8x10 H&S Portrait Lens?????

[Pawlowski6132]

So, I'm struggling trying to get an 8x10 H&S setup. I'm currently using a Symmar. It's a 240 convertible to 420.

If I want to get even a 3/4 length shot using the 240, I have to get right in the subjects face. If I convert to 420, I have to roll back the camera to about 15 feet just to be able to focus a 3/4 length. I'm not sure I can even get any closer to focus at any bellows length.

So, what the hell do I have to do to be around 6 to 8 feet away from my subject and get a H&S shot?

Curious to know what focal length lens (and style) and bellows length, for 8x10.

Thanx in advance folks.

Joe Pawlowski

[E. von Hoegh]

Try a 300 or 360. At the working distance you want, I'm thinking 360, most any lens that will cover should work OK fine.

[Pawlowski6132]

Try a 300 or 360.

That's what I thought but, then why doesn't the 420 work? Does is have to with the lens design? Being that it's a convertible and the lens is behind the shutter?

[E. von Hoegh]

That's what I thought but, then why doesn't the 420 work? Does is have to with the lens design? Being that it's a convertible and the lens is behind the shutter?

Having the glass behind the shutter increases the flange focal length a bit, but you'd have the same issue with any 420. Sounds like you don't have a lot of bellows.

Edit. I use a 420 Artar as a portrait lens, the camera has 30" of bellows, I use up most of that with a head and shoulders portrait.

[Pawlowski6132]

Hmmm. I have over 30". I can get the subject in focus but I must be 15ft away. And then I'm only getting 3/4 to full length. It's pretty confusing.

Having the glass behind the shutter increases the flange focal length a bit, but you'd have the same issue with any 420. Sounds like you don't have a lot of bellows.

Edit. I use a 420 Artar as a portrait lens, the camera has 30" of bellows, I use up most of that with a head and shoulders portrait.

[E. von Hoegh]

I rarely use my Symmar converible at the longer focal length. I think it needs more bellows than the marked length. Focus the camera at infinity, with the lens converted, measure from the GG to the lensboard. This will give you a number to start with. But either way, a 420 is a long lens. To get a head and shoulders portrait with mine, I'm using around 25 - 26" of the bellows extension, IIRC.

[Pawlowski6132]

Do you remember the distance to subject?

[E. von Hoegh]

Do you remember the distance to subject?

I don't, really. It's been 15 years or so since I did portraits with an 8x10. Say 8 or 10 feet for a head and just the tops of the shoulders. I think. About. Sorry.

[cdholden]

Joe,
I think some of the old Voigtlander or Wollensak docs have what you're looking for in table form. I just can't remember which booklet I saw it in, though I'm pretty sure it was on Camera Eccentric's web site.
Maybe it was antiquecameras.net?

Chris

[mikanystrom]

I rarely use my Symmar converible at the longer focal length. I think it needs more bellows than the marked length. Focus the camera at infinity, with the lens converted, measure from the GG to the lensboard. This will give you a number to start with. But either way, a 420 is a long lens. To get a head and shoulders portrait with mine, I'm using around 25 - 26" of the bellows extension, IIRC.

It seems to me that technically speaking...

since a H&S of a small person, like the example subject at the beginning of this thread, is rather close to 8x10 inches, you're looking at nearly a 1:1 reproduction ratio.

SO... why not screw the rear element out of the back of the shutter and screw it into the front of the shutter? At 1:1 reproduction, it doesn't matter which way the lens is pointing...