~210mm to ~300mm magnification

[cynan]

I've been dredging *bay for a number of months now, looking for a lens: A Pertzval type, brass, not too expensive and the correct size to fit my FKD 18x13. I finally bid and won an old magic lantern 'no name' with a slot for stops - after a clean it looks great 'Jamin Paris' is pencilled 'round one of the elements and it's focal length is roughly 210mm.

Now here's the daft question.:rolleyes:

I want to take 'head shots' with this lens in 4x5, but as it's in the 210mm area it will probably give my subject a big nose. Is there a close-up add-on that will get me closer to 300mm on an old 210mm lens without affecting the 'swirly bokeh'?

I want to avoid buying/collecing more lenses at the moment, and would like to get as much use out of this lens as possible.

Thanks

 

[noseoil]

I think the 210mm length should be fine for portrait work with 4x5. This isn't too short, but should give good results. With 180mm, my 4x5 shots are fine, so 210mm will be a good choice. Give it a try and see what happens. Best, tim

 

[Ole]

Another important question is whether your camera can handle a 300mm Petzval at all!

The big brass lens to the left here is a 14" (roughly 355mm) f:3.5 Petzval, with a 4x5" Speed Graphic for scale. That lens was made for "Cabinet Cards", quite a bit smaller than 5x7"...

Anyway you'll be working fairly close for portraits, and you'll get lots of that nice swirly stuff around the edges with a 210mm.

 

[jimgalli]

Bets possible advice is to get off the couch and go make some pictures with it. I think you'll be pleased with it just as it is.