Equipment needs, cameras and lenses. Making, buying, adapting

[Tin Can]

Good advice Garrett

I am not buying any petzval, too expensive and swirl is not interesting to me

I have Radar 8X10 12" f4.5 with working aperture but failed Betax 5 shutter. No problem

Here is info from 2011, https://www.largeformatphotography.i...l=1#post709094

I haven't picked which Box to use, but it will not be period, most people have no idea how old any wood camera or lens is

I don't care what most think

[maltfalc]

i doubt many in the small and cheap group care about overpriced trendy petzvals when dirt cheap, easily adapted russian tessars and f/2.5 projector lenses are all over ebay.

[Two23]

I think most who do wet plate aren't in the re-enactment crowd but more in the 'arty" alternative process camp. The early anastigmats work well for that. I've mostly been using period correct lenses but have also used a 1922 Heliar, which I love, and a c.1925 Velostigmat 300mm. As for the dark box the originals were heavy wood. I need something more portable. I keep my chemicals in a padded cooler bag with blue ice now that it's suddenly hitting 98 degrees.


Kent in SD

[Ari]

I bought a Vesta lens, which is a Petzval type, but maybe not 100% kosher Petzval. It's often described as a "Petzval design".
Anyway, I bought it becaiuse I like the centre sharpness offered by this type of lens.
The swirl is not interesting to me, thus a 14" lens which fully covers 8x10 will give the look I want, without swirl.
Should arrive next week sometime.

[goamules]

A Vesta is definately a Petzval. Just F5 vs F3.8, so it doesn't have much swirl anyway.

[paulbarden]

I bought a Vesta lens, which is a Petzval type, but maybe not 100% kosher Petzval. It's often described as a "Petzval design".
Anyway, I bought it becaiuse I like the centre sharpness offered by this type of lens.
The swirl is not interesting to me, thus a 14" lens which fully covers 8x10 will give the look I want, without swirl.
Should arrive next week sometime.

I have a 15" f5 Lerebours et Secretan Petzval, and it does swirl and vignette on 8x10. See example here. These characteristics vary by manufacturer, so YMMV.

[Ari]

Ok, thanks Garret and Paul.
I always thought the Vesta was a "modified Petzval" design.

[goamules]

The ones I've had are standard configuration. I just opened up a brass SEROCO (vesta store brand) and it's the thin lens at the rear. But you could reverse them, as with most petzvals that have threaded keepers, and no soft focus mechanism.

[drewf64]

I have a 15" f5 Lerebours et Secretan Petzval, and it does swirl and vignette on 8x10. See example here. These characteristics vary by manufacturer, so YMMV.

Paul:
This portrait is exceptional!
I love everything about it!
I posted a copy of this photo in my work room at the top of my display board ... setting the bar very high!
Thank you for the direction & inspiration.
Drew

[paulbarden]

Paul:
This portrait is exceptional!
I love everything about it!
I posted a copy of this photo in my work room at the top of my display board ... setting the bar very high!
Thank you for the direction & inspiration.
Drew

Thank you Drew, you are very kind :-)