What's your favorite portrait lens?

Matt Clara

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Sep 12, 2002, 8:05:42 PM9/12/02

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Especially for 4x5 format.

Jean-David Beyer

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Sep 12, 2002, 8:19:22 PM9/12/02

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Matt Clara wrote:
| Especially for 4x5 format.
|
|
I use Nikor M 300mm and Wisner Convertable Plasmat at various focal
lengths depending on what I am doing.

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Sherman

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Sep 12, 2002, 9:35:30 PM9/12/02

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"Matt Clara" <no.email@thisguy's.expense> wrote in message
news:qZ9g9.88132$Jo.22908@rwcrnsc53...
> Especially for 4x5 format.
>

Matt,
I have just started doing portraits with my 4x5 and I find myself wishing
for something longer than my 210 for head and shoulders shots. I based on
comparisons with my 6x6cm gear I think a 300 or even a little longer would
be nice.

Sherman
http://www.dunnamphoto.com

Jeff Novick

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Sep 13, 2002, 1:49:49 AM9/13/02

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I use a 240mm Goerz Apo Artar and a 250mm Paragon. The Artar is a very
sharp lens with good contrast. Good for getting the stubble on men's faces.
The Paragon I use for women. A bit kinder. This focal length seems ideal for
what I like. I can work in tight spaces easily.

Jeff

Andrew Frith

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Sep 13, 2002, 8:26:20 PM9/13/02

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I'm interested in a good portrait lens for 8x10 (i like sharp
portraits)....19" goerz red dot?

thanks in advance
-andy

J. Burke

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Sep 14, 2002, 9:00:14 PM9/14/02

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I find that my recently acquired 480 mm APO Nikkor is very sharp but rather
hard to control focus and DOF for a close headshot (nothing new to LF). I
also have a barrel mount 19 Artar but I think a 360 mm may be a better
choice but can't say from experience. I assume the DOF and focus
difficulties for a non still life subject are just part of the LF
experience. I find my 300 mm actually does a great job for a full length
portrait.
I think even Jock Sturges (I really like those Irish children's
portraits) uses a 240 or 250 mm Fujinon lens for those images.
Keep in mind I'm new to the 8x10 format and prefer my 240 G Claron
(1st choice) and 300 mm (2nd) as portrait lenses in 4x5. By doubling the FL
for the format change I guess the 480 is closer to my preferred perspective
but using the 8x10 is not quite like using the 4x5 as the difficulties seem
to be magnified just as the format size is.
Or is it just me??????????
J.Burke

"Andrew Frith" <an...@sacredjourneys.com> wrote in message
news:3D82820A...@sacredjourneys.com...

Donn Cave

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Sep 15, 2002, 1:02:37 AM9/15/02

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Quoth "J. Burke" <burk...@peoplepc.com>:
...

| Keep in mind I'm new to the 8x10 format and prefer my 240 G Claron
| (1st choice) and 300 mm (2nd) as portrait lenses in 4x5. By doubling the FL
| for the format change I guess the 480 is closer to my preferred perspective
| but using the 8x10 is not quite like using the 4x5 as the difficulties seem
| to be magnified just as the format size is.
| Or is it just me??????????

Not at all. The larger format essentially means greater magnification,
in the sense that what might have been 1:2 is now 1:1. Focus extension
is accordingly greater, and the perspective is longer. At close range,
480mm is a longer lens on 8x10 than 240mm would be on 4x5. And of course
there are depth of field issues on top of that.

Donn