4x5 Visualizer

Digidurst · May 2, 2005

Hi all

I have heard of people using 'viewing cards' to check out composition prior to setting up their LF cameras. I found this handy device at B&H but being the cheapskate that I am, there's no way I'm going to shell out the $$ for it.

My question is, if one wanted to make one of these gadgets, should the viewing hole be cut to 4x5 or smaller? Perhaps 2x2.5? And what if I wanted to add a string for my range of lenses: 150mm, 210mm, & 300mm?

Thanks in advance!

noseoil · May 2, 2005

The viewer I made (4x5) is out of brass rod for the frame and a brass strip for the slider to run along. I marked the strip in increments corresponding to my lenses (65, 90, 125, 180, etc). You can use any size you want, but if it is other than 4x5, the focal lengths for your lenses will have to vary accordingly and a 1:1 relationship will be lost. tim

Nick Zentena · May 2, 2005

Get a piece of cardboard and cut a hole 4x5 [assuming you're shooting 4x5] in it. Then tie a string to it. Tie knots in the string at the various focal lengths you own. So if you own 150,210,300 then tie three knots . Then hold the thing at the knot equalt to the lens you want to use. If you want to use the 150mm then hold the card so 150mm knot is at your cheek.

photobum · May 2, 2005

I will admit to having a 4x5 hole cut into the center of a black & white mounting board. I find that the black and white helps the framing. The potential scene sometimes jumps out at you with the differant framing colors. I cannot abide by the string. 150mm is 6 inches, 210=8, 300=12. If you can walk and chew gum at the same time you can figure out 8" from your eye.

Digidurst · May 2, 2005

photobum said:
If you can walk and chew gum at the same time you can figure out 8" from your eye.

LOL, well that ability is negligible at times! But that's sure simple enough - thanks!

Steve Hamley · May 2, 2005

I use a 3x5" card with a 4x5 proportion rectangle in it. The 6"-from-your-eye = 6" lens doesn't work of course, but you get a feel for focal length fairly quickly. It does allow you to check compositions and fits in your pocket.

Steve

Nick Zentena · May 2, 2005

Actually 210mm is 8 1/4" -) You'd be suprised how many people can't figure out sizes.

KenM · May 2, 2005

I made a frame, but I stopped using it when I realized that I was spending too much time using the frame, and not as much time making photographs. Granted, I had a camera that took a while to setup, so I think that had something to do with it. With my MT, it's very quick to setup.

There's something about using the camera to frame a photograph that is so much more natural, to me anyways. If I'm not sure about a prospective photograph, I'll use my thumb and forefinger to make a rough frame.

Ray McSavaney (who you may or may not know) religiously uses a viewing frame. He'll wander around, using the frame until he finds something he likes. He'll drop the frame on 'the' spot, fetch his gear, and get to work. It works for him. Pretty darn well too.

To each his own.

rbarker · May 2, 2005

I made mine out of a scrap of white/black matte board, as well. Being mildly anal, I made the cutout 96mm x 122mm, slightly smaller than 4x5, or the actual image area on the negative. In the same spirit, be sure to measure and tie the knots sequentially.

Now, if I can just get rise, fall, and tilts to work with the darned thing.

photobackpacker · May 2, 2005

Go 1/2 size and it will fit in your shirt pocket easily. The distance from your eye X2 is the approximate focal length needed. Even I can handle that math!

MurrayMinchin · May 2, 2005

I use a piece of plastic (rain proof) with a 4x5 hole cut in it. Attached to it is a string for each lens. At the end of each string is a knot that I hold in my teeth while composing that shows me what the camera will see when focused at infinity.

By taking note of what's in the bottom corners of the frame while composing with the camera, then putting them in the bottom corners of the "visualizer", I can know *exactly* when that cloud is nestled into the top left corner of the frame when the darkslide is drawn.

For subjects closer, it's pretty easy to guesstimate where to set up.

Murray

Ed Sukach · May 2, 2005

Now, all you have to do is to think up a good "standard" excuse for the times when you are asked "... Uh... What ..??"

Digidurst · May 2, 2005

Ed Sukach said:
Now, all you have to do is to think up a good "standard" excuse for the times when you are asked "... Uh... What ..??"

Cover it with alluminum foil and tell people it enables you to see the mother ship which is cloaked otherwise

Graeme Hird · May 2, 2005

Digidurst said:
Cover it with alluminum foil and tell people it enables you to see the mother ship which is cloaked otherwise

Love it!!!! Trouble is, when they see your camera on the tripod they'll believe you .....

mikewhi · May 2, 2005

I have a viewing frame. It is 8x10, made out of glass, and is attached to the back of my 8x10 camera<g>. I used to use a 4x5 cut out of a 18% gray card and used it like Ray McSavney. I do recommend that process, including dropping it on the ground to mark the spot. Now, however, I just use my eye and brain to visualize the image. I usually get the lens right in 1 or 2 tries at most.

I once bought one of those Zone VI viewing filters and thought it was junk.

-Mike

Digidurst · May 2, 2005

Graeme Hird said:
Love it!!!! Trouble is, when they see your camera on the tripod they'll believe you .....

All the better! They will become frightened and run away and then you'll be left alone to pursue your compositional bliss

MurrayMinchin · May 2, 2005

Ed Sukach said:
Now, all you have to do is to think up a good "standard" excuse for the times when you are asked "... Uh... What ..??"

Say what Ed? You mean you actually meet people while photographing? Holy overcrowding Batman, you should move to the Great North where I have never met another large format photographer in the field, and can count on meeting less than ten other people a year out in the bush. Bliss. Then again, your State probably has the same population as all of Canada, so you must be pretty much tripping over each other for good compositions...I'll beam you up!

Murray

Kirk Keyes · May 2, 2005

Ed Sukach said:
Now, all you have to do is to think up a good "standard" excuse for the times when you are asked "... Uh... What ..??"

"It's a Hasselblad, of course!"

rbarker · May 2, 2005

Digidurst said:
. . . They will become frightened and run away . . .

I've found that a rabbit-ear antenna attached to the camera helps in that respect.

Digidurst · May 2, 2005

rbarker said:
I've found that a rabbit-ear antenna attached to the camera helps in that respect.

Hey! A set of rabbit ears would be soooo handy to keep that dark cloth up and out of the way, wouldn't it!

rbarker · May 3, 2005

Digidurst said:
Hey! A set of rabbit ears would be soooo handy to keep that dark cloth up and out of the way, wouldn't it!

Yep. The only thing worse than darkcloth hair comes from wearing a baseball cap. That little tuft of hair that always sticks out above the adjustment strap is completely unmanageable! Plus, you can flip them over, and use the darkcloth as a lens shade - right before you "phone home".

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