3.8  Brief Field Report:  Fuji Fujinon-C 600  mm

The Lens Vademecum identifies a Fujinon TS f12 600mm, a telephoto design for 4x5" format utilising 5 separate glass elements.This was reported as a new EBC Fujinon-TS in the British Journal of Photography 11/04/1980 p341 alongside a 400mm design lens for 4x5" format. 

History of Lens:  This is a modern Tessar type multi-coated lens.

Maximum Aperture:        f/11.5

Focal Length:                  600 mm

Image Circle:                   620mm

Shutter:                            Copal 3 shutter

Camera:                           Century whole plate camera

Lens Board:                    Custom for the camera

Filter Threads:                67 mm

Weight:                            575 g (weight from Camera Review site)

Summary of Visual Characteristics: Covers the whole plate format and allows for substantial movements.  The maximum aperture of f/11.5, which seems small in comparison to many modern lenses whose maximum apertures are f/5.6, f/8 and f/9, does not hinder the use of the lens as focusing is done wide open.  The picture below was taken with this lens.  There is no mechanical vignetting.  The caveat with this lens is having enough bellows draw to use it with your camera.  This is not likely to be a problem with a modern whole plate camera, but can be a problem with the Charten (or Charten-like cameras) or the Century cameras.  My Century camera has its rear extension, so it is not a problem for me to use.  I cannot use it on my Charten-like camera as its bellows is not long enough.

Image taken with 600 mm Fuji on Century whole plate camera

Recommended Application: General photography, landscape.  I use this lens to get close when I can't get close to the subject.

See also:   Kerry Thalmann's Fujinon Reviews

Other Fujinon lenses (requiring image circle >260mm):

Acknowledgements to Diane Maher for supplying details & lens data.  Table supplied by www.komamura.co.jp

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Comments, revisions and suggestions welcome.