[Largeformat] Re: Packard Shutters and 8x10 B&J Mounting

[Clive Warren <cocam@cableinet.co.uk>]

From: Clive Warren <cocam@cableinet.co.uk>

>From: "Luis Paulet" <lou@csn1.com>
>
>> The two lenses for the B&J are a Taylor Hobson Cooke Apotal 16" f9 and a
>> Red Dot Artar 14" f9.  I know nothing about either lens apart from the
>
>
>I have a Schneider Symmar 360mm/f5.6, and have enough of a time focusing
>at f/5.6 to where I'm looking for a brighter ground glass.  How do you
>do it at f/9?  I have good eyes.  The only things I could improve on
>are a better darkcloth (usually just a jacket) and a GG loupe which
>I don't use.  My GG is pretty sad, though, you can see the circle in the
>center that the brightness of the lens makes.
>
>I agree... with 8x10 you can pretty much get around well, but only if your
>camera is relatively light.  11x14, however, bring the wife along and put
>her to good use.
>
>Luis


Luis,

Here in England we often use lenses with small apertures - the secret is to
eat a lot of carrots ;-)

To be honest, I am still waiting for the Artar 16" f9 to turn up.  Using a
lens at f9 requires a bit of extra time under the focussing jacket to allow
your eyes to dark adapt.  Also useful extra time to think about the
composition and the nature of life and the universe etc.

The GG you have may be a very coarse grind.  The finer the grind, the
brighter the image although it becomes harder to focus.  Using a fresnel
screen is one way of brightning up the corners of your GG, however there
are a few disadvantages such as viewing angle then becomes critical.
Personally I prefer to know approximately what is in the corners of the
screen and like fresnel lenses, however use an old MPP Mk VII 4x5 a lot
with a coarse GG and just guess about the corners :-)

On the transport of 8x10s - have suggested to my gal that she starts
working out so that she can carry lenses and tripods.  Have nearly
recovered from that and would suggest that anyone else thinking about this
route takes a more subtle approach :-)





All the best,

              Clive     http://clive.bel-epa.com