Schneider 120mm 5.6 Apo Symmar XL or 110mm 5.6 Super Symmar Aspheric

[Michael R 1974]

Ok, so they are very close in focal length, and both pretty small lenses.

Super Symmar Pros vs Apo-Symmar:

1) Huge image circle, which would allow generous movements on 4x5 vs the Apo Symmar

Super Symmar Cons vs Apo-Symmar:

1) More distortion since not symmetric? Not sure. The graphs look like it has slightly more distortion than the Apo-Symmar.

2) 2x the price just for the lens, PLUS a center filter!!

I do a fair amount of straight-on urban shots, architecture etc, so the room for significant front rise could potentially be quite useful, but the cost is enormous, and distortion could be an issue.

[LJH]

The 120mm is not made for 4x5" (if that's what you're shooting). There is conflicting information on its coverage for this format. I wouldn't bother with it.

Also, with the 110mm on 4x5, you probably won't need the cf. And the distortion will be at the edges; you'll need some massive movements to get to this on 4x5.

[Frank Bunnik]

The 120mm XL covers 4x5 with ease. Sure it was made for 4x5, it just doesn't offer a huge image circle so there is not so much room for movements, though some movements can be made. It offers suberb imagery, excellent tones and sharpness. I used it for several images in my b&w landscape section:
www.frankbunnik.zenfolio.com

Good luck with your choice, Frank

[Michael R 1974]

Ok, so one vote for the Super Symmar, one vote for the Apo Symmar. So I'm back where I started

I'm surprised by LJH's post though - Schneider certainly claims the 120 is good for 4x5.

[Frank Bunnik]

For 4x5 you will probably not need the center-filter on the 110mm lens. If you need a large image circle, why not look for a wide-angle lens in the 105 - 120mm range? These are a lot cheaper than the 110mm lens.

After my previous post I noticed that the technical details to the 120mm photos on my site were missing so I just corrected that.

Good luck with your choice, Frank
www.frankbunnik.zenfolio.com

[Michael R 1974]

Thanks for the clarification.

Actually 120mm is the focal length I'd most like to have as it fits in nicely between a 150 and 90, and is the equivalent of a ~35mm in the 35mm format, which is one of my favourite angles of view.

[Frank Bunnik]

I understand.

I see you are in Montreal so I checked Keh. They have several lenses of 120mm for sale, including several Nikon and Schneider wide-angle versions. These cover 5x7 so they will give you plenty of movement with 4x5.

They also have 2 Fuji 125mm lenses. The difference with 120mm is negligible but the size of the lens will be smaller than a wide-angle lens.

http://www.keh.com/Camera/format-Lar...c=55942&r=WG&f

all the best, Frank