Hi all, I have been running into an issue recently where I find myself needing longer and longer lenses to get the framing and spatial relationships I want. I’m just wondering if anyone else has had this happen? I know there was a fairly recent thread questioning whether preferring longer lenses is a function of aging which I found interesting. At the moment I was unable to locate it. I also wanted a conversation that was geared toward the practicality of shooting long lenses in the field and opinions on the specific long lenses that people use and prefer. Also, how long of lenses you all are able to shoot successfully in the field?
Just a bit of background, my first 4x5 had a 5 ½ inch lens, it was great and I didn’t feel like I needed anything else. When I upgraded my camera I got a 135mm and again thought that was all I’d ever need….however after a while I ended up with a 90mm and 210mm which both saw lots of use. This was a very nice kit and again I thought I was set for life. However, I got a 300mm because I got and 8x10 and needed a lens that would cover….I still shot mostly 4x5 at the time, and ended up using the 300mm on 4x5 quite a bit. Eventually, I revamped my 4x5 lens kit, which is now 90mm, 120mm, 150mm, 210mm, 300mm, and 450mm.
The thing that confuses me is that every time I get a longer lens my lens use shifts toward the longer end of my range, to the point where I seem to use the 90mm like once or twice a year at the most, and use my 210mm, 300mm, and 450mm all the time. And I have been running into situations recently where I cannot physically get close enough, or if I can the composition is ruined because the spatial relationships change too much, even with the 450mm. And since I have been shifting more and more to 8x10 this tendency for longer lenses is compounded. I feel like I could really use a 600mm/800mm convertible, and something like a 1200mm, and that I would use them all the time on 4x5 and 8x10. Now those lenses are not only ridiculously expensive (which eliminates them as possibilities for now), but also even in telephoto design require a lot of extension, and since I shoot in the field this is a potential issue.
Sorry for the long post, but to summarize….
Do others find themselves requiring longer and longer lenses to get the compositions they see?
And if so, what long and or telephoto lenses that cover 8x10 with some movements do you recommend for use in the field?
Lastly, how do you mitigate the ‘sail’ effect of 8x10 bellows at extension in the wind? I have a pretty solid setup…but still worry about this. I have heard of the umbrella trick and need to get one to try it out…I really wish I had had one this last Saturday.
Anyway…sorry again for the long post…and I apologize if this has all been covered to death before.
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