Does anyone have comments on or experience with the Fuji W 90mm f8? I am considering it for 4x5 work, but cannot find any information on it. At around $400 it sounds like it could be a good deal, but only if it proves to be sharp, etc. The seller mentioned that the image circle is around 220mm. Any help is appreciated? Should I try this one out or move on to a better known, proven model? Thanks.

-- John McDonald (jmcd@napanet.net), May 18, 2002

Answers

John, I recently purchased a Fujinon 90 f8 SW, and have been very pleased with it. I bought mine from Jim, at Midwest Photo Exchange (MPEX.com). Jim makes regular trips to Japan, and hand picks Fuji lenses, both new, and used. My Fuji is mounted in the latest type Copal shutter. Fuji lenses are excellent. They have been around for a long time. They haven't had an import distribution dealer in the U.S.A. for quite a while. That's why they sometimes appear to be an off brand. There is an entire "cult" of Fuji users out here. A used one, in excellent condition, $400 price range,in a Copal shutter, seems like a real deal. If it is in a Seiko shutter, it is only a good deal. Kerry Thalmann is the expert on Fujinons. I hope he chimes on this thread.

-- Eugene (TIAGEM@aol.com), May 18, 2002.

Well, I'm sure Kerry will pipe up - he is the "fuji man"... but in my limited experience, Fuji make some of the best LF lenses - they just don't market them in N America.

I just got a lovely, used, 250mm 6.7 wide angle for my 8x10, and I only just got one batch of film back, but it looks pretty darn good so far (it's also single coated).

tim a

-- Tim Atherton (tim@KairosPhoto.com), May 18, 2002.

Love those Fuji lenses. I also acquired with the help of Kerry, a 250mm 6.7 Fuji lens and previously got a 450 C with contributors assistance from this forum. The incentive was size and weight as I was in dire need of smaller footprints and lower weight relative to Copal #3's and 95mm filters that had got me to that point.

It was an answer to a prayer as they are marvelous in sharpness and contrast. If the lens is on good shape, I would snap it up. Surely as good as anyting else available. You will not be sorry. Why Fuji does not do more here in the states is beyond me. I have a brother in Japan that regularly checks in for me about Fuji and they are continuing to stay the course with their lenses for large format. Good Luck.

-- Michael Kadillak (m.kadillak@attbi.com), May 19, 2002.

We Japanese LF photographers usually consider Fujinon first, then alternatives would be Nikon or Schneider or Kongo... Fujinon has got best reputation in Japan. Don't worry about getting Fujinon, they are very good lenses.

-- Ken Itoh (KEN@clara.oc-to.net), May 19, 2002.

Well, the lens arrived in clean condition today. The specs are a little different than I had been told by the seller, so I thought I would clarify. The lens is a Fujinon SW f8 90mm in a Seiko shutter. This corresponds to a lens on Kerry Thalmann's Fuji page. Now it is time to test the lens!

-- John McDonald (jmcd@napanet.net), May 24, 2002.