Product shot technique

[John C Murphy]

I am trying to increase the drama of some items I intend to sell on ebay, but I am finding it surprisingly difficult to get that "fisheye effect" that I desire. I am trying to make it look like the product is coming right at the viewer by enlarging the forward parts in relation to the rearward parts. I get real close with a 150mm lens and tilt the back to further increase the distortion. I am finding that it is not as easy as I expected to produce the effect. Anyone else with similar experiences?

[David A. Goldfarb]

Do you have a wider lens? That would be the way to produce a more dramatic effect, though of course it means bringing the camera even closer to the subject, and can make the lighting trickier (because the camera can get in the way of the lights).

[John C Murphy]

No, I don't have a wider lens. I could buy one...

[Gem Singer]

Hi John,

Assuming you are referring to the 4x5 format, perhaps you could rent a 90, or 120 wide angle lens to use for making that type of photo. Tilting the back for an extreme close-up shot usually causes a "keystone effect" and, you may be distorting the image too much with a 150 lens. It probably would be more practical to purchase a small digital camera to use for your E-Bay product shots than to purchase a lens for a 4x5 camera. At least you wouldn't need to scan the negs.

[David A. Goldfarb]

On the other hand, it doesn't hurt to own a 90mm lens for 4x5" for a variety of purposes. Do a search, and you can find lots of suggestions on the forum and the main lfphoto.info page on 90mm lenses.

[Frank Petronio]

Photoshop > spherize filter. It's only for web viewing, you can cheat.

[Ralph Barker]

Actually, if you're trying to sell the items, I'd shoot it straight, with normal perspective. Extreme perspctive distortion can be interesting visually, but it may hurt your sales prospects.

But, for the look you're after on 4x5, you might need to go to something like a 65mm or even shorter. On 35mm and digital, I use a 14mm rectilinear Nikkor.

[John C Murphy]

Since we're on the subject, what's the scoop on 90mm lenses? Super Angulon? Fujinon?

[Bob Fowler]

I was using an f/8 Super Angulon until I picked up an 90mm f/8 Ilex-Calumet Wide Field Caltar which I like much more. I sold the S.A. and made more almost 3 times what I paid for the W.F. Caltar!

[Jim Rice]

The 6.8 Gradagon MC (also available as a Caltar II-N MC) is a very nice, not insanely expensive 90.

[John C Murphy]

Bob,
You're a wealth of great tips. As I recall, you're the guy who told me about the Toyo 45M, which I now own two of, and love. The Caltars are so cheap, I could pick one up without any risk. The Super Angulons on the other hand are going for much more money. Thanks!