ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I could not resist the urge to go out this afternoon and make an exposure. This is a shot I've taken before of a canning house no longer in use (cranberry canning house). This was taken with my new Intrepid 4x5 large format camera.

Jim (cany143) was gracious enough to part with his Jobo developing tank that accepts 4x5 negatives. It worked like a dream! I scanned the negatives at 6400 pixels and that might have been as mistake. The file was too large to open in LR! (1.2 gig). So I was able to open the file in PS and resize the image to 2400 pixels. That made LR much happier (the files are still gigantic 125 meg).

This shot was taken with a wide angle lens (90mm) with the camera level and no tilt added. I focused on the house and I'm noticing that the foreground is not in focus. I might have to add some tilt if I want everything from near to far to be in sharp focus. I shot at f/11 so there should have been pretty good dof; but then I recalled what I had read about large format shooting. I think they don't have as much dof as smaller formats. So, I'll have to experiment with tilt. I'm not thrilled with how this photo came out; but I'm thrilled to have the camera and excited to learn how to use it better.

Anyway this is my first shot with the camera. If anyone has any advice, I'm all ears. I feel like a rank beginner again.

In this second shot with the camera, I focused on the middle of the bench and then tilted the lens a few degrees toward the ground. The result is that the bench is in focus and the lower part of the background trees; but the upper branches are soft. Huh? The camera was close to the bench and the trees were about 15 feet away. settings: f/11 1/30 second film asa 100
Erich

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AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Good start! This format is so much fun, and you’re just at the beginning of the learning curve.

Andy

R.G. Loc: Scotland

You're right about the aperture. It's subject to the same crop factor as the focal length. Going by what other medium and large format shooters use, apertures like f/64 aren't uncommon. That's going to make for some very slow shutter speeds, so it won't be a camera for windy days.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Yep, lots to learn. In this case, learn by doing is a hoot.
Erich

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Looks like I'll be doing some more reading and experimenting. Ansel Adams "The Camera" should probably come off the shelf for a re-read. Thanks for taking a look.
Erich

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Can't help you with the technical, but I'm going to enjoy your journey!

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

The journey has begun. I have no idea how steep or long the learning curve may be but I am sure it will be a fun trip for you.
On your first shot on the bottom right It looks like a scratch. I don’t believe it is. But I can’t figure out what caused the look.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Looking forward to seeing more of your images with this wonderful camera.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

No advice from me, but I like the photos.
Happy shooting with the new toy, Erich.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Erich, congratulations. Along with that a huge supportive pat on the back to Cany. I love working with my 4x5s. I've even adapted my digital to one of my 4x5s. So, congratulations to you again and happy explorations into LF photography.

LF lenses are the same as 35mm lenses when it comes to DOF. A 90mm lens on a 4x5 is the same as a 90mm on any other camera. It's just that what a normal lens on a 4x5 is is quite a bit longer focal length than a normal lens on a 35mm. Where 50mm is considered normal for a 35mm, 150mm is normal for a 4x5. That is approximate. So, smaller f-stops and Scheimpflug help adjust DOF.

I, humorously, posted, some time ago, about a variable DOF 300mm lens I have. Someone finally suggested that I was using a view camera.

Additionally, as a friend of mine and I opine from time to time, Go large or go home.
--Bob

JohnCl Loc: Central Arizona

Hi Erich. With that format you are eligible to join Club f/64. Tilt works great when there are no close tall objects. Adams' book will be very helpful on this. Also a good dof calculator will help. I use Photographer's Friend on my phone, which covers a wide range of formats.

f/22 or 32 would probably have worked well on both of these photos.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

The weather is going to be good tomorrow. I think I'll take the family for a drive and maybe we can get an image or two. Should be fun.
Erich

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I don't see a scratch. I do see a few small specks of dust. There is a log in the lake. That might be what you are seeing. It looked strange to me for a second and then I remembered that there is a log in the water.
Erich

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Thanks for taking a look. Might have some more tomorrow. I might just try color!
Erich

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Thank you.
Erich