Moving on to 8x10

[alex gard]

Taken the plunge and have locked in a Tachihara triple-extension 8x10 camera, for a pretty good price (I think?)
WIth the intention of moving up to 8x10 but particularly because I intend and hope to get into ambro/ferrotypes in the not-too-distant future. Going to hit up Gold Street Studios when I get home in June and see if I can't line up some workshops.

Unless someone can tell me that it's possible to develop 8x10 negs in a patterson tank, I'll most likely be doing it in a Jobo.

Few questions, because it seems that with most of the advice I read around the place points me towards "the best"/"most expensive lenses" in the 8x10 format, for whatever reasons. I know that "good enough" is still awesome in the LF department, so here's my Q's:

1. I have a Nikkor-M 300mm f/9 lens. Is this good enough for 8x10 and will the coverage be enough?

2. Not particular concerned about shooting too much 'wide angle' stuff, but will a Nikkor 210mm f/5.6 lens... this is my favourite lens on 4x5. Will this lens have enough coverage for 8x10?

3. Perhaps investment in one lens, apparently 420mm is the the equivalent of 210mm. Can you recommend a good 420mm lens for that isn't "top of the line"/"the best" (as I said most recommendations seem to point towards $1200+ lenses).

Really looking forward to getting into it

Now I know that my tiny little Manfrotto carbon fiber tripod is nowhere near strong enough to hold an 8x10... better start looking for some kind of Eiffel Tower

[Walter Glover]

1. I have a Nikkor-M 300mm f/9 lens. Is this good enough for 8x10 and will the coverage be enough?

I have a Nikkor-M 300mm and it is a cracker. I have used it extensively on 8x10 without grief or disappointment. I have also found that the Nikkor-M 450 is also a fine unit.

2. Not particular concerned about shooting too much 'wide angle' stuff, but will a Nikkor 210mm f/5.6 lens... this is my favourite lens on 4x5. Will this lens have enough coverage for 8x10?

I suspect that the Nikkor-W 210mm will more or less only cover on axis and with the aperture stopped down.

3. Perhaps investment in one lens, apparently 420mm is the the equivalent of 210mm. Can you recommend a good 420mm lens for that isn't "top of the line"/"the best" (as I said most recommendations seem to point towards $1200+ lenses).

See above comment on the Nikkor-M 450mm

On this site you have two absolute masters of non-expensiver glass in Maris and Ray Heath. Have a play with some of their style of toys.

Now I know that my tiny little Manfrotto carbon fiber tripod is nowhere near strong enough to hold an 8x10... better start looking for some kind of Eiffel Tower[/quote]

As a general rule, I used a series 4 carbon fibre Gitzo in my 8x10 era. I still use it for 4x5 with considerable success also. I do have a penchant for metal tripods for their greater mass but seldom venture forth with one. The big mutha is a Gitzo series 5 which I'll use with the sinar in windy conditions.

[alex gard]

Thanks for the tips. Don't seem to be too many of that 450mm Nikkor-M on Ebay... only a couple that I can find.

Wondering if a wooden tripod will be the go for this kind of camera... it'll probably just be a car camera, don't plan on doing too much on foot with it. That's what the Toyo is for

[Lachlan717]

The 450mm come up about every 4-6 weeks on eBay. You can be lucky with the price - I got one with an allegedly bung shutter for $320. A little shutter exercise and it now works fine. Critically sharp lens, second only to my 355mm G Claron.

Other lenses to keep an eye out for in this range are the 19 inch Red Dot Artars, the 420mm Fujinon L, the 480mm Apo-Ronars (f9 or f11 versions) and the 480mm Apo-Nikkors. All outstanding lenses.

As for the tripod, if you're not going far from the car, have you considered any of the giant Manfrottos? The 028 is a semi-video tripod (thus, very stable), the 058 (tall and stable), and the one that I have, the 161Mk2.

This latter tripod is massive, with a geared centre column that is rock-solid even when extended 2/3rds of the way. It'll extend to about 9 feet, allowing really easy setup on things like rocks/slopes. I have a Majestic 2500 head on it, with a 6x7" plate to add base rigidity to the banquet camera. I replaced a Manfrotto 055 with this tripod, and have seen a clear difference in image quality whilst using it with the 7x17. Got to be the best part of 9kg all up, but I don't really notice this even on long (10km+) walks. Mind you, as Walter and Maris will attest, I'm not too smart but can lift heavy things...

By the way, the 161Mk2 was only about $150, and the Majestic head was only about $50.

[smbooth]

Congrats Alex, but don't go rushing into buy more lens until your up and going. The 300f9 is a good lens with enough coverage for 8x10 but not a lot of movement at 325 IC. The 210 is less at 295mm IC, maybe closed down its just OK. A 8x10 needs 310mm IC by the way.
The smallest tripod for you 8x10 is would say is around the Manfrotto 055 size, but bigger is better, I have a surveyors tripod.....

[smbooth]

Here you go.

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/ ... -inch-f6-3

[alex gard]

Thanks for that link shane. Do you really think that lens is worth moving into from 300mm, or would it be wiser to hang around for a 450mm? $900 is a pretty penny indeed!

[Lachlan717]

You should be able to get a 355mm G Claron for about half that price. Amazing lenses.

[alex gard]

You mean a lens like this?

I assume this means I need to get a shutter for it

[Lachlan717]

You mean a lens like this?

I assume this means I need to get a shutter for it

Nup; avoid this one (Repro). You need to make sure that it's a "G Claron". The Claron range has C Clarons, D Clarons, Repro Clarons, G Clarons and WA G Clarons.

While they were originally process lenses, they have amazing performance for general "stuff". I have the 240mm and 355mm G Clarons, and both are amazing. The other significant benefit of these lenses is their coverage; the 355mm will easily cover 11x14/7x17, and some report it as being able to cover 12x20.

They're f9 lenses; however, they project a bright image on to the GG and I have never had an issue with them in this regard.

One other benefit is their ease of mounting. The 355mm G Claron is a direct fit into a Copal 3 shutter.