Wide Angle Lens for Tall Buildings on Narrow Streets

[thomashobbs]

I'm really inspired by the photographs of architecture on the island Okinawa featured in the book, "House" by Japanese photographers Yu Ogata and Ichiro Ogata Ono. Here's a sample:

http://yoioo.com/photo%20okinawa%2002.html

It looks like they're using a wide angle lens with a HUGE amount of front rise. I actually like the aesthetic of the light falling off at the top, sort of a subtle reference to Atget/Walker Evans.

Assuming this was done with a 4x5, any guesses as to the focal length? 65mm? 90mm?

I'm working on a similar project of shooting 3-4 story buildings on very narrow streets. I'm not crazy about the way wide angle lenses distort space but I don't have much choice given the locations where I'm photographing. My preference is for a lens that's "just wide enough" and also lets me go crazy with front rise. Any recommendations? [for 4x5]

Thanks!
Thomas

[Daniel Stone]

hey Thomas,

Is there any possibility of attaching the camera to a 10ft step-ladder? that might help eliminate the need to use more rise.

Just remember, wide lenses generally have smaller image circles.

The Schneider Super Angulon XL 72mm and 90mm(both 5.6 max aperture) are stellar performers. For serious movements however, Schneider recommends using the center nd filter(which cuts your usable max aperture down 2 or 3 stops, making the lens effectively an F/11 or F/16), the filter helps to counteract the light loss towards the outside of the useable image circle, so your corners don't go so dark.

Your other option could be to use a 5x7 camera, and just crop later. Or even 8x10, with the 90mm S.A. Xl lens, and then crop it during scanning. You don't have to use a superwide lens with 4x5(unless you really want to), you can use a wider piece of Film.

here's a short video detailing what I'm talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OfzlIxzU7A
(skip to 3:30 for the details I'm referring to in this video, parts 1-3 are very informative by themselves too :)!)

cheers,

-Dan

[Ari]

Thomas,
You could have a look here:
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenses/LF4x5in.html
This will tell you the image circles of various lenses. As Daniel said, the 72XL is no slouch, but it does cost significantly more than a Fujinon 75.
Speaking of which, the Fuju 75 f5.6 is an excellent performer that might get you similar results to the link you posted, especially if money is an issue.