Lens choice for new LF shooter...

[Blake Sims]

Hello all,

I just recently purchased a Calumet C-1 8x10 from the APUG classifieds. I'm thrilled with it so far, but I'm really just getting started. As I put my gear together I have a few questions. First, I think I'll get a survey tripod, and I saw someone here talk about how they modified the mounting stud to be the right size/threading. How exactly do you change this out?

Next, I am thinking about lens selection. I have 3 (or 6, depending on how you look at it) main interests. I know I'll need to get a few lenses for these divergent interests, but don't really know where to start.

1. We are expecting a baby Mar. 1 and I'm going to be ready to shoot close up portraits of him/her from day one!
2. General 8x10 landscape work. Sharpening my eye to the new format. Initially will want to do mainly contact prints, but I know I'll want to enlarge eventually.
3. I really want to do 4x10. Seeing prints from this format is what got me all jazzed about getting into LF in the first place. I'll start out with modified dark slides, nothing fancy.
4-6. Though I will probably start with b/w film, I know I'll want to shoot color very soon thereafter. So I'm pretty sure I'll need to get coated/multicoated lenses. I will probably experiement with the old, antique barrel lenses at some point but first and foremost I'm pretty sure I'll want something that will be good and reliable for color work.

Budget is (always) a concern so though I love to look at the best thing out there, I'll be buying in the mid-range.

Thanks in advance!
Blake

 

[John Koehrer]

I have changed the threads by filling the threaded hole with a 5/8-12 stud epoxied in place. Second step was to drill & tap for 3/8-16 or 1/4-20 & insert the appropriate stud. Spent more time to & fro the hardware than actual labor.

 

[colrehogan]

Portraiture with 8x10: Not as easy as it sounds. I did a workshop where I tried two lenses, one was an old brass projection lens and the other was a 19 inch (485 mm) Apochromat Artar. I don't recall whether it's coated, but at least I could get reasonable pics with it. The problem you may encounter is that lenses for 8x10 tend to be slow. My 19 in. lens above is at f/11 wide open. Fast lenses which cover 8x10 are generally big and expensive.

Color: I have shot color film with lenses that were only single coated (I even have used one whose glass has been discolored by radioactivity) and as far as I can tell, the images are just fine. I guess it depends on how discerning your eye is.

Budget: Color film can be expensive. Is there a local lab who will process 8x10 E6 or C41? If so, good. If not, you may have to mail your films off for processing.

 

[Blake Sims]

ok...

So John, am I understanding correctly that you filled, redrilled and tapped the hole on your camera rather than modifying the tripod? Interesting, hadn't really thought of that. I think I'd still like to find out if I could modify the tripod, seeing as how they're so cheap, unlike the camera.

And Colrehogan, yes, while I'm learning the new format and until I get the gear to do it myself, there is a local lab that does 8x10 b/w. Also, like a block away from that lab is one run by a friend that does C-41 and E6. I've been sending my 35mm E6 to him for years.

Thanks for the replies, keep 'em coming!

Blake

 

[John Kasaian]

For lenses, I'd look into:

14" Commercial Ektar---single coated. excellent color rendition, fast, large image circle, nice for up close portraits. A real work horse when it comes to 8x10 landscapes.

12" Dagor---superb for anything. Coating? What coating? It don't need no stinkin' coating. Never 'cheap' (unless its in an impossible shutter) but sometimes you can find them 'reasonable'

240mm G Claron---single coated, excellent color rendition, a large image circle if you stop down, interesting for portraits as it will pick up any imperfections of the skin but the focal length I find is flattering. It is very light weight if you'll be hiking ---but wait! You've got a Calumet metal monster---never mind!

19" APO Artar---big, heavy, simple beautiful! They'll yield negatives so sharp you can shave with 'em. Nice FL for portraits and "grand vista" type landscapes. Not cheap unless you find a barrel lens. Ones in shutters are rare and often quite costly---but IMHO worth it if not priced obscenely.

10"/250mm WF Ektar---another beauty. Single coated and needs a lens shade of some type. Takes series 9 fillters if you can find a slip-on adapter.Unlike the 240 G-Claron it is a big lens, but to my eyes yields smoother looking skin tones. Quite flattering. Lots of wiggle room at any aperture. Ansel Adams used one for more intimate landscaps so its got to be good! Probably runs the same if not more than a G-Claron.

450 Nikkor M---multicoated tessar ninja! Lots of sharp image circle---so much so that you'll swear its not a tessar but it is! A modern lens. A very useful focal length on an 8x10. Not a cheap lens and never was, but if you dig the 'new car smell' get one soon since they've been discontinued.

Those are my recommendations, There are certainly other outstanding lenses from Ilex, Wollensak and Schneider too, but I don't know enough about them to comment.

Good luck!