Peter Witkop
(K=3189) - Comment Date 4/14/2004
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I've used EL-Nikkors alot myself, a 135 for 4x5. A quick search on e-bay shows few for sale at the moment, the average buy it now prices are around 110 or so. KEH has a EL-Nikkor 150 in EX+ condition for $265 right now, so that gives an idea on the price range. Schnieder and Rodenstock make excellent enlarging lenses from everything I've read, but I don't have any personal experience with them. As for focal lengths, a 135 should cover 4x5 just fine, though there's a little more risk for having to do edge burning thatn with the 150. Hope that helps  )
Peter
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Robert Frank Green
(K=1039) - Comment Date 4/15/2004
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Rachael, The standard 4x5 lens is 210mm, but many other focal lengths work depending on what you are shooting. What are you shooting? I would recommend finding a used 210mm F5.6 lens and starting with that. If you find you need a wider angle then a 150mm would be the next choice. I use a variety of lens' from a 90mm to a 300mm when I'm in the studio. However the 210mm is what I am most comfortable with.
Good Luck! Bob
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Peter Witkop
(K=3189) - Comment Date 4/15/2004
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LOL, I just re-read the original post, the first time through I saw omega, missed the word 'camera' after it, and assumed enlarger, so my previous reply would be my recomendation for enlarging lenses ) For 4x5 camera lenses I use 3; a 210 nikkor-w 5.6 which is used in the studio and for people mostly were a slightly long lens is nice. In the field were I do almost exclusivly black and white in 4x5, I use an older schnieder symmar 150, which is what's on the camera most of the time, and a schieder angulon 90 (not a super angulon, so no movements) for when I want a wider angle. For prices check ebay and look at the closed auctions and see what the final prices are looking like. I'd also look at KEH and see what their prices are too; I ussually only buy on ebay if the price is appreciably less than from a dealer, since they ship faster (ussually) and they're generally a bit more likely to have to stand behind something.
Peter
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Phillip Cohen
(K=10561) - Comment Date 4/16/2004
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I have a number of lenses but the one that I use for most things in the studio is the 180mm Nikkor, it is a nice focal length for most things. It is also a great macro lens just put some extra bellows behind it and you are set.
Above peter had mentioned El Nikkor lenses but I think that the EL lenses are enlarging lenses no large format lenses, they have a different name for large format lenses.
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Peter Witkop
(K=3189) - Comment Date 4/17/2004
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Philip, read my send post as a reason not to read through things too quickly ;o)
Peter
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Phillip Cohen
(K=10561) - Comment Date 4/20/2004
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Peter, My Bad! Good choice on enlarging lenses though ;=]
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Gabriel Dinim
(K=37) - Comment Date 6/18/2004
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Have you found a lens that you like?
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Rachael S
(K=43) - Comment Date 10/31/2004
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yup, I found a fairly decent 150mm lens. I just started working with a borrowed 210 lens, and I'm floored by how different it is. Gotta get used to it before I consider buying one of those
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Clay Turtle
(K=-42) - Comment Date 3/12/2006
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I got a used 4x5 that came with 150mm but I started with a 210mm.
Most of my shots are with it unless I'm in tight & need a wider angle. The 210mm to 240mm is like a protrait lense in 35mm, a little on the long side of a normal lens. I like having the 150mm & at times I wish I had about a 90mm. I guess that is one of those ingrained attitudes developed shooting 35mm with variable (zoom)len, having a wide range of focal lengths to choose.
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