Optimum aparture for close-up portraits in 4x5

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OP

robrover

Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2016
Messages
40
Location
London, UK
Format
4x5 Format

Hsandler, thanks for the input. I checked, and the GG is facing the correct way.
 

Tobes71

Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2016
Messages
16
Location
Chichester, West Sussex
Format
Large Format
I shoot close-up portraits in 4x5 regularly. I shoot at F16 or F22, I have tried shooting at apertures wider than that and personally, I think you just get too many missed shots. On top of that, it is very tough on your sitter. I would also recommend putting your sitter on a tall stool, that made a massive difference for me, it cuts down hugely on wasted shots.
 

ransel

Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2009
Messages
219
Location
Southcentral VA
Format
Multi Format
The lens will stop down to f64 but I understand that it is best to avoid extreme apertures because they increase diffraction blur.
I don't think f/64 on a large format lens would be considered "extreme". As jnanian explained somewhere (I can't remember) it's not the f/number but the actual size of the aperture opening...I think. So, since f/64 on a large format lens is probably a larger opening than f/22 on a 35mm format lens, there is little chance of diffraction. I just measured my 50mm Jupiter-8 lens - f/22 is about 2mm in diameter. On my Fuji 180mm - f/64 is about 3mm.
 
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