Heaviest Lens a Chamonix 4x5 will accept?

[JChrome]

Bonjour!

I've noticed a few users on here with the Chamonix 4x5 (N or F). I'd like to ask about the maximum size of the lens you guys think it will accommodate.

Here's my quandry - I'd really like a great 300mm lens. I am between the Fuji C F8.5 and the Schneider Symmar S F5.6. Due to the wider aperture, the Symmar is big! But it's priced really nicely ($100 less than the Fuji).

So is the Schneider too fat for the 3 lbs Chamonix that's on it's way from China? I am a newbie to LargeFormat so any help would be appreciated.

I may also be persuaded to go with the Fuji T 300mm but I think the C version or the Schneider are higher contrast.

Thanks!

*Disclaimer* The Chamonix is not* a LF RF because there's no RF attached. But I thought this was the appropriate sub-forum to post in. I couldn't find a better one.

 

[stompyq]

I had a 4x5N and used a Fuji 400mm f8 T with it (it's been a while). Never had a problem with stability. Never owned a 300mm symmar s. As long as it's not on a copal 3 you should be ok

 

[x-ray]

Doesn't it take a Linhof style board. If yes then it should be OK. Linhof boards will a accomidate a copal or compur 3 even an ilex 4. I have used quite a few lenses in Copal #3 shutters on my Ebony and Master Technika.

I had the non S Symmar and had no problems as well as a 360 Tele Arton 5.5 in a copal 3 and never had a problem.

 

[drew.saunders]

First, go here: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/index.php
Join up and read up. Lots more information on LF at the LF site.

I have a Fuji C and it worked just fine on my Tachihara, which is also a light field camera like your Chamonix. I'd recommend going with the lighter lens, either the Fuji or a Nikkor-M 300/9 if you can find one for a good price.

The Symmar-S is an older version of the Symmar line of Plasmat lenses from Schneider. I have a Symmar-S in 135mm, and it's a fine lens, but the Symmar-S line was replaced by the APO-Symmar and then the APO-Symmar L line, so it's likely a decade or more older than the Fuji that you're looking at, which explains the cost difference. For 4x5, the smaller image circle of the -S line isn't a problem with the longer lenses (and not really a problem with my 135mm), so you can save a lot of money buy getting one of the older lenses. Just know that the shutter will be inaccurate at the faster speeds, and possibly all speeds, due to the age.

For a light field camera, I'd avoid a big f/5.6 Plasmat in focal lengths over 210mm. Fuji made a 250/6.7 in a Copal 1 shutter that's smaller and lighter than any of the 240/5.6 lenses in Copal 3. Part of the reason for getting a light camera like your Chamonix is to have a light setup, and huge lenses start feeling heavy really fast.

Also, with some Copal 3 shutter equipped lenses on smaller cameras, you might have difficulty mounting the lens on the camera in the board. For your Chamonix, I'd recommend staying with lenses in size 0 or 1 (or size 2, for some much older lenses, like my Schneider Xenar 180/4.5) shutters.

Are you sure you need a 300mm lens? Most people find themselves re-thinking their focal lengths when they move to large format. Even though there are charts that give you "equivalent" focal lengths (which is hard to do well when comparing a 2:3 ratio camera like 24x36 or APC-C to a 4:5 ratio camera), in practice, you might find yourself more comfortable with different angles of view with the larger camera. For example, although I use 24mm and shorter fairly often on my 35mm film camera, I rarely use my 80mm lens on 4x5, and that's my widest lens. What other lenses do you have lined up for your Chamonix?

 

[JChrome]

Thanks for the replies. I kind of want the faster 5.6 because I shoot in some low-light situations. But then, the F8 is a lot smaller.

