What is a Large Format Lens?
If you are wondering what is a Large format lens, you have come to the right place. Here you'll find out everything you need to know about the types of lenses available, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. You'll also learn which lenses are best for different kinds of photography.
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Canon
Large format photography or macro lens has been around for a while, and there are several lenses on the market. Some of them are made by large companies, and others are created by third-party lens manufacturers. Depending on your particular photographic needs, you may want to mix and match to get the best shot.
For example, there are two excellent large format lenses currently available from Cooke Optics. Their 450mm f/12.5 Fujinon C is a great choice for landscape photographers. They also manufacture a range of lenses for 8x10 cameras. The company has also introduced two good large format lenses, the 150mm f/5.6 APO-Sironar-S and the 240mm f/9.0 G-Claron.
Aside from a wide range of lens options, large format photographers have a lot of freedom when it comes to selecting and attaching their equipment. In many cases, they can pick up a used lens for a reasonable price. This is a great way to try out the latest tech without breaking the bank.
Another option is to rent a lens from a commercial rental service. Some have return privileges, so you can try a wide variety of lenses before you buy. You can also rent lenses by the month or week, depending on your budget and preferences. Many of these services have a side-by-side comparison feature, so you can make an informed decision.
If you're interested in the technical aspects of a large format lens, you might want to consider reading up on the different types of large format lenses, their specifications, and their construction. There are a number of publications, including Specs for New Large Format Lenses, the Large Format Photography Forum, and even Rudolf Kingslake's A History of the Photographic Lens.
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Nikon
The Nikon large format lens was produced in five different series. They include the "M," "T," "AM," "SW," and "C" series. All of these are compact and lightweight. If you are a landscape photographer you might want the 90mm f/8.0 Nikkor SW or 450mm f/12.5 Fujinon C. These are the workhorses of the lens world.
You will also find a wealth of older classic lenses. Depending on your needs, you may be in the market for a portrait lens, such as the Canon f/22, or a Fujinon APO-Ronar telephoto. Some of these can be found at a reasonable price. Other lenses are more expensive and are discontinued.
In addition to Nikon, there are several other lens manufacturers. For example, Cooke Optics produces a series of 4x5 lenses. Another is the Linhof lens. There are even private label lenses available.
To figure out what the best large format lens is for your specific photographic needs, you'll want to do some comparison shopping. This is not difficult because there are several good sources for information about the lens industry. One good source is the Large Format Photography Forum.
Another useful resource is Jim Stone's A User's Guide to the View Camera. It's not a large book, but it is a nice introduction to the field.
Lastly, you might have heard of the Schneider 240mm f/9.0 G-Claron. This is a popular choice among landscape photographers.
Fujinon
Fujinon is Fujifilm's in-house lens brand. The large format lens from this company are popular, but they are not widely available in the United States. However, there are several retailers who directly import the lenses and they often sell them for very reasonable prices.
A few of the more popular Fujinon large format lenses include:
The Fujinon "A" series of lenses are smaller and lighter, and they offer good correction. They are also well suited for landscape and macro photography.
The Fujinon SF Soft Focus 250mm F/5.6 Copal 3 lens has a wide image circle and produces sharp images at smaller apertures. Its focal length is also a bit shorter, so it's suitable for close-up work.
Fujinon large format lenses are made in Japan. They can be a little hard to identify at first, but once you get a feel for them, they're easy to use. One of the most convenient things about the Fujinon line is that you can usually find a small, lightweight filter that will fit on them. This makes it possible to take advantage of the many benefits of large format lenses while still retaining the convenience of a small filter.
The Fujinon XC class of X-Mount lenses are budget oriented. They feature plastic barrels, slower apertures, and lack aperture rings. These are usually bundled with lower-priced mirrorless cameras.
You can learn more about the design of these lenses from the Large Format Photography Forum. There are also some technical books on the subject, including A History of the Photographic Lens by Rudolf Kingslake and A User's Guide to the View Camera by Jim Stone.
Sinar
If you're a large format photographer, you're probably familiar with Sinar. This Swiss company makes some of the best large format cameras around, and the Sinar large format lens is no exception.
The Sinar p-slr kit is a great way to get great shots in the studio or on location. It includes a quick-release adapter, allowing you to switch between portrait and landscape formats with ease. In addition, it gives you the control you need to achieve undistorted angles and selective sharpness.
Another excellent option is the Linhof large format lens. They're manufactured by Rodenstock, and are nearly identical to their counterparts. You can even add your own name to the lens ring.
For the ultimate in versatility, you might want to try the Sinar Norma. This monorail large format camera can be adjusted for 4x5, 5x7, or 8x10. It also includes an extension rail and a Burton backpack.
Other good options include Cooke Optics, which has just introduced two new large format lenses. Also, some photographers choose to buy packs and cases. However, you can usually pick up a nice used large format lens for a reasonable price. Unlike 35mm and DSLR lenses, you don't need to shell out for a top of the line case.
The best large format lens is one that fits your needs. Some manufacturers like Schneider and Cooke have a wide variety of options, so you'll find something for every kind of photographer. But if you're looking for a particular lens, there's a good chance you'll have to do a bit of research.
Linhof
Large format lenses can be found in a variety of sizes. These days, manufacturers like Schneider and Fuji produce a full range of lenses. A couple of other companies, such as Cooke Optics, have also introduced lenses for smaller formats.
While there are a number of lens manufacturers, the top dog is undoubtedly the Fujinon large format lens. Although the Japanese firm doesn't have a major presence in the United States, some retailers import their products directly. In fact, a number of them even carry a few of their most popular lenses, at very competitive prices.
Other top large format lens makers include Sinar and Rodenstock. It isn't surprising to find that many of these companies have a joint venture. Their lenses can be used on their own cameras, or on cameras from other manufacturers. However, the true power of these particular brands may lie in the combination of lenses they can offer.
One of the more interesting features of this particular camera is the Frankenstein-like appearance of the back. This feature, in particular, allows you to readjust the lens, the shutter and other elements of the camera for other uses.
The Linhof MF-300 is an example of a well-crafted camera, perfect for a rangefinder-focused action shot. Its sturdy die-cast body is ideal for use on location or in the studio.
Another nice feature is the International Graflock spring-back with revolving swing frame, which improves wide-angle efficiency. Additionally, there is a lift-up flap that is useful when you need to go from a wide-angle to a close-up view.
Cooke Optics
If you're looking for a high quality anamorphic lens for your large format camera or like FA lens, you need to check out Cooke Optics. This British lens manufacturer is known for producing some of the best cinema lenses in the industry.
Cooke's lenses are ideal for a variety of film applications, including feature films, commercials, visual effects, documentary, television, and more. They're colour-matched and easy to maintain. And, they come in several focal lengths to fit a wide range of production needs.
Cooke's S7/i series of lenses are well-balanced for astigmatism and lateral aberrations, providing a superior image. These PL-mounted lenses are suitable for professional motion picture cameras. The lens's large barrel diameter allows for greater focus markings. It also offers control of veiling glare.
Cooke's Anamorphic/i Full Frame Plus primes are the latest additions to the company's full frame anamorphic lens line. Available over the next 12 months, these primes will include a T2.3 iris drive gear and /i Technology. Each lens also features flare and oval bokeh.
/i Technology captures frame-by-frame digital information for post-production. Cooke's lens data can be synced with other /i compatible accessories. Many other companies are adopting the protocol, including Canon, Blackmagic Design, and Panavision.
Cooke's /i Technology system is accessible from a cable connector near the lens mount. Using the system, the lens can record digital information, such as shading, inertial tracking, and lens metadata.