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ThePenguin
2-Jul-2011, 09:28
Does the dallmeyer 3b cover 8x10? It seem like an interesting portrait lens. If it doesn't is there any similare that will?

eddie
2-Jul-2011, 10:55
I like the perspective of longer lenses. A 14-16 inch lens is a "better " portrait length IMO. That is a 3a. A 16 inch f4 lens. Many people use a 3b though.

Pete Roody
2-Jul-2011, 15:00
check out alex's portraits in july portraits. 3b on 8x10.

Petzval Paul
2-Jul-2011, 20:08
The plates Alex has posted (not really 8x10's but close enough) are more in a "macro" mode, not what would traditionally be considered portraits. Certainly you won't find many 19th century (when the 3b was invented and at the height of its popularity although it was produced well into the 20th) portraits with such a perspective. Dallmeyer recommended the 3A and 4B for whole plates and the 4A (an 18" model) was recommended for 8x10's.

Mark Sawyer
3-Jul-2011, 00:02
Keep in mind that the 3b went through an evolution, and that there are different versions, even with slightly different focal lengths.

eddie
3-Jul-2011, 00:14
Yeah, and most are shorter....like 10 or 10.5 inches......

ThePenguin
3-Jul-2011, 03:03
It's Alex's portraits that got me thinking about the Dallmeyer 3b, I really like the look of them.

alex from holland
3-Jul-2011, 08:03
Although my plates are a bit smaller the 3b works fine if you like dark corners.
BUT, a 3b is not the holy grale. I never use the softfocus option on that
Lens.
If you like a petzval look there are many lenses which can be used which are MUCH cheer
Mine is just a bit more than 10 inch. There are many more lenses in that range which will give you the same look. Like darlot, hermagis or even no name lenses

Alex

Jay Decker
3-Jul-2011, 08:18
I like the perspective of longer lenses. A 14-16 inch lens is a "better " portrait length IMO. That is a 3a. A 16 inch f4 lens. Many people use a 3b though.


Obviously a matter of personal choice, but I favor the aesthetic of longer lenses for portraits. And, I generally tend prefer a little more depth of field for portraits. One of the lens that I recently "discovered" is the Dallmeyer 4D, which has a 17-inch focal length, a maximum aperture of f/6, and it fits nicely on a 6x6 lensboard for use with my 8x10 Kodak 2D. Here are a few 8x10 images taken with Dallmeyer 4D mounted on a 8x10 Kodak 2D...


http://www.monkeytumble.com/tmp/Lauren03.jpg

http://www.monkeytumble.com/tmp/Lauren02.jpg

http://www.monkeytumble.com/tmp/Lauren01.jpg

http://www.monkeytumble.com/tmp/Lauren04.jpg

alex from holland
3-Jul-2011, 08:27
Really nice Jay!

Problem with collodion : it is sloooooow
That's why i need a fast lens and short bellows when possible.
But as said before, it's also a matter of taste.

Alex

Petzval Paul
3-Jul-2011, 09:36
With such a short FL we have to factor in loss of light due to the bellows extension. Also such a narrow dof means lots of missed exposures... at least for me :) Personally I'd shoot for a 3A or 3D which would be cheaper (since the 3B is officially a cult lens now) and give me more flexibility. I sold my 3B since it was too difficult to get an image I liked on a whole plate. With an ~11 inch FL, a 3B provides a wide angle view on 8x10 and I just don't think makes a good portrait lens - especially for $2,000 - or whatever they are going for these days. But, to each his own.

Jim Noel
3-Jul-2011, 11:19
Does the dallmeyer 3b cover 8x10? It seem like an interesting portrait lens. If it doesn't is there any similare that will?

I think you need to ship it to me for trial so that you can be certain of its qualities.
Jim