How does one do Macro work in LF?

[CreationBear]

I'm curious if anyone has ever tried one of the better achromatic close-up filters (e.g. the Canon 500D) as a field expedient solution. Probably not the best option for technical, studio work of course, but I'm always looking for ways of leveraging my MF kit...

[Dan Fromm]

CB, there are many ways to get the magnification. Your suggestion has worked on 35 mm cameras, there's no reason why it wouldn't work on a roll film SLR.

That said, the big problem with closeup work out of doors is stability. This is where a small format SLR shines, especially with electronic flash illumination, and a view camera doesn't.

[CreationBear]

a view camera doesn't.

Thanks for the input--no doubt the DOF issues complicate matters as well. I was curious mostly because I've thrown a "bellows challenged" Horseman HF in the pack to take along on my hikes here in the GSMNP, though I expect my Fujinon 180A will get me close enough for any "detail" work I might want to tackle. (FWIW, I've only seen one reference to using the 500D on a LF lens--in this case, a Nikkor 270/6.3 T ED--but no sample images.)

[Peter De Smidt]

I believe that Craig Blaylock had a book on flower photography with a 4x5, often shooting about 1:1. As other have said, depth of field will be small. There will also be light loss from bellows extension that leads to longer exposures, which itself leads to problems with the subject moving. If I remember Craig correctly, he used to use a light tent in the field to try and minimize wind. It might also help to shoot at the time a day were wind is minimized. Exposure time could be reduced by using flash lighting setups, but this adds bulk and complexity. Shooting such pictures with large format successfully is a real challenge.

[Dan Fromm]

Peter, flash rigs don't have to be very complex. I've got decent flower shots on 2x3 with a 2x3 Graphic (not LF, but subject to the same problems as a 4x5 camera) lighted by a single hand-held Vivitar 283 with VP-1. Sometimes, when there's been no wind and I haven't moved the tripod or camera on tripod when closing and cocking the shutter, stopping down and inserting the roll holder.

[CreationBear]

Sometimes, when there's been no wind and I haven't moved the tripod or camera on tripod when closing and cocking the shutter, stopping down and inserting the roll holder.

Are there any labs that just charge for your E 6 "keepers"? At any rate, thanks Peter for the reference--if you were referring to Craig Blacklock, he definitely seems to turn out some nice work. I'll try to turn up the publication you mention.

[Dan Fromm]

Are there any labs that just charge for your E 6 "keepers"?

What a nice fantasy! I never found one.

[Mark Sawyer]

Are there any labs that just charge for your E 6 "keepers"?

With great film size comes great responsibility...

[Jac@stafford.net]

With great film size comes great responsibility...

That's almost worthy of a tattoo.

[Jac@stafford.net]

What a nice fantasy! I never found one.

That was popular in places of the US in the Fifties for consumer roll film processing. Those were different days when we had two mail deliveries a day, fresh milk delivered to the door ...