Format Lens
Choosing A Large Format Lens For Your View Camera
Even as small digicams are claiming increasing attention and resources from the majority of the big camera companies, the height of quality and fine detail in a photograph is still a thing extremely sought-after by many professionals and some persistent hobbyists. And even now, a nearly ten years into the new century, that degree of quality is provided by film and a large format camera. But having the big camera itself, you’re only halfway there. You also need a big piece of glass , or lens, to go on the front of it.
Lately it’s getting progressively difficult to find some large format lenses, especially those for the large cameras due to the fact that fewer manufacturers continue to make them. New lenses are still being made in some brand names, however it’s certainly worth keeping in mind that auctions and used sections of camera stores are often the best allies of those looking for this sort of lens. Currently there are three major manufacturers still producing these kinds of lenses. Known, appropriately, as “The Big 3″ they are Rodesntock, Fuji and Schneider. As recently as three years ago there was a 4th, Nikon, but regrettably they discontinued their line of large format lenses. Products from the other three companies can often be difficult to get new in the United States.
If you have come to the conclusion that large format is the way to go and you’re currently thinking of purchasing a lens then there are several considerations you will need to keep in mind.
The format of the camera would be the most apparent first. Most people get into larger cameras by beginning with a 4×5 . Above that there’s 5×7, 8×10 and all the way up to 20×24 inch formats with various custom and panoramic formats in between. The reason you need to consider your camera format is the fact that it will impact how a lens of a certain focal length behaves. As an illustration: A lens that makes an image that isn’t “long” or “wide” but looks much like the way our eyes naturally see is known as “normal” A normal lens on a 35mm camera would be around 50mm. A 50mm lens on a 4×5 camera would be incredibly and obviously wide. On a 5×7 or larger camera it would be useless. A normal lens for a 4×5 camera is between 180mm and 150mm.
Another thing that is quite important, in particular when considering very large formats -8×10 and even bigger – is the lens coverage. The measurement for this is usually presented as the image circle of a lens. For instance, if you had to expose a sheet of film about 30 cm from corner to corner, then you would need to make sure that the lens you want to use could produce an image circle of at least 300mm. To make sure that you will not be leaving parts of your film unexposed you’ll need to take this factor into serious consideration, and keep in mind that the image circle can change depending on bellows extension and the distance you are focusing on.
There are other things to consider, some of which are not in the scope of this writing. But the web has plenty of pertainant information and great resources on the issue. Whatever the case, congratulations on your interest in this amazing and fulfilling area of photography and good luck with determining and obtaining the right large format lens for you.
About the Author
In addition to being an art student and avid photographer I am also the webmaster of TheLargeFormatLens.com. If you would like to learn more about this topic, including info on Schneider large format lenses, feel free to visit the site.
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VINTAGE SWIFT & SON LONDON RAPID 13 X 11 PARAGON BRASS LARGE FORMAT LENS $415.00 |
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LARGE FORMAT G.RODENSTOCK EURYNAR -ANASTIGMAT MUNCHEN 18CM 4.5 EARLY BRASS LENS $165.00 |
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EARLY BAUSCH & LOMB TESSAR 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 LARGE FORMAT SMALL BAREL LENS $75.00 |
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CCTV Security Camera 8mm 1/3″ Format IR Fixed Iris Lens $8.32 |
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Rodenstock-Rotelar Graphic 10″ 270mm 5.6 Large Format Camera Lens COMPLETE $399.00 |
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Mamiya RB67 Pro S Medium Format SLR Film Camera with 50mm Lens $999.99 |
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Nikon 1 Nikkor 10 mm f/2.8 Lens (Black) for CX Format 10mm Lens Kit $219.00 |
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Mamiya C 3 Medium Format TLR Camera with 80mm F2.8 Lens $400.00 |
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fuji photo optical fujinon W 300ｍｍ 5.6 Professional Large Format Lens #547 $450.00 |
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Surveillance Camera Lens 1/3″ Format 4 – 9mm Variable Focus with IR Cut Filter $5.00 |
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Zeiss Ikon camera Kolibri 3×4 cm for 127 format film without lens made in 1930-3 $49.00 |
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Hasselblad Sonnar Zeiss 150mm f/4 T* CF Medium Format Manual Focus Lens 206618 $122.50 |
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Lomography Diana F+ Medium Format Film Camera with Flash and Splitzer lens $40.99 |
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Cool Twin Lens Reflex Camera 35mm Format Needed Gakken Scientific Magazine $18.99 |
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Mamiya D 28 mm F/4.5 Lens for medium format camera $1,000.00 |
