Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 21

Thread: Revised article by David Karp: Introduction to Lenses for Large Format Cameras

  1. #11
    Whatever David A. Goldfarb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2000
    Location
    Honolulu, Hawai'i
    Posts
    4,658

    Re: Revised article by David Karp: Introduction to Lenses for Large Format Cameras

    Quote Originally Posted by Alex Wei View Post
    Nice read for me. Thanks.

    A question, does any LF shutter has a self-timer?

    Alex W.
    Some Synchro-Compur shutters have self timers. Be sure the shutter is in good repair before trying it, because old ones will get stuck easily.

    Some have a "V" setting for the self timer, in addition to "X" for electronic flash and "M" for flashbulbs. These are easy to identify.

    Some have a button near the shutter cocking lever, and to use it, you have to slide the button out of the way to move the lever to the self-timer position. These are harder to identify from a picture, because some shutters have a similar-looking button to open the shutter for focusing.

    Older 90/6.8 Angulons and 90/8 Super-Angulons often have this type of shutter. It's kind of a long timer--about 15 sec.--so people can get a little uncomfortable waiting around for it. That's me with the baby--


  2. #12

    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Posts
    4,589

    Re: Revised article by David Karp: Introduction to Lenses for Large Format Cameras

    Quote Originally Posted by QT Luong View Post
    The 2nd edition of David Karp's Introduction to Lenses for Large Format Cameras has been posted. All constructive comments welcome here.
    Nicely done as a good place to start.
    Wilhelm (Sarasota)

  3. #13

    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    8,469

    Re: Revised article by David Karp: Introduction to Lenses for Large Format Cameras

    The discussion of telephoto lenses seems a little confused. David wrote "The second key difference is the location of the lens's optical center, also called its nodal point. Most normal lenses have nodal points located roughly in the center of the lens, near the shutter. In contrast, the optical center of a telephoto is located in front of the lens."

    This is wrong. A lens has two nodal points, and the one David is talking about is the rear nodal point. The idea of "optical center" has been floating around but I've never seen it defined and it isn't used in any of my "optics for complete idiots" books.

    The discussion on manufacturers focuses on ones who've been active fairly recently. This is nice, but since lenses don't wear out an older (and less expensive) lens can still be a good alternative to the relatively modern ones David mentions.

    The bibliography is too short, and for my money Kinglake is a bit, um, idiosyncratic. And it doesn't address the unfortunate fact that lens design has little to do with performance. Coverage, yes, image quality, no.

    More later,

    Dan

  4. #14

    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    God's Country
    Posts
    2,080

    Re: Revised article by David Karp: Introduction to Lenses for Large Format Cameras

    Aside from the few inconsistencies... well done, Dave!

    Thanks for the posting QT.

    Cheers
    Life in the fast lane!

  5. #15

    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    170

    Re: Revised article by David Karp: Introduction to Lenses for Large Format Cameras

    Quote Originally Posted by David A. Goldfarb View Post
    Older 90/6.8 Angulons and 90/8 Super-Angulons often have this type of shutter. It's kind of a long timer--about 15 sec.--so people can get a little uncomfortable waiting around for it. That's me with the baby--
    David, thank you. I just found the 'V" on my super angulon. Glad to see the baby getting a little bit bigger now. Wish you the best.

    Alex W.

  6. #16

    Re: Revised article by David Karp: Introduction to Lenses for Large Format Cameras

    David,
    I applaud your effort. In my opinion, your work is worthy of a revision. I mean this in a constructive, positive manner. I printed out your article this morning to read it before suggesting it to my nephew who is just starting with 4x5. (All 26 pages.)

    In my opinion, you are trying to cover too much territory. For a beginner, I would suggest leaving out (or perhaps placing in appendices) the sections on shutters other than 0 or 1 size Copal; lenses longer than 210 or shorter than 135; convertible and barrel lenses and much of the comparisons of the big three or four brands.

    I believe a beginner should start with a six element 210 lens and maybe a similar 135, both in Copal shutters. No siege mortar lenses in #3 shutters or packard shutters. No difficult to view and focus extreme wide angle lenses. Even if the student routinely uses very wide lenses with smaller formats, the 210 is a great teacher. Learn the format and the discipline of large format, and than add whatever lenses one likes.

    I like the section on lensboards and mounting shutters.

    I believe you have the heart of a fine article. I would like to see it condensed to about five pages at most.

    I have no doubt others will disagree with some or all of what I have stated. I submit this in the spirit of constructive encouragement for a worthy project and wish you well.

    Ken

  7. #17
    Darkcloth Fumbler
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    ventura, ca
    Posts
    263

    Re: Revised article by David Karp: Introduction to Lenses for Large Format Cameras

    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Schroeder View Post
    David,

    In my opinion, you are trying to cover too much territory. For a beginner, I would suggest leaving out (or perhaps placing in appendices) the sections on shutters other than 0 or 1 size Copal; lenses longer than 210 or shorter than 135; convertible and barrel lenses and much of the comparisons of the big three or four brands.


    Ken
    I think some improved organization might be beneficial. I find much the same with my office. However I still function when it's in disarray. Splitting the article into different sections might make it clearer. But as a relative beginner to LF, and a voracious reader, I'm just going to read those other sections anyway. It seems somewhat arbitrary to assume the beginner is going to like being told what *not* to think about. I'd want to know that there were other lenses besides the 210 that came with my monorail, so I can start seeing the possibilities. And also know the pitfalls, so that I don't rush out and buy every lens size under the sun (and in this dream, money grows on trees and I have my very own pony.).

    So sure, organize the article if it works better. What I'd *really* like is more information on just about everything, and I'll tidy it up in my mind if I have to.
    - matt haines


    Business.
    Pleasure.

  8. #18
    Film and Darkroom User
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Somerset, UK
    Posts
    130

    Re: Revised article by David Karp: Introduction to Lenses for Large Format Cameras

    Thanks David, interesting reading.

    BTW: The Wisner link does not work (unsurprisingly)

  9. #19

    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Posts
    4,589

    Re: Revised article by David Karp: Introduction to Lenses for Large Format Cameras

    Well done. Thanks.
    Wilhelm (Sarasota)

  10. #20

    Re: Revised article by David Karp: Introduction to Lenses for Large Format Cameras

    Two year old thread but yes, well done :-)

Similar Threads

  1. What 8x10 lenses to get?
    By Mike Tobias in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 39
    Last Post: 1-Jun-2018, 20:57
  2. Zeiss makes Large Format Lenses???
    By Sol Campbell in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: 1-Jul-2006, 11:55
  3. Best lenses combo for 6x9 cameras ?
    By Christiane Roh in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 23-Nov-2000, 00:40
  4. Trends in Large Format Lenses and Cameras
    By alice richard in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 21-Aug-2000, 07:29
  5. Finest lenses for 6x9 and 6x7 view cameras?
    By Francisco Diaz in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 14-Jun-1999, 18:26

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •