Large Format

[J Eddington]

Ok, Guys what is YOUR favorite lens and why.

[KJ Smith]

It would depend of the format.

On my 4X5 I tend to use a 135mm more than the others.

So far that is the only lens I have used with the 6X17.

You see quite a few folks argue between 135 and 150.

I got the 135 because it was the first one that came up on the used market when I was ready to buy.


Are you getting a LF?

LF lenses can be very confusing.

Rodenstock will have several lenses in the same focal length in different price ranges.

They were also produced under the Caltar name. But not all Caltars were made by them.

[venchka]

No rhyme nor reason.

My last two print exchange photos were made with Fujinon-W lenses: 125mm/5.6 & 250/6.3. I also own a Nikon 180mm/5.6 that I need to use more often.

Good luck.

[J Eddington]

I am pondering the idea. I want 8x10. But what is really important is the lens. What makes the sweetest photos.

[venchka]

Tell us what format & we can point you at a table of lenses with enough coverage for that format.
All lenses are not created equal. I have 125mm & 127mm lenses. The image circle of the 125mm is a lot bigger than the 127mm which barely covers 4x5.

[venchka]

Oh. Ok. didn't see that sooner. 8x10? You might want to look at ancient lenses. Anything made in the 20th & 21st centuries is going to be sharp. Valerie has an 8x10 camera. Lots of folks in your neighborhood do too.
Take a look...

Jim Galli's Tonopah Nevada Pictures

post "in Galli style" - Large Format Photography Forum

You might look around for fairly modern soft focus lenses too. I think Fuji made one. Not sure if it covers 8x10. Dollar General Store magnifying glass lenses are popular too.

Petzval will become part of your vocabulary.
Good luck.

[venchka]

A new line of Chinese pictorial lenses! - Large Format Photography Forum

X-ray film adds to the mood also. It is silly cheap.

[venchka]

If it's detail you want from 8x10, look at the work of Jim Kitchen. jim works out of Calgary. Needless to say he has good subject matter to work with.

Large Format Photography Forum - Search Results

[KJ Smith]

The 3 8X10 users, on this site, that I know of are Valerie, Henry Samson ( Hank ) and Drew Bedo.

They would be your best bet for good info.

As you go up in size, things become more expensive and a little harder to find.

Are you thinking studio or field?

[J Eddington]

I am in the dream world right now.
Yes I am thinking Studio AND field. I know two different birds.
I have been thinking of Dollar store! Which is fun and funky. But I can have that and other lens :), right!
"Petzval will become part of your vocabulary" it already is.

[venchka]

The University of North Texas would be a good resource for you.

[J Eddington]

This wedding is what is pushing me over the edge. Anti-Documentary | Doug Boutwell

[venchka]

Another 8x10 wedding. You could carve out a niche in DFW. And beyond.

Cowboy_Wedding

[J Eddington]

Only problem is I hate weddings!

[venchka]

hey, u posted a link to a wedding. Portraits?