Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: 4x5 Portrait Lens Recommendation

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1

    4x5 Portrait Lens Recommendation

    Hello,

    I've been out of the large format world for a few years now, but am brushing up and looking at purchasing some new LF gear. I've been reading up on lenses in particular and trying to understand what kind of lens would best suit my tastes. The options are staggering. I've attached a sample of what I'm looking for. This is an image from Quinn Jacobson's site. I understand that it's wet plate, brass lens, etc. What I'm looking for is a similarly shallow depth of field and similar subject framing at normal working distance to subject. I'd like this in a modern lens with a shutter. I've already looked into having a brass lens mounted into a shutter and that's starting to seem like an option that isn't likely to be a good fit for me. My preference is to go with 4x5, but I'm open to an 8x10.

    So if I wanted a head and shoulders portrait with very shallow depth of field, at a camera to subject distance of 5 or 6 feet, what would you recommend?

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	glassmem016.jpg 
Views:	112 
Size:	42.7 KB 
ID:	73329

    Thanks!

    Jimmy

  2. #2
    Unwitting Thread Killer Ari's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    6,286

    Re: 4x5 Portrait Lens Recommendation

    For 4x5, anything in the 210mm-300mm range.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jun 1999
    Location
    NE Missouri
    Posts
    328

    Re: 4x5 Portrait Lens Recommendation

    Quote Originally Posted by Ari View Post
    For 4x5, anything in the 210mm-300mm range.
    ditto. I like 210mm

    Richard

  4. #4
    mandoman7's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Sonoma County, Calif.
    Posts
    1,037

    Re: 4x5 Portrait Lens Recommendation

    I would guess that image was made from 8x10 or larger format, since there is a very narrow depth of field. Its difficult to achieve that look with 4x5, as there are really no choices that correspond to the F:3 or F:4's you find with some of the vintage 8x10 lenses. If you decide on 8x10 there are a lot of options, but most of those really wide aperture lenses do not have shutters, so that's another adventure.
    John Youngblood
    www.jyoungblood.com

  5. #5

    Re: 4x5 Portrait Lens Recommendation

    OP,

    the shallow DOF also has to do with the enlargement factor and viewing distance. How large will you be enlarging?

    The photo you posted looks to be a petzval, normal to format length (not overly long or wide), very close and wide open. You could duplicate the look with an 8" - 10" petzval wide open.

  6. #6
    Mark Sawyer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Stuck inside of Tucson with the Neverland Blues again...
    Posts
    6,268

    Re: 4x5 Portrait Lens Recommendation

    With a Petzval, you're seeing the curved field as much as the shallow depth of field. That's a big part of the look of the lens in that portrait.
    "I love my Verito lens, but I always have to sharpen everything in Photoshop..."

  7. #7
    multiplex
    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    local
    Posts
    5,358

    Re: 4x5 Portrait Lens Recommendation

    look for a 10" wollensak vitax and shoot it wideopen
    the 14" for a 5x7 and longer for 8x10
    the worst is to have your lens inches away from your subject

Similar Threads

  1. Lens recommendation for 4X5
    By crowgraphy in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 28
    Last Post: 27-Sep-2011, 19:09
  2. Portrait Film Recommendation Please
    By Pawlowski6132 in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 26
    Last Post: 21-Oct-2009, 10:29
  3. Portrait Lens Recommendation Needed
    By Pawlowski6132 in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 30-Sep-2009, 21:37
  4. Wisner 4x5 Technical—Wide Angle Recommendation & Portrait Lens
    By Mark Booth in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 11-Aug-2009, 08:13
  5. 4X5 Portrait Lens Recommendation?
    By Clement in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 26-Nov-2003, 06:57

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
  •