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Thread: Modern portrait lense for 8x10

  1. #1

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    Modern portrait lense for 8x10

    I'm looking for a good portrait lense to cover 8x10. I'm not into soft focus lenses. I want a really sharp image.

    Here I found two images that I like
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/mat422...in/dateposted/
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/mat422...in/dateposted/

    Here is the description of the photos
    Tachihara 8x10
    Schneider Symmar-S 360 f/6.8
    1/125th sec. @ f/11ish
    Kodak EPN (expired 3/05) @ ASA 80
    E6 Process

    What kind of film+lense combo do you recommend to have really sharp portraits?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Unwitting Thread Killer Ari's Avatar
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    Re: Modern portrait lense for 8x10

    360mm lenses of that ilk are very sharp, but also quite large and heavy, so be forewarned. But any of them will give images of excellent quality.

    At 8x10, almost everything is grainless, so choice of film is up to you; slower films (100 ISO or less) are better in that respect.

    The best way to achieve sharpness is with a solid tripod/head combination, and using proper technique.

    http://www.largeformatphotography.info

  3. #3

    Re: Modern portrait lense for 8x10

    Isn't this where the Dagor excels in? Relatively small size comparing to Plasmat and yet still very sharp?

  4. #4

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    Re: Modern portrait lense for 8x10

    Quick Answer.

    Re: 'Dagor'.

    No. Not necessarily...

    Richard, a forum 'search' will provide you...
    With 'Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Dagor Sex' -- But were afraid to Ask!

    site:www.largeformatphotography.info Dagor
    Last edited by Taija71A; 31-Jul-2015 at 20:22.

  5. #5

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    Re: Modern portrait lense for 8x10

    @Taija71a there is no reason for "use search" type of answer. OP's question is legit. he is asking for our recomendations and not for tips on where to search

    Kanishka, all modern Plasmats for 8x10 are good! As Mr. Tapiero pointed down side is that they are in #3 shutters and usally around 1.2kg with 95mm or even 110mm fronts... that aside they are really sharp, good corner to corner and really resolution for this big format. some smaller Japanese glass like Fujinon W or A will perform grate stopped down 3 stops... at the moment my portrait 8x10 is 300mm APO Symmar-S that i really love despite the size. it looks grate on all Color materials and i hade really good and faithful color reproduction. hope this helps

  6. #6
    Peter De Smidt's Avatar
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    Re: Modern portrait lense for 8x10

    Remember that doing such tight head shots on 8x10 will be close to working at 1x magnification, and so you'll need double the focal length for bellows extension. For instance, for a 360 lens, you'll need about 720mm of extension. You'll also lose a lot of light, which can make focusing a challenge.
    “You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.”
    ― Alexander Den Heijer, Nothing You Don't Already Know

  7. #7
    fishbulb's Avatar
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    Re: Modern portrait lense for 8x10

    *Cough* I'd say you should get a Nikon 360mm f/6.5 ;-)
    -Adam

  8. #8

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    Re: Modern portrait lense for 8x10

    "APO Symmar-S" ???

    As discussed below... The 'progression' of Schneider 6E/4G Plasmat Lenses
    (from Earliest to Latest)
    was:

    'SYMMAR', 'SYMMAR-S', 'APO-SYMMAR' and 'APO-SYMMAR L'.

    http://photo.net/large-format-photography-forum/00CrPb

    --
    Luka, we of course know what you 'meant' to say...
    But the OP 'may or may not' know all of this.

    Thank-you! -Tim.

  9. #9

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    Re: Modern portrait lense for 8x10

    Thank you guys for all the answers. Reading the opinions of each of you from the experience with different lenses really helps me

  10. #10

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    Re: Modern portrait lense for 8x10

    How modern?
    The 360mm Symmar and the 14" Commercial Ektar were the standard in the 50's 60's and 70's and plenty sharp when stopped down. OTOH you could try 355mm G Claron, now that's dangerously sharp! Especially if your sitter doesn't have a porcelain complexion.
    "I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White

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