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Zenza Bronica Zenzanon-S 80mm 1:2.8 medium format lens FOR SQA MINT- $149.00 |
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6mm 1/3″ Format IR Fixed Iris Lens or CCTV Camera $8.16 |
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KILFITT GERMANY 135MM PRIME LENS 35MM FORMAT ARRI MOUNT GH2 PEN RED DSLR ZEISS / $1,325.25 |
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ELEC SHUTTER BRASS LENS 8X10 FIELD CAMERA LARGE FORMAT $49.99 |
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*Mint* Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Medium Format Film Camera with 80mm Planar Lens $2,550.00 |
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Fuji GSW690II Medium Format Rangefinder 6×9 Film Camera & Fujinon SW 65mm Lens $610.00 |
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CCTV Camera 3.6mm Focal Length 1/3″ Format Board Lens $4.66 |
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mamiya 210mm af uld F4 lens for medium format camera $300.00 |
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Caltar 85mm Push on Front Lens Cap Large Format $16.99 |
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PENTAX 67 6×7 SMC 45mm F4 Medium format Lens Excellent $458.00 |
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RARE VINTAGE CZECH Czechoslovakia LENS MEOPTA MEOPAR f4.5/210mm LARGE FORMAT $49.99 |
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Pentax 6×7 medium format 120 camera with 200mm f.4 lens $500.00 |
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Nikon 1 Nikkor VR 30-110 mm f/3.8-5.6 White Lens for CX Format $246.95 |
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CCTV Camera Replacement 1/3″ Format 4mm Board Lens $5.31 |
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Nikon 1 Nikkor 10mm f/2.8 White Lens for CX Format $246.95 |
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Large Format Multi-Lens Case – Just 7.8 ounces!!! $69.95 |
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Century Large Format Camera w/ Bausch & Lomb Volute Lens – No Reserve $301.77 |
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Fuji Fujinon-W 150mm f/6.3 150mm Large Format (4×5) Lens s/n126009 $100.00 |
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HOLGA 120 GTLR Twin Len Reflex Medium Format Film Yellow Plastic Toy Camera LOMO $57.79 |
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Zeiss Tessar 135mm 4.5 LArge Format Camera Lens $3.00 |
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Fujinon Large Format Lens Catalog & Price List: 1977; 2 Items $9.90 |
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L062 Carl Zeiss 210mm (21cm) f/4.5 Large Format Lens Elements $62.95 |
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Ilex Caltar 165mm F/6.3 Large Format Lens Cells Only (Tessar Type) 4×5 Sharp! $129.00 |
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Film Tested Mamiya C3 TLR Twin Lens 120 Film Medium Format Camera Body $64.99 |
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HOLGA 120 GTLR Twin Len Reflex Medium Format Film Purple Plastic Toy Camera LOMO $57.79 |
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Steinheil Kino-Cassar 36mm f 3.5 movie lens for 8mm format $49.00 |
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HOLGA 120 GTLR Twin Lens Reflex Medium Format Film White Plastic Toy Camera LOMO $57.79 |
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1/3″ Image Format Black 4-9mm Manual IR Iris Lens $15.31 |
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HOLGA 120 GTLR Twin Lens Reflex Medium Format Film Pink Plastic Toy Camera LOMO $63.79 |
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YAMASAKI 150mm 5.6 large-format objective lens in Copal 0 $149.00 |
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Mamiya Secor C 150mm f3.5 N Medium Format 6×4.5 Lens. Great condition. NICE1 $148.52 |
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Graflex XL Medium Format Film Camera Kit – 2 Bodies – 3 Lenses – 3 Backs – Case $521.00 |
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Nikon 1 Nikkor VR 10-100 mm f/4.5-5.6 PD-Zoom Lens for CX Format 3318 BRAND NEW $695.99 |
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Mamiya 6 Medium Format Rangefinder Film Camera w/ 75mm and 150mm lens $1,500.00 |
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ROLLEIFLEX TLR MEDIUM FORMAT CAMERA LENS HOOD SHADE BAYONET MOUNT ORIGINAL CLEAN $149.00 |
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Hasselblad 250mm f/5.6 CF T* Medium Format Manual Focus Telephoto Lens *w/Caps $629.00 |
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AGAT-18 half-format 35mm BeLOMO camera with Industar-104 24mm Tessar copy lens $37.62 |
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Schneider APO Symmar 150mm 150 mm f5.6 1:5.6 Large Format Camera Lens Exc++ $429.00 |
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BIOMETAR 2.8/80 Carl Zeiss Jena Lens for Pentacon Six, Kiev 60 Medium Format $99.99 |
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Yashica Mat-124G Medium Format TLR Film Camera WITH WIDE ANGLE LENSES $76.00 |
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MAMIYA C33 MEDIUM FORMAT TLR CAMERA BODY W/ f 55MM 1.45LENS $125.00 |
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Jos Schneider & Co. Kreuznach XENAR f4.5/16,5cm ANTIQUE GERMAN LARGE FORMAT LENS $399.99 |
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BRAND NEW Bronica S2A Medium Format SLR Film Camera with 75mm Nikkor Lens + FILM $612.92 |
