Vintage & Modern Whole Plate Lenses

This page is a reference list of lenses which whole plate format photographers on the Column have

experience of.  The compilation is intended for reference in helping build up a database of lenses

which are compatible with the whole plate format.  Thus, if a new whole plate format photographer 

is interested in a lens, specific user experience can be asked for in the discussion column. 

>> Which contemporary Whole Plate standard lens shall I start off with?

Qualitative reports on specific lenses are detailed in section 3.x [click <<Pages>> on the right

column to access Index]  All the lenses listed below are known to cover  whole plate format

[259mm or 10 1/2 inch approx] covering power with no/before movements are applied] at f22/infinity*

NB: I have calculated the image circle as 259mm and not 266mm: the whole plate negative on both Kodak Eastman and Chamonix

film holders permit a usable image circle less than 266mm (actual diameter of image area is  closer to 259mm than 266mm).  Given

this proviso, the lack of technical and micrometric scales for set up for most whole plate cameras entails a practical use of a lens

covering at least 266mm.  For further details on specific lenses, click on the activated links.

Convertibles:

Hermagis Trousse Aplanastigmatique [2 cells] Casket Set**

Bausch & Lomb Anastigmat 16 1/2 inch, convertible to 7 1/2", 8 1/2", 14" and 16 1/2"

Ilex Paragon 8 1/2 inch (215mm) f4.8 convertible to 355 [also Calumet branded]

Wide:                                                                                         

Schneider Super Angulon 90mm XL f5.6***  (Limitations)              Rodenstock 180mm Apo Sironar-S f5.6             Wollensak Series II 8 1/4"  f4.5                                              

Nikon Nikkor SW 120mm f8.0                                                            Ross (London) Anastigmat 8 1/2 " f4.5               Schneider Kreuznach Xenar 240mm f4.5

Goerz Dagor Series III, No. 2, 7 in. (est. 180mm) f6.8                      Voigtlander Heliar 210mm f4.5                               

Standard:

Busch Aplanat 10" f8.0                                                                     Goerz Dagor 12" f6.8                                                    Kodak Ektar 300mm f6.3

Crown Anastigmat Series I (est. 270 mm)                                       Boyer Apo-Saphir 300mm f10.0                                  Fuji Fujinon 300mm CMW or L f5.6

Nikon Nikkor W 300mm f5.6                                                              Nikon Nikkor M 300mm f9.0                                        Auvoux, Paris  270mm [est.] No.3  

Taylor Hobson Series III Whole Plate 11.18" f7.7                            Wollensak Velostigmat 300mm f5.6 Soft Focus        Fuji Fujinon 300mm C f8.5

Telephoto:

Rodenstock Apo-Ronar 360mm f9.0                                                Ross (London) Anastigmat 15" f3.8***** (est.)

Voigtlander Braunschwig Heliar 360mm f4.5                                  Lancaster Rectigraph 12x10" [16" est.] f10.0

Ross Homocentric 15" f8.0                                                               Taylor Hobson Cooke Process Anastigmat Series Vb 460mm f8.0

Ross Extra Rapid Symmetrical 400mm f5.0                                    Schneider 355 mm G-Claron f9.0

Taylor Hobson Cooke Apotal Anastigmat 14" f9.0                         Zeiss Docter Wetzlar Apo-Germinar 450mm f9.0

Fuji Fujinon C 600mm f9.0

                                                                                                                               Above data supplied by H Bennett, RJ Lam, D Maher, C Walden

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Acknowledgements to Peter K from the LF forum for the following data on standard 8x10" format lenses:

The vintage Schneider Super Angulon lenses [Focal length > 120mm]  cover at least 266mm without movements.

Schneider Super Angulon 120mm f8:  Image circle covers 290mm at f/16  [Centre filter No. IV + 77mm to 82mm step-up ring].
Schneider Super Angulon 165mm f8:  Image circle covers 300mm at f16. *NB - weight = 1.4kg

Schneider Super Angulon 210mm f8:  Image circle covers 500mm at f16. *NB - weight - 2.2kg 

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 *       NB - usable whole plate image varies for format orientation/application of movements 

**       Requires Waterhouse Stops. What are "waterhouse stops"? 

***     Preliminary use indicates that the baseboard/ rail will obstruct the field of view due to the short lens distance. 

****   Taylor Hobson Series III lenses marked 'half-plate' with focal lengths around 7-8 inches are reported to cover

         whole plate format when stopped down.  

*****  Requires lens brace due to weight of optical glass. 

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Photographers' lens reviews/features can be authored and created using Page 7.2

Feel welcome to submit whole plate lens data below or on separate page.