens. No issue at all. It's purely cosmetic, because it's not in the imaging path. If you see any spots, haze, or fingerlike growths inside the lens IN the imaging path, steer clear!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks for commenting

[@s.p.9262]

Hello Jonathan I've been shooting medium format with my Hasselblad 500-C, 500-CM and Zeiss Super Iconra B folder, all of which are 6x6 format.. I'm in the process of building my own 4x5 field camera. I've picked up a some miscellaneous parts from Japan, i.e. Toyo 45S front standard and rotating ground glass back from Toyo's original 1958 manufacturing stock. Detailed presentation on the large format lense assembly. After dealing with the C-Series Carl Zeiss Hasselblad lenses with their integrated shutters. It would appear if you find a properly functioning shutter. I'm leaning toward the copal shutters, the large format lenses are somewhat simpler than the Carl Zeiss lenses for the Hasselblad. At any rate I appreciate the info you've included in your video, and will keep track of some of your other vids as time passes. Keep up the hard work, excellent presentation. Regards Sonny USA

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks for commenting. Yes, large format shutters in general are very reliable. Probably more so than Hasselblad in-lens shutters. Also servicing is relatively easy although don’t forget that spares can be hard to find (as is the case with most older stuff).

[@landesnorm]

Jonathan, very nice video, succinct, informative, and thoughtful. Thank you. Have you done any videos comparing lenses--say symmar-s against sironar or nikkor against fujinon? Not just in general sharpness but also color cast on fujichrome or ektachrome film as well as chromatic aberration especially when tilting or swinging the front standard and objective? Thanks again.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

No plans. The Schneider, Nikon, Rodenstock, Fuji debate is an age old and there’s plenty of existing content online. Same applies with the film comparisons.

[@MARKLINMAN1]

What would be a good first general purpose lens for 4x5? Thanks in advance. Great video here.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Maybe a 180mm or 210mm? Difficult to offer advice as it’s down to personal preference.

[@edwardcrosby5034]

Hi Jonathan,do you know why the lens is not centred in the panel. It’s the same on Wista panels with the mounting hole below centre. It can be a problem if I want to use rising front. Thanks Ed

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

The lens should be centred when the movements are set to zero. Sometimes this requires an offset panel to be used.

[@jackylin6811]

Hello, I came across your channel. I’m going to build my own 4x5 camera and I was looking at the different lens options. I found a 105mm (Carl Zeiss Zena f/4.5), an 135mm (Schneider Symmar f/5.6, and an 150mm lens (Fujinar-W f/6.3). If you can give a recommendation it would be greatly appreciated

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Most would choose a 150mm or 180mm but is really is a very personal choice. Schneider and Fuji lenses are very good albeit with slightly different characteristics. Try both and see which you prefer.

[@Murgoh]

I have two lenses with "schneideritis", neither of which is a Schneider. One is a Fujinon W 1:5.6/180 4x5 lens that has those white "spots". The other one is a Soviet Mir 26B 3.5/45 medium format one that has a white "streak" around the perimeter of the lens. Can't see any effect on the optical performance on either.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

It’s most common with Schneider lenses but other lenses suffer too. Good to know it isn’t impacting performance. Thanks for commenting.

[@skilo81]

Is metering with large format the same as metering with 35mm format?

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, exactly the same, although many photographers will spend more time getting the exposure spot-on first time. Exposure bracketing is far more expensive when using sheet film! Have a look into the Zone System.

[@Narsuitus]

I have been told that the resolving power of many large format lenses is inferior to the resolving power of small format and medium format lenses. If this is true, how do you identify large format lenses with superior resolution?

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, that’s true of some lenses. But a sharp lens on 35mm can’t compete with a slightly less sharp lens on 4x5 or 8x10.

[@Narsuitus]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange I shoot with the following lenses on my 4x5: 135mm f/5.6 Fujinon 90mm f/5.6 Fujinon 65mm f/8 Super-Angulon 47mm f/5.6 Super-Angulon I shoot with the following Mamiya lenses on my RB67: 250mm f/4.5 180mm f/4.5 140mm f/4.5 macro 90mm f/3.8 50mm f/4.5 Since I have been satisfied with the images I am able to capture with both sets of lenses, I have never felt the need to perform an image comparison test. However, I am now wondering if I should.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

@Narsuitus Modern pro spec lenses for a Nikon or Sony are likely to resolve better than Mamiya or large format lenses. But a Nikon or Sony don’t give you huge negatives or a full range of movements. These cameras have different uses so a comparison is pointless. If you don’t need the extra that large format film gives, then stick to modern high quality digital.