[Largeformat] Rodenstock Grandagon 65mm

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

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

Dear All,

Have just spent a few very cold hours out at the docks here in Bristol,
England with the recently purchased Grandagon 65mm and the trusty old MPP
technical camera.  Was a little dubious about the lens coverage without a
centre grad. filter, however from the ground glass it seems to have about
the same level of light fall off that my other lenses have when wide open.
Have no fresnel screen on the ground glass so am used to an image which is
dim at the edges :-)

It was cold enough to freeze a slug on a rock, but nothing compared to
14000 feet up a mountain.....

Chose a few inanimate objects as subjects and did try out a 6x9 roll film
back to see the limits of rise and fall with the available image circle.
Also gave me an excuse to load up with infrared film :-)  Overall the
handling is what you would expect from a lens with a Copal shutter and when
I get 'round to developing the film will let you know how the lens performs
on 4x5.

The drawback with most of these wide angle lenses is the limited image
circle - gives you little room for lens movements on 4x5.  A 90mm lens is
altogether more sensible, however does not allow the close subject
distances for large objects which allow stunning perspectives on frame
filling shots.

Was intending to check out a Symmar S 210mm which has been lying around
waiting for a lens board but the idea of a roaring fire at home was more
alluring. The lens is now mounted on a board and ready to go - it has had a
hard life but the glass is very good.

Anyone else use a 65mm?




All the best,

             Clive   http://www.cocam.co.uk
                     Photographic Services, Filters and Equipment, Infrared FAQ
                            http://clive.bel-epa.com
                            Adventures in Cyberspace - Digital Art and Photos