Used wide angle lens recommendation for 6x9

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I'm just getting my feet wet, and I plan to shoot landscapes and some architecture. Coverage with movements in 6x9, size, and cost are as important to me as lens performance at this point. I'd appreciate any suggestions you may have.

-- Joe Buechler (jbuechler@toad.net), July 26, 2000

Answers

Joe, has I've already indicated in a recent posting in 6x9 I would recommend the 55mm Apo-Gradagon by Rodenstock. It's an extremley fine lens with all the sharpness one could wish for. An image circle of 163mm allowing about 40mm of rising front, f-stops from 4.5 to 45 and a 67mm front screw thread, the lens is quite compact and weighs about 400g. According to Rodenstock this lens is equiv. to about a 24mm lens in the 35mm format when used in 6x9cm. Regards,

-- Trevor Crone (tcrone@gm.dreamcast.cpm), July 26, 2000.

How wide do you want to get (or what lens in another format are you trying to approximate here?)

In 6x9, a 58mm has about the same angle of view as a 24mm in the 135 format.

A 65mm approximates a 28mm

A 90mm, approximates a 35-37mm.

A 47mm, approximates a 20mm.

and so on.............

Cheap used 65mm f8 Schneider SA (late ones) or Horseman Topcor 65mm f7 lenses are generally good. These are single coated lenses. Both are about $300+ from KEH.

I actually prefer the latter since they come in standard size 0 shutters compared to the usual odd size and flimsier 00 for the SA. You could also look for the faster versions which are much more pricey - f4/4.5/5.6 lenses from any of the major manufacturers.

Personally I own a 65mm f8 Fujinon which is a nice performer in a modern Copal 0. The lack of multicoating hasn't hurt the nice contrast. My 58mm XL is my more used lens though.

The suggestion of the 55mm Grandagon is an excellent one. Also consider the 58mm XL from Schneider.

And one more thing, you should try to install a fresnel lens for your groundglass if you plan to use these lenses. They can be hard to focus on a standard groundglass at the edge of the image. Especially so for the f8 variety in low light.

-- K H Tan (kahheng@pacific.net.sg), July 26, 2000.


I use the Nikkor 65 on my 6x9 view with fine results.

-- Paul MInkus (dkurtz@mc.net), July 31, 2000.

6x9 is directly proportional to 135. Multiply 35mm focal length by a factor of 2.5 for the 6x9 equivalent.

-- Al Seyle (aseyle@gte.net), August 02, 2000.

Last year I bought a 65mm 5.6 single coated Schneider.$725 great lens. All the others of the "big 4" chould do as well. F5.6 is nice to see with on the gg though. George Nedleman

-- George Nedleman (gnln@thegrid.net), August 03, 2000.


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