Ordered a Intrepid, now looking for lenses.

[neildw]

So, in my new journey of shooting large format I just ordered an Intrepid camera.
I ordered it because the investement is pretty low on the body, and after that I can always still invest in a new body.. in some time.

So, the body is actually only the body. So no lens or trigger.

Now I'm starting my search for a lens.

I want to do two things.

Architecture (evening/time)
Portraits.

So any hints are welcome.

[Bob Salomon]

A lens for what purpose?

And you will need the proper lens board to mount it.

[neildw]

A lens for what purpose?

And you will need the proper lens board to mount it.

I described the purposes underneath my original post. ;-)

[Bob Salomon]

I described the purposes underneath my original post. ;-)

That you did, but portraits, head and shoulder, ¾ length are usually done with a longer focal length and architecture a shorter length.
Which is more important?

[Tin Can]

If it’s the 4x5 get a 150mm lens and mount in offcenter, meaning lower, Linhof lensboard.

[paulbarden]

So, in my new journey of shooting large format I just ordered an Intrepid camera.
I ordered it because the investement is pretty low on the body, and after that I can always still invest in a new body.. in some time.

So, the body is actually only the body. So no lens or trigger.

Now I'm starting my search for a lens.

I want to do two things.

Architecture (evening/time)
Portraits.

So any hints are welcome.

You didn't mention which format camera you ordered: 4x5 or 8x10? They use different lenses.

[William Whitaker]

Regardless of size, format or subject matter, ask yourself how you see the world. Do you see more in a wide-angle way or do you see perhaps more as a "normal" lens way?

Myself, one of my favorite perspectives is the "long side of the format". I like a 35mm lens on 35mm, for instance, or a 120mm lens on 4x5. Some say that's not good for portraiture and strictly speaking I would agree. But my favorite lens on Hasselblad (6x6) has always been the 60mm Distagon. Yes, even for people shots and some portraits. Now, don't go sticking the lens up their nose, but still, it can be very effective, especially as it will enable including some of the surroundings for a more "environmental" look. Similarly, Joel Meyerowitz made some very compelling portraits using a 250 Wide Field Ektar on 8x10.

Two lenses gives you a choice. The long side of the format and twice the short side is a nice combo which will cover a lot. On 4x5 that would be a 120mm and a 210mm. Excellent combination. For 8x10 double the focal lengths and approximate to what's available. Like the 250 WFE and a 16" Artar. But a 14" is a good choice, too, as is a 450mm.
It goes on and on....

But that's MY take on it. Give us a little more info.

[Vaughn]

You have picked a lightweight camera, so one might as well keep on that path with lens choice. A Caltar IIN 150/5.6 (in a Copal 0 shutter) is a bright little all-around lens for 4x5. There are some fine light-weight lenses for 8x10 at the cost of a stop or two...fine for most uses, but I prefer the heavier f5.6 or so for the low light under the redwoods.

[neildw]

That you did, but portraits, head and shoulder, ¾ length are usually done with a longer focal length and architecture a shorter length.
Which is more important?

At the moment, portraits are more important. As a beginning and from there on I want to see if I can introduce the large format into the photography I'm doing now.

You didn't mention which format camera you ordered: 4x5 or 8x10? They use different lenses.

It is the 4 X 5


I am looking at lens boards now, but I'm trying to figure out the meaning of this ''Copal #0/1/2/..'' means...
For each lens, you have a different lensboard, I guess.

[ottluuk]

...

I am looking at lens boards now, but I'm trying to figure out the meaning of this ''Copal #0/1/2/..'' means...
For each lens, you have a different lensboard, I guess.

This will get you started on basics: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenses-primer/