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I found the older version of the 90mm Roddy to be rather poor, and I'm not alone in that, judging by the pressure put on Rodenstock to up their game in the 90mm by Alpa. A 2 or 4-way stitch on the (new) 90 suits me just great for angle of view, and gives truly stunning results to the extreme corners on a MAX.Also, with the back you are using, I would still consider the older versions of the 90mm Rod, the HR or the Apo-sironar digital. Both have the pink bands, and are very good lenses and 125mm image circle. Rodenstock took the latest version, the yellow band down to 120mm. For me just too expensive for a focal length I don't use that often. The yellow band requires an extension piece between the back and camera, unlike the earlier versions. The Rod 105 works without any extensions.
I have the 60SK, and would say that my experience is totally 180 from the other comments. Extremely sharp on center and the only lens I own that will shift to 25mm and hold up for a large print. You need the center filter if you are going to take it that far out. I have used it on both 80 and 60MP backs with great success. I also believe Guy Mancuso owned one and used it for a while on his IQ160.
Paul
Hmm, really? I have the 90HR-W with the blue ring and it's AWESOME - maybe not yellow ring $8k uber awesome but until I got my 23HR I didn't realize how sharp a lens could be. My 47 APO Digitar, 35 APO digitar and 150 APO digitars are also no slouches but the Rodies (and a 72XL I just traded) are just a notch above perfection.I found the older version of the 90mm Roddy to be rather poor, and I'm not alone in that, judging by the pressure put on Rodenstock to up their game in the 90mm by Alpa. A 2 or 4-way stitch on the (new) 90 suits me just great for angle of view, and gives truly stunning results to the extreme corners on a MAX.
NarikinI expect there is some sample variation, and maybe you have a good one Graham, in which case, lucky you!
Yesterday I printed an 8x5ft print (64x96") from a 4way stitch -90mm HR, IQ180, Alpa MAX. The file has *no interpolation* at all - pure pixels, no made up ones! It is amazing edge to edge, corner to corner. So, Yes we are talking prints here, not pixel-peeping.
You are right about small print sizes, but I don't think people would bother making multi panel stitches for small prints. Or at least I wouldn't.
Hi Michael,
I've found SK 60mm XL is an exceptional lens with great sharpness and huge image circle. It's absolutely not just an OK lens.
I may just lucky as my copy was handpicked by our Guy. Mine is in a Cambo mount.
Pramote
There is a tale about a contractor coming to fit out a kitchen for a difficult customer who had many, many demands. At the end of a long negotiations, the contractor explained how they had been in the business for 40 years, and the customer could have it however they wanted: Highest Quality, Completed Quickly, Economically Priced. Just choose any 2...
The same thing applies to optics - you can't have it all
This is all I was trying to say about the SK60. It is a totally unique lens for its exceptionally large image circle and very high quality across that circle. It has normal speed at f5.6, and a price that most people would think is pretty high. ($6000 or so in USA). You can buy another 60mm lens by Rodenstock - the Digaron-S, that has effectively no extra image circle, is a but slightly sharper within that smaller circle for straight shooting, it is a full stop faster at f4, and is half the price of the SK.
So... its simple: if you want a 60mm lens and shoot stitched or with movements, then the SK is the one for you. If you shoot straight nearly all the time, or have another lens, like a 50mm or 70mm for stitching, then you will probably find the Roddy 60 is more suited.
Dave , that is called generous roundup , independant of CHF , $ or € .:ROTFL:In Alpa mounts and CHF,
Sk60xl 5,195
Rodi 60hr-s 3,753
So Alpa does charge a premium, but the Schneider is not twice the price. I have noticed lately the forums are putting an expansion factor on these lens prices though. I recently saw a thread with the 90hr at $10,000 (it is 5,993 in an Alpa mount). Makes me think I should sell all my lenses and buy a new set. Maybe I could buy an extra lens with the proceeds.
Dave