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Sinaron W 90mm MC DB mounted large format lens $699.00 |
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Rodenstock Sironar-N 300mm 5.6 MC large format lens $549.00 |
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Mamiya RB67 Pro-S Medium Format SLR Film Camera Plus 50 & 127mm lenses, manual. $260.00 |
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METAL LENS CAP FOR VINTAGE MAMIYAFLEX-C PROFESSIONAL MEDIUM FORMAT TWIN LENS RE $24.95 |
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schneider symmar-s 480 f/4.8 Multicoated lens LARGE FORMAT *housing dented $152.50 |
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Vintage Foldex 20 – Medium Format With Meniscus lens Shoots 120 Film! $6.00 |
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Mamiya RZ67 Z 90mm 1:3.5 Professional Medium Format Film Camera Lens $295.00 |
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Hasselblad 500 C Medium Format SLR Film Camera with 80mm Lens Hassleblad bag $1,000.00 |
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Primo Jr. Medium Format TLR Camera w/ Toko 6cm f/2.8 Lens, Original Case & Caps $159.00 |
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Zeiss Ikoflex IIa TLR Medium Format 120 Film Camera w/ 3.5 Tessar Lens $220.00 |
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Wollensak 7 1/2″ 190mm f4.5 enlarging lens Format $89.99 |
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ANGENIEUX zoom 20-120mm f/2.6 Type 6X20 L2 Arri Mount Cine lens 35mm Format RED $2,599.99 |
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Pentax 67 6×7 medium format camera: body with two viewfinders, three lenses…. $888.00 |
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Mamiya C220 with Super 180mm and 80mm lens, medium format, used, film, camera $127.50 |
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Mamiya RB67 Pro S Medium Format SLR Film Camera with 65mm Lens $449.99 |
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Graflex Speed Graphic Large Format Camera w/150 mm lens $225.00 |
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3.7mm Focal Length 1/3″ Format Pinhole Fixed Iris Lens $4.66 |
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Mamiya M645 1000S Medium Format Rangefinder Film Camera/ 2 Lenses, case $400.00 |
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PENTAX 6×7 SLR MEDIUM FORMAT CAMERA WITH 150mm TELEPHOTO LENS & POLAROID BACK $355.00 |
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MAMIYA SEKOR C 150MM F3.5 N LENS FOR MAMIYA MOUNT 120 FILM MEDIUM FORMAT CAMERAS $99.99 |
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Lens Cap for MAMIYA SEKOR RB67 RZ67 RZ 67 RB 67 Medium Format Camera $8.95 |
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Pentax SMC 45mm F4 Medium format Lens. With Hood and Boxes $470.00 |
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Rare Fuji Fujica GW690 6X9 Medium Format Camera & EBC Fujinon 90mm F/3.5 Lens $649.99 |
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6mm 3/1″ Format Replacement Board Lens for CCTV Camera $5.00 |
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RODENSTOCK RODAGON 150mm f5.6 ENLARGER LENS 50mm thread medium or large format $157.14 |
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RODENSTOCK YSARON 150mm f4.5 ENLARGER LENS 50mm thread medium or large format $94.28 |
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AGAT-18 half-format 35mm BeLOMO camera with Industar-104 24mm Tessar copy lens $47.62 |
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Mamiya 7 Medium Format Rangefinder Film Camera with 80mm lens $1,200.00 |
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ISKRA Russian Medium Format Camera Industar 58 Lens $139.99 |
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Large Format 4 X 5 Fujinon W f/6.3 360 w/Copal shutter on ebony lens board $2,000.00 |
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Kodak Commercial Ektar 10 in. f/6.3 Large Format Lens $531.00 |
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Wray Series III 8¼in f6.3 Wide Angle enlarger Lens medium or large format digi? $157.14 |
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Fairchild Aerial Camera Metrogon Lens K-17 6 inch Cone High Speed Shutter F 6.3 $375.00 |
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3×4 Graflex R B large format SLR camera with Zeiss Kodak lens and film holders $179.00 |
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Rolleiflex 3.5 vintage medium format TLR 6×6 film camera Xenar lens $269.00 |
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Mamiya 7 II Medium Format Film Camera with 80mm Lens $1,740.00 |
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RARE VINTAGE WELL MADE ROSS LONDON 7 1/4 INCH XPRES F1:4.5 LARGE FORMAT LENS $265.00 |
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CCTV Camera 3.6mm Focal Length 1/3″ Format Board Lens $5.26 |
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MINT- A+ SCHNEIDER SYMMAR-S 210MM F5.6 MULTICOAT LENS 4X5 5X7 FORMAT WITH CAPS $319.99 |
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Mamiya 7/Mamiya 7 II 50mm f/4.5 Medium Format Wide-Angle Manual Focus Lens $1,269.00 |
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Mamiya 645 Pro Medium Format Camera Pelican Case Metz Flash 2 Mamiya Lenses $698.00 |
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Minolta Autocord Med. Format twin lens reflex with EXTRAS $32.00 |
