Best-bang-for-your-buck type lenses?

[jasonjoo]

I finally bit the bullet and purchased my first LF camera (sort of)! I placed my order for a Chamonix 45N-1 with Hugo today and am expecting the camera sometime in July/August. Still, there is a lot of work/research needed to be done.

For now, I am looking for a lens for the camera. I'm looking for a wide to normal lens that's some what affordable. I'd like to limit my budget to around $5-600 (I also need to invest in some film holders, lens board, and maybe even a 6x12 roll film back).

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Jason

(Also, where's a good place to buy? I'm looking at KEH right now since I've had good experiences with them before. I'm not so sure about eBay, but I'm willing to look there as well...)

[Dan Fromm]

Jason, if you can wait, go to eBay, bid low on likely lenses in shutter and budget for a shutter overhaul. Eventually you'll get a decent lens in a working shutter. Read the FAQs on this board's parent site to get an idea of which lenses to look for, and don't scorn older ones.

If you can't wait, KEH is reliable, so is Midwest (www.mpex.com). If you buy used, budget for a shutter overhaul. Look to Calumet too. I've never used one of these http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CL4150/ but the word on them is that they're not bad at all. Look for a used one ...

[Uhner]

I think you should listen to Dan’s advice.

However, I’m a bit confused by this:

Read the FAQs on this board's parent site to get an idea of which lenses to look for, and don't scorn older ones.

Do you mean the FAQ on http://www.largeformatphotography.info/

[Uhner]

Anyway Jason. Take a look at http://www.largeformatphotography.info/

You will find a lot of useful information on large format lenses on that site.

[Dan Fromm]

I think you should listen to Dan’s advice.

However, I’m a bit confused by this:



Do you mean the FAQ on http://www.largeformatphotography.info/

Yes. Another stupid error. The last couple of days have been filled with them. I'm beginning to worry.

Anyway, thanks for the correction.

[Anupam Basu]

The most bang per buck I have ever got out of an LF lens was the Optar WA 90mm - $100, tiny and sharp!

Congratulations on the Chamonix. Any website that shows current prices. It's starting to be a very close race indeed for me between the Chaomonix and a Zeiss Ikon.

[Ole]

I used to recommend older convertible Schneider Symmars, but lately the price of the convertibles seems to have gone up to where you can get a Symmar-S cheaper. So that's my recommendation: A 150mm or 135mm Schneider Symmar-S. Either will have sufficient coverage, but the 150mm comes close to letting you twist the bellows into a pretzel.

[Ian Grant]

Following Ole's suggestion remember that the Sironar N's and Caltars (Sironars mostly) are also excellent, some say better than the Symmars.

Ian

[Trevor Crone]

Certainly look out for a 135 Sironar-N, little wide of standard. Has a 200mm image circle so there is a wee bit of room for movements.

I've had one for a few years, before they went apo, and it's one lens I try and keep in the kit wherever I go. Small, light and certainly sharp.

[TheFlyingCamera]

Jason- I posted this in your earlier thread about what camera, but I'll repeat it here. Since you've expressed an interest in landscape and portrait work, for the landscape stuff I'd suggest a 90 f8 Super Angulon. The older ones can be found fairly reasonably. A 210 f5.6 from any of the major modern manufacturers will do you quite well for the other end - it will let you do long(er) shots with the landscape, closeups (not quite 1:1 macro) and also work well for portraits. Since you live in the LA area, before you buy a single lens, I'd recommend going in to Calumet or Samy's or one of the other big rental houses that carries LF gear and RENT a 210, a 150, and a 90, one at a time, and spend a weekend (or two) shooting with just that one lens. Develop your film, make your contact sheets, and look at your results. Get a feel for which lens does what, and how you like working with it - see if/how it fits your vision.