large format questions
Brian Diehm
>bag bellows if one uses a 90mm wide angle lens
>on a 4x5 (monorail view).
It depends upon how much movement (tilt, swing, etc.) you are planning on
limiting yourself to. If you don't have a wide-angle 90, then you probably
won't need the bag bellows, because the lens itself will be your limiting
factor. If you have a wide coverage lens (which you should), then you will
sorely feel the need for a bag bellows eventually. Of course, if you never
use the large-format movements, you'll never know the difference!
>In that vein, does anyone know the difference(s)
>between a 90mm wide angle Caltar and a Schneider
>90mm Super Angulon (of the same f-ratio)?
Until a few years ago, they were the same lens with different markings. Later,
Calumet changed their bulk-purchase agreement to buy Rodenstock equivalents,
and I'm not sure what Caltars are today. Generally, if you plan to resell the
lens, realize the Caltar name won't hold value as well as the name brand. But
if you only plan to take pictures :-) then the Caltar line is a pretty good
value. Avoid the older Caltar I series (tessar-type triplets, generally) as
they are garbage. Period.
>P.S. Are there any Graphic 4x5 users out there?
>Anyone have a wooden field camera they don't want,
>or one they like (I'm looking for recommendations
>and warnings, as well as possible sellers)
I purchased a Tachihara cherry-wood camera through Zone VI studios several
years ago, and loved it --- until it warped. Watch out, wood warps, and there
IS definitely one critical part of a large-format camera: the ground glass
must lie precisely upon the same plane as the film will when the holder is in
place. This is what warped. The camera is now useless, though when it was
working it was a wonderful tool. However, one time I had to borrow a monorail
camera to get a certain picture requiring extreme movements. The Wista 4x5 is
identical, I believe, and this warning applies to all the Japanese handmade
cherry wood cameras - Nagaoka, etc.
I now use the Calumet 540 monorail (the older Cambo design) and it is very
nice, though not so portable.
BTW, watch out for Zone VI --- Fred Picker personally refused to make any
adjustment on my $500 investment. Never bought anything from them since.
-Brian Diehm
Tektronix, Inc. (Opinions expressed above are personal, and do not necessarily
reflect any position taken by Tektronix.)
andyc
# Written 8:09 am Mar 18, 1986 by utastro!anand in hplsla:net.rec.photo
# ---------- "large format questions" ----------
>between a 90mm wide angle Caltar and a Schneider
>90mm Super Angulon (of the same f-ratio)?
Let me add to the previous response by saying that there may be some slight to
moderate differences in the specs for these lenses. Thoroughly check out angle
of coverage, et cetera for differences that may be important to you. (These
specs are in the Calument catalog along with some info on what they mean).
andyc @ hplsla
Documentation
I'm in the market for a new 6 1/2" lens for a Calumet 4X5. What I
need is a SHARPNESS - sheet film is just too damn expensive for
low-resolution optics. Any recommendations as to good brands, best
buys, most lines-per-inch-per-buck type lenses?
__________________________________________________________________
uw-beaver!ssc-vax
\
!cxsea!doc
/
mnetor
"As you like it!"
"Aye, we'll speak of that anon! And on, and on, and on...."
_________________________________________________________________
Marty Sasaki
format cameras, even with less than optimal optics. Having a camera on
a tripod, with the lens stopped down to it's optimal aperture gives
really good results. Remember too that an 8x10 is only a 2 diameter
enlargement.
Of course having a Symmar or Super Angulon is nice too :-).
--
----------------
Marty Sasaki uucp: harvard!sasaki
Harvard University Science Center arpa: sas...@harvard.harvard.edu
One Oxford Street phone: 617-495-1270
Cambridge, MA 02138