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SimonW · Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 27

Hello gents!

I need a starter 90mm for my Crown Graphic and wanted opinions on the above 90mm which I was thinking of making my first 90mm. Could anybody give me a broad overview of this lenses capabilities, sharpness, quality, resolution, edge to edge, colour etc? Is this lens a good purchase for the older 90's?

Q - Will this lens cover 4x5?

Q - Does it have a thread for filters or only accept the Series VI?

Ahhh ok, just found info that it has a 40.5mm thread, excellent!

Q - I have an Optar 135mm on the Crown right now, will I have to find a new cam for the rangefinder or can I just leave everything setup for the Optar and just work off the ground glass?

Thanks, Syd.

[ This Message was edited by: SimonW on 2005-05-17 00:26 ]

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

SimonW · Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 27

Thanks Dan!

Well thats something to consider and you've given me pause for thought certainly. Initially I was looking to save for a Nikkor SW f4.5 90mm as thats the lens I really want but I had thought that while waiting I could pick up a cheap 90 to stave off curiosity and that wouldn't damage my wallet to badly in the process. I have heard that the later Angulons, coated and post WW2 can be excellent units and actually very sharp when stopped right down. I have seen some images from this lens and although they will vary as you suggest, have been led to believe these are a good unit overall.

Thankyou for your comments and I welcome further additions from others also.

Best, Simon

David A. Goldfarb · Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 142 Location: New York City

If you can find a 90/6.8 Angulon engraved by Linhof, they tend to be a little more consistent, since they tested (and still test) lenses that they re-brand and rejected ones that didn't pass.

One thing to watch out for with Angulons is that the circle of illumination is much larger than the circle of good resolution, so if you apply too much movement, resolution will drop off rapidly at the corners.

Still they are nice compact lenses that cover 4x5". I have one that I use when I need to go lightweight and can't carry the 90/8.0 Super-Angulon.

You can usually find single-coated 90/8.0 Super-Angulons from the 1970s for around $350, if you want something that will give you more coverage than an Optar or Angulon without breaking the bank.

SimonW · Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 27

Thanks David!

Well my purposes are strictly Landscape for the Angulon, I'll wait until I buy the Nikkor SW 90mm before I bother shooting Architecture. I have heard the later versions are best and the Linhof as you have said seem to be best overall.

Is there any problem not using movements with a standard 90 but shooting with downward angles for spatial effect such as prominant foreground objects? Some people have suggested shooting straight on with these lenses but I'm not quite sure what they meant by this?

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

David slipped in a similarly named but radically different lens. An f8 SUPER Angulon is a large lens capable of covering 5x7 but will be difficult to mount on a Graphic as it has a wide rear cell.

I have both the 6.8 Angulon and the f8 Super. I shot a lot of construction and landscape with my Angulon and deem it quite capable. Most of the time I use the lens with nearly all of the rise I could get with my Crown and was quite satisfied with the results. But your idea of sharp and my idea of sharp my be two different things.

However I doubt it was a lens you put on a twisted-pretzel view camera. You might fall in to problems of the encroaching circle of good definition or circle of illumination.

You might want to look at a Bausch on Lomb 88mm lens. Of the 90mm lenses out there (Angulon, Optar, Dagor) this one is the cheapest and may be a great value. I found mine quite sharp and sometimes can be had for less than $100

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

troublemaker · Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 715 Location: So Cal

Simon,
Someone posted a comparison above between the Raptar 65 and 90 mm lenses. I have both. I have the 90mm Raptar, and also the Angulon, and they are very good lenses. I much prefer my angulon and it produces nice color and sharp images. (The 65 Raptar is a fuzzy little thing that barely performs stopped to f32.) I must have one of the better Angulon 90's since it is the sharper than any of my longer 4x5 optics and is a solid performer, especially stopped down. I would one of these would make a nice adition to any kit, and I consider mine a fine piece, especially since I travel with it and it is small and light. Furthermore, at f6.8 it is reasonably focus friendly. Just keep in mind that the corners fall off quickly and movement will be minimal, and you will want to be focussing at 6.8, but they were intended to be stopped down when exposing. I have a couple late sunset shots from last fall that were sharp edge to edge and very sharp, while others had problems.
If you fiund one with a proper lens board for your camera, this opening will fit many other Schneider lenses if in Linhof or Compur shutters...
Stephen

SimonW · Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 27

Gents!

Thankyou for your fine comments, all. I have since come across an 88mm Bausch & Lomb 90mm and an Astragon 90mm f6.8 that are both priced at $195! Am I right in thinking that these are expensive for their type? Infact the Angulon I was looking at was cheaper than either of those above by a few dollars.

I'm trying to buy from reputable dealers online such as Midwest an avoid Ebay for obvious reasons but Mpex and others have either zero stock right now or the prices of the Linhof select units are fetching around $350 ...

What to do?

Any opinions regarding the B&L 88mm and the Astragon?

troublemaker · Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 715 Location: So Cal

I have had a couple linhof select lenses in shutter. I am no pro at this but here's my observation on the matter. As far as I can tell, The linhof Symmar lenses I had and have are simply Synchro-Compur shutters with a Linhof select faceplate and ring. The lenses are in fact inferior to anything else I have and I can not find anything wrong with the spacing and have deemed that the glass is in fact not so select. Anyone can put a word on a dial and tell a nice story for promotional purposes; it happens everyday in every country on every planet where human life survives...
I read about the other lenses listed above and I wouldn't touch them unless absolutely sure what you are getting and ask what the return policy is.
90 angulons are a dime a dozen in standard Compur shutters and you are correct in wanting one of the later models, and the serial numbers can be traced to some degree. Look for a cherry one with a working shutter and I think you may be quite happy. but this is just my opinion. That said, before I spent more than say 150.00 for an older single coated 90 I might save my pennies and wait for the modern multi-coated nikkor if color is your main objective. I myself have been shopping around for 65mm Super Angulons or similar to shoot on both my 4x5 and 2x3's with color.

Anyway, good luck with the hunt.
Stephen

[ This Message was edited by: troublemaker on 2005-05-18 17:26 ]