The Rodenstock Sinar Sinaron-S 150mm f/5.6 is a large format lens mounted in a Copal 0 shutter, sold under Sinar's house brand as a cherry-picked version of the Rodenstock Apo-Sironar-N — a lens widely regarded among large format shooters for sharp, high-resolution results across 4x5 and larger formats.
What makes the Sinaron-S special?
The Sinaron-S label isn't just a rebrand — Sinar hand-selected these lenses from Rodenstock's Apo-Sironar-N production line for above-average optical performance. The 72° angle of view and Copal 0 shutter make it a versatile choice for general large format work, from portraits to still life to field photography. The Copal 0 shutter is the most common large format shutter size, meaning accessory options like cable releases, lens boards and filters are easy to find.
Technical overview
The Sinaron-S 150mm covers 4x5 format with room for movements and works on 5x7 with limited movement use. It is not intended for 8x10 or larger formats, where a substantially bigger image circle is required. On 4x5, the 150mm focal length behaves roughly like a 47mm equivalent in 35mm terms — a natural, slightly wide standard perspective. The Copal 0 shutter accepts standard lens boards across Sinar, Linhof, Toyo, Wista and Arca-Swiss systems, and is straightforward to clean and calibrate.
Who is this lens for?
If you're shooting 4x5 and want a reliable 150mm standard large format lens, this is a natural starting point. Compared to alternatives like the Schneider Apo-Symmar 150mm or the Fujinon-W 150mm f/5.6, the Sinaron-S holds its own on resolution and is often easier to find second-hand at a sensible price. The Copal 0 shutter is clean to maintain and straightforward to have serviced by any competent camera repair technician.
Buying used large format glass
Buying a pre-owned large format lens makes a lot of sense — these lenses were built to last, shutters can be cleaned and calibrated, and glass quality rarely degrades unless physically damaged. Every used Sinaron-S on Camera-tweedehands.nl comes with a minimum 12 months warranty and is individually inspected and photographed before listing.
