What is the difference in VIEW from 35mm to 8 x 10 with normal lens?

[ReginalsSMithe]

I've only used 35mm and MF cameras for years. When looking at photos made with an 8 x 10 there seems to be some effect on the perspective and view that I am trying to understand.

Given a 35mm with normal lens (say, 45mm), and an 8 x 10 with normal lens like 300mm, what happens to a scene in terms of perspective of elements from f/g to b/g? Are they different? How? Any help understanding this would be appreciated. Two pics to compare would be extraordinary!

Thanks in advance.

[Luis-F-S]

None, prespective has to do with camera position, not angle of view.

[Ted R]

Differences will be present in depth of field, depth of focus, light fall-off in the corners, sharpness in the corners, but perspective will be the same. Sorry no examples.

[Jac@stafford.net]

I've only used 35mm and MF cameras for years. When looking at photos made with an 8 x 10 there seems to be some effect on the perspective and view that I am trying to understand.

Instead of getting into the science first: after doing smaller formats for years I found the aspect ratio of LF, for example 8x10 and 4x5 to be oddly unfamiliar. The shorter dimension seemed wider because I was accustomed to 2:3 (for example).

[LabRat]

At distance, it is the same, except that in nature, if you cropped a let's say a 300mm normal lens view on an 8x10 camera to a 35mm frame size, you would see the same perspective "compression" you would see with your 35 or digital as distance flattens perspective...

WA lenses have some natural distortion across the FOV, and is more pronounced...

But normal to long lenses are the same perspective, just a different cropping of the FOV...

Steve K

[Jeff Keller]

LF format cameras enable you to tilt/swing your lens to change the plane of sharp focus. You are also able to tilt/swing the film plane changing the vanishing point (eliminate/exaggerate keystone effect).

jeff

[photog_ed]

LF format cameras enable you to tilt/swing your lens to change the plane of sharp focus. You are also able to tilt/swing the film plane changing the vanishing point (eliminate/exaggerate keystone effect).

jeff

You can also use rise/fall to prevent vertical lines from converging, as will happen when you point your 35mm up to capture tall trees or buildings.

[Drew Bedo]

Umm . . .did the OP mean to ask: " what is considered to be a "normal focal length" for LF?"

Is the op asking what lens is "normal"?

if that is the question, then that would mean something like 150mm for 4x5 and ~300mm for 8x10, I think.

[Bernice Loui]

What is "Normal" perspective aka normal lens..

Common answer, the size of objects in the foreground -vs- background as perceived by the unaided human eye. This can be achieved by altering the lens focal length -vs- format size and format ratio does have an effect on this to a limited degree. If set up properly, foreground to background object size ratio can be achieved with not too much difficulty. Essentially there is no difference in view between 35mm or other to 8x10 or other when lens focal length is properly chosen.

What is different, depth of focus, depth of view between smaller formats like 35mm -vs- 8x10 for a given lens focal length and aperture.


Bernice

[David Lobato]

Re-reading the OP, let's use the example of a modern well corrected 45-50mm lens for 35mm format and a 300 mm lens for 8x10. Doing a head and shoulders portrait at 3-5 feet distance with a lens set to f4 for both formats, the depth of field will be very different. The 45mm lens on 24x36mm will render most of the subject in focus. The 300mm lens also at f4 (lets say it's a fast Petzval type) will have severely limited DOF. Sharpness drop off will be very steep both front and behind from where focus is at. This is one reason for the unique look of the 8x10 format. As subject distance increases, say 15-30 feet there will be less of the steep drop off of OOF areas, given the same lens apertures. For infinity focus, example being setting up a photo from atop a butte looking down to the valley, there will be little difference and the whole subject will be very far away and DOF differences will be slight. Also any perspective differences will be minimal - if there are no camera movements made for the 8x10 photo.

Another thing people new to LF see, but sometimes can't put a finger on, is the extended tonal range from the big change in negative area. Shapes and objects can look smoother. But this is dependent on b&w film developing times and temperatures and film ISO settings.

Hope this helps.