briand@tekig4.UUCP (Brian Diehm) (03/20/86)
>I would like to know if one needs to use >bag bellows if one uses a 90mm wide angle lens >on a 4x5 (monorail view). It depends upon how much movement (tilt, swing, etc.) you are planning on limiting yourself to. If you don't have a wide-angle 90, then you probably won't need the bag bellows, because the lens itself will be your limiting factor. If you have a wide coverage lens (which you should), then you will sorely feel the need for a bag bellows eventually. Of course, if you never use the large-format movements, you'll never know the difference! >In that vein, does anyone know the difference(s) >between a 90mm wide angle Caltar and a Schneider >90mm Super Angulon (of the same f-ratio)? Until a few years ago, they were the same lens with different markings. Later, Calumet changed their bulk-purchase agreement to buy Rodenstock equivalents, and I'm not sure what Caltars are today. Generally, if you plan to resell the lens, realize the Caltar name won't hold value as well as the name brand. But if you only plan to take pictures :-) then the Caltar line is a pretty good value. Avoid the older Caltar I series (tessar-type triplets, generally) as they are garbage. Period. >P.S. Are there any Graphic 4x5 users out there? >Anyone have a wooden field camera they don't want, >or one they like (I'm looking for recommendations >and warnings, as well as possible sellers) I purchased a Tachihara cherry-wood camera through Zone VI studios several years ago, and loved it --- until it warped. Watch out, wood warps, and there IS definitely one critical part of a large-format camera: the ground glass must lie precisely upon the same plane as the film will when the holder is in place. This is what warped. The camera is now useless, though when it was working it was a wonderful tool. However, one time I had to borrow a monorail camera to get a certain picture requiring extreme movements. The Wista 4x5 is identical, I believe, and this warning applies to all the Japanese handmade cherry wood cameras - Nagaoka, etc. I now use the Calumet 540 monorail (the older Cambo design) and it is very nice, though not so portable. BTW, watch out for Zone VI --- Fred Picker personally refused to make any adjustment on my $500 investment. Never bought anything from them since. -Brian Diehm Tektronix, Inc. (Opinions expressed above are personal, and do not necessarily reflect any position taken by Tektronix.)
andyc@hplsla.UUCP (andyc) (03/25/86)
# Written 8:09 am Mar 18, 1986 by utastro!anand in hplsla:net.rec.photo # ---------- "large format questions" ---------- >In that vein, does anyone know the difference(s) >between a 90mm wide angle Caltar and a Schneider >90mm Super Angulon (of the same f-ratio)? Let me add to the previous response by saying that there may be some slight to moderate differences in the specs for these lenses. Thoroughly check out angle of coverage, et cetera for differences that may be important to you. (These specs are in the Calument catalog along with some info on what they mean). andyc @ hplsla
doc@cxsea.UUCP (Documentation ) (03/26/86)
I'm in the market for a new 6 1/2" lens for a Calumet 4X5. What I
need is a SHARPNESS - sheet film is just too damn expensive for
low-resolution optics. Any recommendations as to good brands, best
buys, most lines-per-inch-per-buck type lenses?
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uw-beaver!ssc-vax
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!cxsea!doc
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mnetor
"As you like it!"
"Aye, we'll speak of that anon! And on, and on, and on...."
_________________________________________________________________sasaki@harvard.UUCP (Marty Sasaki) (03/29/86)
I think you will be surprised at the results that you get with large format cameras, even with less than optimal optics. Having a camera on a tripod, with the lens stopped down to it's optimal aperture gives really good results. Remember too that an 8x10 is only a 2 diameter enlargement. Of course having a Symmar or Super Angulon is nice too :-). -- ---------------- Marty Sasaki uucp: harvard!sasaki Harvard University Science Center arpa: sasaki@harvard.harvard.edu One Oxford Street phone: 617-495-1270 Cambridge, MA 02138