Coverage for an 11x14 Bausch & Lomb Tessar 1C

**Scott Davis** · 23-Apr-2010, 09:08

Ok- I know the obvious- it does cover 11x14. Does anyone know if it covers more, especially at portrait distances? I'm hoping it will do 14x17 at portrait distance, and if I'm REALLY lucky it will still cover or maybe just vignette at or near infinity. The reason I'm asking is because I have the lens, but it is on a lensboard to fit my 11x14. I'll have to have it re-mounted in a Toyo lensboard to fit my 14x17 to try it and find out. If anyone has any experience with this lens on a larger than 11x14 camera, I'd love to hear from you.

**Jason Greenberg Motamedi** · 23-Apr-2010, 09:19

Scott, the 11x14 Tessar will illuminate the entire 14x17 plate at infinity, but won't be very sharp in the corners. In my experience, it should handle head and shoulders portraits at 14x17 and not produce much vignetting, but perhaps it may be a bit short (aesthetically) for portraits. However, considering that a head and shoulders on 14x17 is close to 1:1 you will be working with (effectively) much longer lens. On camera eccentric's website I see that the 11x14 Ic covers 12x15 at small stops. Its FL is 15 5/8", so figure at 60 degrees it will produce a sharp image circle of 18" (460mm).

**eddie** · 23-Apr-2010, 10:26

remember at 1:1 the IC is twice as big as at infinity.....

**Scott Davis** · 23-Apr-2010, 12:35

Ok- so it sounds like it will function, but it may not be entirely aesthetically pleasing. I guess the thing to do is make a plywood test lensboard, throw the bad boy up on the camera and put a sheet or two behind it. If I like the look, then I can invest in a proper aluminum lensboard.

**eddie** · 24-Apr-2010, 04:13

if you think the FL is close but want some thing a bit more pleasing then look out for a 19 inch RR. they are fairly small and will fit your lens boards no problem.

eddie