First, go here: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/index.php Join up and read up. Lots more information on LF at the LF site. Are you sure you need a 300mm lens? Most people find themselves re-thinking their focal lengths when they move to large format. Even though there are charts that give you "equivalent" focal lengths (which is hard to do well when comparing a 2:3 ratio camera like 24x36 or APC-C to a 4:5 ratio camera), in practice, you might find yourself more comfortable with different angles of view with the larger camera. For example, although I use 24mm and shorter fairly often on my 35mm film camera, I rarely use my 80mm lens on 4x5, and that's my widest lens. What other lenses do you have lined up for your Chamonix?

I don't have other lenses lined up quite yet for the Chamonix. I really love the ~80mm FOV (35mm equiv). I shot a lot with my 165mm for my Pentax 67 and loved it and the series I want to shoot is more of the same. I was thinking of something like a 150mm as a secondary lens. Then finally a wide - 90mm or so. Since I am a LF newbie, do you find using longer lenses is more of a challenge? If so, I may start with a standard lens. I'll be signing up for LFPhotography post haste.

 

[Corran]

I think a 300mm f/5.6 Symmar-S is a bit overkill generally speaking. That lens will cover 8x10 with room to spare. I have one and it's a beast. I have used it on 4x5 but I regretted it. If I use a 300mm I use a Nikkor-M 300mm f/9 which takes 52mm filters and is a baby comparatively. But considering the Symmar line is so ubiquitous and cheap you might deal with the weight/size and go for it. Beware using filters on that big sucker though! 105mm filter thread I think it is.

I'm a wide-angle guy so I'm biased (my most-used lens is a 90mm) but I would get a good 210mm or 240mm first before a 300mm, or yes the "standard" 150mm. You can find fast 240mm lenses for cheap too. If you like the look of a good Tessar/Xenar there are plenty of fast lenses in that range, even faster than the Symmar at f/4.5 too. Or a 270mm Tele would be another option.

Either way the Chamonix will definitely handle a 300mm f/5.6.

Join LFPF for sure!

 

[drew.saunders]

Thanks for the replies. I kind of want the faster 5.6 because I shoot in some low-light situations. But then, the F8 is a lot smaller. I don't have other lenses lined up quite yet for the Chamonix. I really love the ~80mm FOV (35mm equiv). I shot a lot with my 165mm for my Pentax 67 and loved it and the series I want to shoot is more of the same. I was thinking of something like a 150mm as a secondary lens. Then finally a wide - 90mm or so. Since I am a LF newbie, do you find using longer lenses is more of a challenge? If so, I may start with a standard lens. I'll be signing up for LFPhotography post haste.

Fortunately, used LF lenses aren't all that expensive, so if you do get the 300/5.6, and if you find it too huge, you can sell it later. If you get a better deal on a Nikkor, Fuji or Rodenstock, they're all good, so no need to stick to one brand.

For what you want, to save some weight and still get a good subject distance and fast lens, see if you can find a Fuji 250/6.3 lens. Fuji made an older 250/6.7 that covers 8x10 that's a lot more desirable, so look for the faster, newer f/6.3 version that doesn't quite cover 8x10, and will be more than enough for you. It's in a Copal 1 shutter, so you'll save a lot of weight. I used one for a while until I picked up a Fujinar 250/4.7. If you can find the Fujinar 250/4.7, it's an excellent portrait lens. It's a single-coated Tessar, so you'll want to use a hood, but the extra pinch of light is handy, and many like the looks from a single-coated Tessar. It squeezes into a Copal 3, but Tessar designs are a bit lighter than Plasmats, so it ended up weighing about the same as the 250/6.3. They're hard to find outside of Japan, though.

Yes, getting a 150, 180 or 210 as a "normal" lens is a great choice to go with a 240/250 or 300. I started with a 120 APO-Symmar (since replaced with a Fuji 125, with a much larger image circle) and then added a 200/8 Nikkor-M, and that 120/200 combo was enough for me for a long time. They're still my most used focal lengths, especially the 200 Nikkor-M, which is tiny. GAS, however, eventually crept in, and a "few" more lenses made their way into my bag, and closet and...

Edit: I just checked, and there are a half dozen or so Fuji 250/6.3 lenses on Ebay, several for $200 or less!