Originally Posted by
Drew Wiley
How long will your focus rack and bellows extend? That gives you a fair estimate of the longest focal length lens you can use at infinity. There are some additional tricks like racking things out a bit further using base tilts, or an extension lensboard, or of course, telephoto lens options. But once you get into a longer focal length than what is already under consideration, it's unlikely it will fold up within a folder style camera itself, depending. There are all kinds of "field cameras", with quite a range of specifications, so no generic answer is possible. Back when Graflex and Technical cameras were often used for press purposes, it was helpful to have a lens already in place ready to go; but otherwise, Bob S. said it right (and he represented Linhof Technika) - why risk it?
So now Helios, a second question would be whether one wants to a top-notch color film performance as well as b&w, or just good black and white results. A simple decision. If even contemplating getting into color, it makes sense for a person to get a fully modern lens with a high-degree of color correction to begin with, which will do both competently. Fuji A's are among those.
Thanks for posting your shot in question. All kinds of things could be causing the issue you're complaining about, not necessarily the lens itself. Even some lack of evenness in how the film is resting in the holder could do that. I dunno. Doesn't resemble any problem I've ever had. One needs to sleuth such issues a step at a time until they find the real cause. Your plane of focus itself might be a little out of whack. Did you check through your loupe that both the lower portion and the top at the spire were both in acute focus before the shot, and that everything was locked down well before inserting the holder? There are also some technique tricks that can help you attain better focus on points further afield in the image circle, which warrant some study. Some of that might have been already discussed on the Style and Techniques portion of the forum. If not, it can be. And unless something else is identified, causing your problem, I do suspect it's a specific focus technique issue, and one which can be explained later if needed. In the meantime, just try the same shot at f/32.
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