4x5 135mm or 150mm

[ash13brook]

I have lens mounts for both 135mm and 150mm lenses for my D2V.
The smallest print I would make would be 8x10 and the largest would 16x20. I would like to think I might go 20x24 someday, but that would require a bigger easel and trays, so I'll cross that bridge if I get to it.
Is one or the other of these lenses better for what I have planned? I might decide to add 6x9 at some point. Will the 135 cover that?

 

[Barry Kirsten]

Matt, if you did go into 6x9 then the 135 would be the better choice, although the head would be higher when working with these negs. For 4x5 the head would be lower, which may be convenient. A decent 135 will cover 4x5 OK. I have 135 and 150 El Nikkors and really don't find much between them with 4x5 negs. I'd go for the 135 in your situation. The lower working height when doing large prints makes for easier focusing with most enlargers (not quite sure about the D2V).

 

[Emile de Leon]

Make sure you have the correct condensers for the lens you are using..unless cold light..
The 150 will provide better coverage..esp in corners..
For 6x9..you may just want to get a 100mm for that..or the 135 as a do all.

 

[Shac]

Agree with Emile - the 150 for 4x5

 

[ash13brook]

150 it is.
Emile -the D2V is variable condenser. It has 2 main condensers and another that you place in a different position according to negative format. I'm glad I bought it over the DII I was looking at. I did not know they used different sets of condensers in that one - which I assume they do not come with used.