Recommendations for 210mm lens

[Richard Kelham]

Another vote for the Nikkor-W 210mm. It is bitingly sharp – as are all the modern aplanat lenses – and, yes, it does take 67mm filters!

[Ole]

Another vote for the Nikkor-W 210mm. It is bitingly sharp – as are all the modern aplanat lenses – and, yes, it does take 67mm filters!

I'm not sure what kind of lens construction the Nikkor-W 210mm is, but I'm pretty sure it isn't an aplanat. Plasmat, perhaps?

[David H. Bebbington]

Nikkor 210:

[Baxter Bradford]

And another fan of the Nikkor 210W adds his vote.

[Richard Kelham]

I'm not sure what kind of lens construction the Nikkor-W 210mm is, but I'm pretty sure it isn't an aplanat. Plasmat, perhaps?

Oops! Quite right – shouldn't post past my bedtime!


Richard

[spongeboy]

I love the 200/8 Nikkor M as well, but honestly can't see any difference in pic quality to the Komura (!) Commercial 210/6.3.... which weighs the same as the 300/9 M and would need 49mm to 67mm step-up ring for your purpose. Goes s/h for about 200-250 US. Image circle 235mm. Have also used the old Kodaks (Anastigmat/Ektar) with good results in the past.

[jeroldharter]

A few months back I posted a similar question. In the end I bought a Caltar IIN from Calumet for < $800. I am sure you could find them used. I too did not want to exceed 67 mm filters if possible. So far, I am very pleased with the lens. The bottom line is that for the money you will get a Caltar/Rodenstock, Nikon, or Fuji. The used Nikon might be easier to find.

[Russ Young]

The Computar 210 f/9 is in a No. 1 shutter but deceptively light. I've owned one since 1978 and it is a superb lens. Have tried a number of others and found no reason to keep them. It has a built in lens hood, which is nice but it prevents any sort of threaded filter. Covers 8x10. Anyone else using one?

[TheFlyingCamera]

Another vote for the Sironar/Caltar/Sinaron 210 F5.6 . I have the Sinaron (Sinar-branded) version of the Rodenstock 210. Theoretically these are hand-picked to meet a higher quality standard. I got mine used about 2 years ago for about $500. You should be able to find one within your budget. They take beautiful images, and have more than enough coverage if you ever bump up to 5x7.

[Scott-Tx]

i went through the very same thing about two years ago... i wanted a great 210 that took 67mm filters. so, i bought a bunch of them and tested them, and the two i liked best were the APO Symmar and the Sironar-S. in the end i went with the Rodenstock for no other reasson than my 150 at the time was also a Sironar-S... it's now a Super Symmar - so much for planning! anyhow, i stepped the native 72mm filter size DOWN to 67mm, and never noticed any vignetting on 4x5. mark's 210 APO Symmar here on APUG looks like a very good deal!