Fine Art XXL lenses 550mm and 1100mm

[Michael Mutmansky]

PhotoBulley,

Schneider discontinued the G Claron lenses because they couldn't make enough money (or possibly couldn't make any money) on the lenses.

We as ULF shooters see the benefit to these lenses, but to a company like Schneider, they have to look at it as a financial decision, and that's it.

Here's what I think is going to happen to the opticas industry... {{[[ as he gazes into his crystal ball ]]}}

100 years ago, there were many, many optics companies around, as evidenced by the numerous lenses that you can buy that have names on them that almost nobody has heard of. Then, the industry matured, and the cream rose to the top, so to speak. Consolidation, banckruptsy, wars, etc. all factored in, and now there are almost none left, other than the big two (don't kid yourself, Nikkor hasn't made a LF lens in many, many years, and Fujinon hasn't designed one in years also, and there are rumors about them...).

Someone is going to get it into their head to start making 'old style' lenses again. It'll probably be a very small shop, and production will be in small numbers. These lenses would be everything that us ULF shooters will ever need, and probably even meet the requirements of smaller shooters like 4x5 and 5x7.

I'm not talking about brass lenses with script labels, I'm talking about lenses that are simple to design and manufacture, and meet the needs for only modest reproduction ratios or contact printing, which coincidentally is what was happpening 100 years ago, also.

I was hoping that Cooke was going to step up and do this, but I got enough attitude from them at Photo Expo (why should we stop a run of $40,000 cine lenses to make a sub-$1000 lens?) that I don't think it's going to be them. They must be too large of a company to do it. But I'll tell you, there is a market out there for a small company to do it.

BTW, if you need a 355 G Claron, I have one I am about to put on Ebay, since I don't have a 12x20 camera anymore.


---Michael

[Brian Bullen]

Michael, I hope that small shop you envision makes lenses like the computar f/9 series(especially the 300, can't find one anywhere) or wa dagors in various focal lengths. Although I think any production of this sort would take quite a bit of intial capital to get off the ground. I admit I don't know much about optical manufacturing but it seems like a costly venture. Sounds like you have a new business for yourself

[Asher Kelman]

So,

In the end, who bought these XXL lenses. I only know one person who paid $5000 for a 500mm XXL. What happened to all the other lenses made. I hardly ever say in the notes here of anyone using such a lens for their work.

Asher

[Greg Davis]

Clyde Butcher works down in the everglades has one of each, but he is the only person I know that got them.

[Dave Wooten]

Sandy uses one and I believe Monty does also. Definately thw way to go for abundant coverage with the 20 x 24.

[Barry S]

I saw someone selling the 1100 in like new condition on craigslist locally for a very low price. I tried to get it, but it was sold in minutes.

[pgomena]

I know a guy who owns one for his 12x20. Not sure which focal length. I don't often use the term "awesome," but that's what it is.

Peter Gomena

[E76]

It looks like B&H has them for sale still. While still expensive, the prices are far lower than those quoted in the original post. Now's the time to buy one!