Wide Angle Lens, technique and gear

[willwilson]

Am I asking too much for an easy to focus wide angle for 4x5, not 90mm but 75mm or more? I have tried several variations of camera and lens. I always find myself guessing about corners or dark areas or exact focus. Granted, I have gotten pretty good at it over the years but I'd really like to improve my setup if possible. I'd also like to not have to purchase a bunch of gear to figure it out.

My current setup: Chamonix F-2 4x5, 75mm Rodenstock Grandagon f4.5.

What is your ultimate wide angle and super wide angle setup currently?



-=Will
www.willwilson.com

[Lachlan 717]

What loupe are you using?

[willwilson]

Good question, tried lots. I haven't seen a big difference for wide angle work though, YMMV. Currently using a Rodenstock 4x.

-=Will
www.willwilson.com

[mhayashi]

Try using the Maxwell wide angle Fresnel lens on GG if focusing is the problem for you.
What is a resulting exposure on the film with your setup?

Search in the forum threads to find about Maxwell screens. There are the types for wide angle and normal focal lengths. I bought mine more than 25 years ago.

E.g. of searches:
https://www.largeformatphotography.i...monix-Maxwell)

[xkaes]

Corners get dark with wide-angle lenses. You can easily deal with this by using the center of the focusing screen to get what you want in focus -- then reset the composition. The corner will still be dark, but in focus.

Perhaps a better approach is to use DOF scales:

http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/dof.htm

[willwilson]

Try using the Maxwell wide angle Fresnel lens on GG if focusing is the problem for you.
What is a resulting exposure on the film with your setup?

Search in the forum threads to find about Maxwell screens. There are the types for wide angle and normal focal lengths. I bought mine more than 25 years ago.

E.g. of searches:
https://www.largeformatphotography.i...monix-Maxwell)

Good thread. That may be an option to try. Is that what you use for wide and ultra wide mhayashi?

-=Will
www.willwilson.com

[mhayashi]

Um, I don’t know the current line up but Bill Maxwell told me mine is optimized for 75mm focal length, which is great for my Super Angulon 72mm XL. The corners are bright.

[ic-racer]

easy to focus wide angle for 4x5, not 90mm but 75mm or more? I have tried several variations of camera and lens. I always find myself guessing about corners or dark areas or exact focus. Granted, I have gotten pretty good at it over the years but I'd really like to improve my setup if possible. I'd also like to not have to purchase a bunch of gear to figure it out.

My current setup: Chamonix F-2 4x5, 75mm Rodenstock Grandagon f4.5.

What is your ultimate wide angle and super wide angle setup currently?



-=Will
www.willwilson.com

Does that camera have detents? If not, I don't know how you'd ever get it in focus with such a short lens. I use a laser to set the detents on my front and rear standard and find this essential for just about any lens, especially 90mm and shorter.

[Greg]

What is your ultimate wide angle and super wide angle setup currently?

Chamonix whole plate camera with a 90mm f/5.6 Schneider Super-Angulon XL & Schneider IVa Center ND filter. Lens just barely covers the format and the focusing in the corners is a challenge but the final contact prints make it all worth it.

[willwilson]

Does that camera have detents? If not, I don't know how you'd ever get it in focus with such a short lens. I use a laser to set the detents on my front and rear standard and find this essential for just about any lens, especially 90mm and shorter.

Can you explain in more detail? What is your setup?

-=Will
www.willwilson.com