Difference between 120 mm lenses

[colrehogan]

What is the difference between a Nikkor 120 mm SW and a Schneider 120 mm SA from a user's standpoint? I have the specs on paper, but wanted to hear from people who used either or both on an 8x10.

[Pinholemaster]

I own the Nikkor lens. I know nothing about the Super Angulon. So looked up the specs for both:

Nikkor SW 8/4 120 8.0 312
Schneider Super Angulon 6/4 120 8.0 288


For what I can tell, the Nikkor has an image circle of 312. The Schneider is 288. So right there, the Nikkor will cover 8x10 and the Schneider won't.

The images I've made with my Nikkor are beautiful in quality. Very happy with the lens.

[Ted Harris]

OTOH, Schneider is probably the most conservative of the "Big 4" when it comes to their specifications so, if you have the opportunity, you might want to do a side-by-side comparison. I can't speak directly to eitehr of these lenses but do know from use that the Schneider Super Symmar XL does cover 8x10; its image circleis also 288.

Hopefully someone else who has actual experience with the 120 SA will post.

[paul owen]

Hi. The 120mm Schneider does cover the 10x8 format - but don't expect anything in the way of room for movements - however, it is such a wide view that you won't need any either!

[colrehogan]

My actual planned use for the lens is on a 5x12 camera. I know that the diagonal of the 512 is slightly larger than that of the 8x10, so that's my real reason for asking.

[jimgalli]

Ouch. That's awfully wide. I'll stick my neck out and say I'll bet you'll need a center filter to keep the extremities from getting noticeably dark. Plus remember since there really isn't any movement possible, every horizon line will have to go straight across the middle of the frame, which to me would be the killer. With a 150 XL you could put your horizon an inch from the bottom and still have a ton of room to wiggle in. I have the earlier 121 SA and it covers 8X10 but the only time I get tempted to use it is when I want to distort something on purpose for artistic effect. In that case I've usually moved in on my subject some. Here's an example.

[colrehogan]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'll hold up on looking for this lens for a while.