Seeking Clever Idea For My 8x10 Camera & Vintage Lenses

[LFLarry]

Hi, I have been working though how to start using sheet film (i.e., FP4, T-Max 100) with my vintage lenses that don't have a shutter.

I could go down the path of getting a behind the lens Packard Shutter installed on my Kodak 2D, but I want to explore a different approach first. I will likely go down this path at a later date.

I tend to photograph landscapes, buildings, old barns, cars, streams, etc. so a slow shutter speed has been working just fine for me in my current process. I have been using RC paper negatives rated at EI 6 or 12 and Ortho 25 sheet film in very early morning light or at sunset to keep my shutter speeds around 1 second or slower.

I made handmade lens caps for my lenses to act as my shutter and it works just fine. But with wanting to use sheet film and expanding the times when I can photograph will require some method of controlling the shutter speed.

I have a Lee Filter Hood System that has 2 slots for filters. It would be really nice to be able to use my Red, Orange, Yellow filters along with an ND filter to help keep my shutter speeds in the 1s range or slower. I was thinking about designing some type of approach to mount my Lee Filter Hood system to my various barrel lenses but there is still one issue that I haven't thought of a solution for yet and I need your help.

I think I can most likely come up with a clever way of getting the Lee system on many of my barrel lenses but when gaining the ability to use my filters, I will lose my ability to use my homemade lens cap as my shutter.

Any easy/clever ideas that you can think of that may work?

The most obvious approach that occured to me was to get some type of thick art board/paper that will perfectly fit in the filter slots of the Lee Hood system and use that as my new shutter, but that will limit me to using only 1 filter because the second slot is used for the shutter. It may be the only choice, but I know there are a lot of really smart photographers here, so I wanted to get your opinions...

Thanks!!

[Tin Can]

Some, such as Horseman made behind the lens filter holders, meaning inside the camera bellows.

I bought one one but removed it and never tried it.

It would require perfect filters...

Packard shutters are very easy to install inside a camera. I have them in at least 3 cameras that did not come with them. A huge lens board helps, but tiny also works...

[LFLarry]

Hi, thanks for the info. I would like to approach the Package shutters as my next option after I get a solution to the above mentioned. In regards to Packards, how are you personally managing the limitation of the 1/25th shutter? I know there are various techniques that can be employed, but would love to know what film you are using and what shutter speeds you are able to effectively use?

Some, such as Horseman made behind the lens filter holders, meaning inside the camera bellows.

I bought one one but removed it and never tried it.

It would require perfect filters...

Packard shutters are very easy to install inside a camera. I have them in at least 3 cameras that did not come with them. A huge lens board helps, but tiny also works...

[Tin Can]

I use X-Ray at 50 asa, FP-4+ at 100 asa and HP5 up to 800 asa.

The shutter is always about 1/25th. Sometimes i need multiple pops.

I also shoot mostly with strobes in studio, so that allows more control.

ymmv

Hi, thanks for the info. I would like to approach the Package shutters as my next option after I get a solution to the above mentioned. In regards to Packards, how are you personally managing the limitation of the 1/25th shutter? I know there are various techniques that can be employed, but would love to know what film you are using and what shutter speeds you are able to effectively use?

[peter schrager]

I use a neutral density filter. .6 will get you there

[Two23]

I too use ND filter. Or, shoot Lane dry plate ISO 2. Or now shoot wet plate.


Kent in SD

[John Kasaian]

Lee makes a gel snap filter holder held on with a rubber band like bunches of asparagus and broccoli are bound with---no "hood." I think there are two sizes, one for 3x3 Lee polyester gels and one for 4x4 gels and they'll attach to the rear of your lenses if the rear of the barrel protrudes past the lens board, allowing you to rear mount the filters and front mount a Packard or use the lens cap
I hope this helps.

[reddesert]

Sliding a artboard mask into the filter holder to act as a shutter will be clumsier than the lens cap. Try using a hat as your shutter. A black fleece or felt hat works pretty well - for fleece, make sure it's tightly woven enough to be opaque. It only has to stay on the lens long enough for you to put the dark slide back in.

[LFLarry]

Hi Kent. Thanks for confirming the ND filter.

As described in my post, I am purposely trying to use sheet film because I have done all of the other stuff (RC paper negatives, hand made my own ordinary and ortho emulsion for paper negs and dry plates, ortho film, wet plate, and so on...). The goal is to get some unique 8x10 negatives so I can make big silver gelatin enlargements.

Thanks!

I too use ND filter. Or, shoot Lane dry plate ISO 2. Or now shoot wet plate.


Kent in SD

[LFLarry]

Hi John, that is very helpful. I will go over to the B&H Website and see what I can find.

Lee makes a gel snap filter holder held on with a rubber band like bunches of asparagus and broccoli are bound with---no "hood." I think there are two sizes, one for 3x3 Lee polyester gels and one for 4x4 gels and they'll attach to the rear of your lenses if the rear of the barrel protrudes past the lens board, allowing you to rear mount the filters and front mount a Packard or use the lens cap
I hope this helps.