Lf Portrait Lens

[Hamish Gill]

I'm about to pay for a MPP 5x4 camera I have had only loan from one of @Pete Askew's mates for some time now... I have a 150mm for it, but i'd like a slightly longer lens for traditional portraits...

I'm not sure I know where to start really ... Anyone got any tips?

 

[David Mitchell]

Perhaps look around for some convertable lenses - also don't forget that an LF lens is around 3x equivilent 35mm length so a 50mm is a normal lens, I am guessing that something around the 300mm range might be good? You can get a 12" Aero Ektar lens

 

[Hamish Gill]

Convertible lenses?
I shoot with an 85 for portraits normally so was thinking a 300

 

[Pete Askew]

My favourite lens for portraits is a 9" Cooke lens (229 mm). I think you'll find 300 way too long and would aim at a 240 mm.

 

[Hamish Gill]

any thought on anything I might find a for small cash?

 

[Pete Askew]

How small @Hamish Gill

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/240mm-Lar...=UK_Lenses_Filters_Lenses&hash=item19e33d9d56

These usually go for £300ish.

I can lend you something to be going on with.

 

[Hamish Gill]

And that is a poor listing ... What with the make not being listed in the title ... I've bid the opening, will see what happens!

I'm surprised, given my track record you are ok with a loan?!

What were you thinking ... And is 300mm not around 80mm equiv to 35mm

 

[Ian Grant]

You'd struggle with a 300mm it's going to be are the end of the bellows extension and it makes the camera vulnerable to vibration/movement in even the slightest breeze.

I like something around 200-210mm and have an f6.3 210 Geronar (a modern MC triplet) that I've yet to use, the 210mm f5.6 Symmar is my first choice and I use one, Sironars are both worth looking at as well.

A great all round lens is the tiny 203mm f7.7 Ektar the UK version is fully #0 shutter compatible, there was one on ebay last week for £50 BIN. These lenses are coated Dialytes and well corrected from Infinity right through to close up work and very sharp. I use one with my light weight setup.

Ian

 

[Pete Askew]

It would be a super buy if you can get it for around that price.

A 'standard' lens on 5x4 is around 150mm. A 270 mm would give a similar angle of view to a 85mm on 35mm but 240mm is more commonly available. I do have a 270mm but I'm not sure if it is here or in Potsdam.

I can always wind some bubble wrap around it for you!

Thanks Ian.

 

[Ian Grant]

Just checked and the 203mm f7.7 Ektar went unsold at a BIN £45 and it's not been re-listed.

Good luck on that 240mm Hamish, I promise not to bid against you I had an older version which appears to have been stolen (along with some other equipment) by a lodger a few years ago, excellent lenses.

Ian

 

[Hamish Gill]

thanks for the advice both! I think £200 is probably the budget once I have paid for the camera (assuming it costs me what I'm expecting )
Cross fingers for me on that symmar, and thanks for not getting in on the action ian

Bubble wrap is ok, but, you're a clever chap Pete, can't you invent me some sort of anti gravity device? that would be better!

 

[Ian Grant]

I would like a 240mm Symmar again because they cover 10x8 (and 18x24cm) and would be very useful, and are very practical on a 5x4 camera.

Go get this one if you can Hamish, but don't pay over the odds.

Ian

 

[Pete Askew]

I created a thread that looks at focal length, extension and image size @Hamish Gill.

http://www.realphotographersforum.com/forum/threads/large-format-lenses.14417/#post-110453

I didn't have a 240m to hand and so the longer one in the thread is 270mm. I'll try to find time to do a more comprehensive (and more professional-looking) version once I'm back in Potsdam.

 

[Ian Grant]

That 240mm lens went for Peanuts !!!! I held off to let you guys and gals bid

Ian

 

[Hamish Gill]

I know I was with clients and even excused my self to go and bid but missed it ... I was so annoyed at my self!