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Thread: Any Tips On Photographing From Overhead With A 4x5

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  1. #1

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    Any Tips On Photographing From Overhead With A 4x5

    Ive been trying to make some still life photographs looking down onto the subject but I find it extremely difficult to compose the scene and focus when balancing on a chair with a dark cloth looking at then ground glass.

    Anyone got any experience photographing from above ?

  2. #2
    Jac@stafford.net's Avatar
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    Re: Any Tips On Photographing From Overhead With A 4x5

    There are mirrors that slide over the lens, rather like a lens shade with a 45° surface mirror. There are sometimes available process lenses with the mirror built-in. That way you just leave the camera level over the subject. Oh, and if you find or make one that mounts the lens in front of the mirror it will also act as a lens extension.

    Another method but requires the camera vertical - a right-angle ground glass viewer - not ideal for your situation.

  3. #3

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    Re: Any Tips On Photographing From Overhead With A 4x5

    Quote Originally Posted by Jac@stafford.net View Post
    There are mirrors that slide over the lens, rather like a lens shade with a 45° surface mirror. There are sometimes available process lenses with the mirror built-in. That way you just leave the camera level over the subject.
    .
    Now I like the sound of that. Are these a commercially made item

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    Jac@stafford.net's Avatar
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    Re: Any Tips On Photographing From Overhead With A 4x5

    Quote Originally Posted by IanBarber View Post
    Now I like the sound of that. Are these a commercially made item
    Sure. Click on the links in my post.

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    Re: Any Tips On Photographing From Overhead With A 4x5

    Quote Originally Posted by Jac@stafford.net View Post
    Sure. Click on the links in my post.
    Sorry, I missed the links, thanks

  6. #6

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    Re: Any Tips On Photographing From Overhead With A 4x5

    I'm not sure of your setup, but a simple, easy-to-get, front-surface 90 degree mirror might do the trick. These screw into the front of the lens. You rotate them to get what you want in the picture. Some common names are Squintar and Spiratone Circo Mirro-Tach. The sell on E**Y all the time for about $15. There is one up there right now. I have two, so I don't need one.

    They typically come in either a fixed filter thread or a series size, so you will probably need an adapter to your lens filter size -- easy and cheap to get. The ones I have will work for any filter size up to maybe 67mm, but they are not designed for wide angle lenses. That might be a problem for you.

    It would be easy to set up -- the camera points straight forward and the lens points straight down.

  7. #7

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    Re: Any Tips On Photographing From Overhead With A 4x5

    Do you have the link to the one you have seen please

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    Re: Any Tips On Photographing From Overhead With A 4x5

    Quote Originally Posted by IanBarber View Post
    Do you have the link to the one you have seen please
    Sure, here's the one I see:

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-SPI...kAAOSwdx1aDdun

    but if you look down on the page you will see links to several others of the same sort.

    Make sure the mirror is in perfect condition and check to see what the rear thread and/or adapter is.

  9. #9

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    Re: Any Tips On Photographing From Overhead With A 4x5

    A simple scaffold setup as used for painting walls makes it much safer to be beside the camera and up off the floor.
    ” Never attribute to inspiration that which can be adequately explained by delusion”.

  10. #10

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    Re: Any Tips On Photographing From Overhead With A 4x5

    Unless your subject is rather large or you need a wide angle of view, I'd keep your two feet on the ground.

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