Rodenstock Apo Ronar 360mm f/9

These are less expensive than most lenses and do a fine job. If one does have need of close up then it's a no-brainer. The image circle is small for the focal length, I recommend you go for the 480mm if you want some room to move.

This lens can be had for cheap in barrel form. Do not be afraid of the formula, it does quite well at infinity.

By the numbers it is not designed for what most people photograph. The color correction is quite specific for three color process.

Dagor, Paragon, I have not tried it against an Artar

I have not had a problem, The beauty of fixing one of these to the front of a shutter (see: SK Grimes web site)is that if the shutter goes you can still shoot using a piece of dark cloth as a shutter.