480mm with 4x5

[Darryl Roberts]

Hi,

Do you know when I shoot my 480mm lens, Nikon Nikkor Apo f/9 (which casts a huge image circle) will there be vignetting issues since it is such a long focal length?

Thank you.

I've posted the reference photos, captured wit the Mark Viewfinder App

 

[abruzzi]

probably not, because you're only using a small bit of the image circle, though make sure the bellows doesn't sag into the image. However with all that extra light, you may get reduced contrast from the light bouncng around inside the bellows. That's where a compendium hood comes in handy.

 

[jimjm]

Does your bellows extend far enough to use a 480mm lens? Not many 4x5 cameras will extend past 400mm, although some monorail cameras might.
My 4x5 field camera only extends far enough to use a 350mm lens at infinity.
If your subject is any closer than infinity, you'll need to extend the camera/bellows even further to focus.
If your camera is designed to use a 480mm lens, the bellows should also be designed to avoid any vignetting.

 

[xkaes]

There are different kinds of vignetting. Vignetting can be caused by several things. You need to be more specific. You haven't even told us what camera and film format you are using.

 

[abruzzi]

Well, he did say 4x5 in the title, and based on previous posts, I’m guessing he’s using an Sinar F2 with a pair of bellows (he posted a previous thread asking about a middle standard for an F2.)

 

[xkaes]

That's probably a good guess, but I still have no idea why he is concerned with vignetting -- let alone what type.

 

[Darryl Roberts]

Does your bellows extend far enough to use a 480mm lens? Not many 4x5 cameras will extend past 400mm, although some monorail cameras might.
My 4x5 field camera only extends far enough to use a 350mm lens at infinity.
If your subject is any closer than infinity, you'll need to extend the camera/bellows even further to focus.
If your camera is designed to use a 480mm lens, the bellows should also be designed to avoid any vignetting.

Yes. I have 610mm of rail and bellows

 

[Darryl Roberts]

Well, he did say 4x5 in the title, and based on previous posts, I’m guessing he’s using an Sinar F2 with a pair of bellows (he posted a previous thread asking about a middle standard for an F2.)

Yes, a three standard setup.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Darryl,

I don't see any vignetting in the shot in your post #1 above. The 480/9 Apo-Nikkor covers 409 mm at infinity, slightly more than 4x5's 150 mm diagonal. So I don't understand what's worrying you.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

No, not unless the bellows is sagging then it could cause vignetting. When you are set up, you can easily check. Look through the front of the lens and see if you can clearly see all four corners of the ground glass. If the bellows is "close" to the top corners of the GG, I would prop it up with something.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Darryl,

I don't see any vignetting in the shot in your post #1 above. The 480/9 Apo-Nikkor covers 409 mm at infinity, slightly more than 4x5's 150 mm diagonal. So I don't understand what's worrying you.

That was a reference shot with the aid of some app...

 

[Darryl Roberts]

No, not unless the bellows is sagging then it could cause vignetting. When you are set up, you can easily check. Look through the front of the lens and see if you can clearly see all four corners of the ground glass. If the bellows is "close" to the top corners of the GG, I would prop it up with something.

Thank you much.

 

[ic-racer]

Yes bellows sag can be difficult to detect prior to exposure. You might have to get down on your knees to detect it at working aperture. Either through the GG or the clipped corners.

 

[grat]

Someone once mentioned a brilliant idea of looking through the open lens, to see if you can see the corners of the GG clearly. I've found it to be the easiest way to see coverage.

I assume it would show bellows sag as well, but my camera doesn't have enough draw for it to be an issue.

 

[MarkS]

Can't imagine it ever being an issue. Just make sure that your middle standard is adjusted properly.

 

[Tom Taylor]

I don't think that you have to get down on your knees or up on a ladder to see if the bellows is sagging into the frame or if the lens covers. I Just set-up the camera to take the shot with the bellows support on the underside and then lower (or raise) the camera to eye level and look through the lens to see the corners and if the bellows is intruding.

Thomas

 

[DREW WILEY]

Whaaaat ?? That lens should easily cover 11X14 film, probably bigger still when duly stopped down. Depends on amount of movements, specific f-stop etc. Your bigger problem will be keeping it well shaded since there is going to be a massive surplus of image circle with 4x5 film. As far as official published specs go, keep in mind that they're in reference to very stringent apo graphics repro standards at f/22 - way tighter than conventional photo standards. So the real-world image circle is going to be considerably bigger than the published one, especially at smaller stops than f/22.

Mechanical vignetting due to bellows sag or whatever needs to be accounted for and corrected independently.

 

[Neil Poulsen]

Yes. I have 610mm of rail and bellows