Ron Wisner on ULF portrait lenses

[David]

Maybe I'm not seeing clearly enough, but when I shoot portraits near to 1:1 (bellows at about 800mm) using a 450M Nikkor with the 11x14 I don't notice the perspective 'distortions' you might expect with a wide angle lens up close. The nose, for example, doesn't seem larger in proportion than normal. I've wondered why this is but don't have a clear answer.

One thing I did learn was to focus on the tip of the nose rather than the eyes. Given the short DOF if I focus on the eyes the tip of the nose is then out of focus. If I focus on the nose the greater DOF behind the focussed upon area catches the eyes too.

[Ole]

David, with a 450mm lens and 800mm extension the face-lens distance will be about 1030mm - far enough to avoid the "bignose effect". One meter is a reasonable distance to see other people from - it's when you get closer than that, that it looks "wrong".

[claytume]

Oh, and by the way HI CLAYTON! Good to see you posting here and there!
Best, Tracy

Tracy

good to see you've found your way here too!

I always enjoy reading your posts, I like the tech spin you put on them that only comes from experience.

cheers
Clayton

[claytume]

Maybe I'm not seeing clearly enough, but when I shoot portraits near to 1:1 (bellows at about 800mm) using a 450M Nikkor with the 11x14 I don't notice the perspective 'distortions' you might expect with a wide angle lens up close. The nose, for example, doesn't seem larger in proportion than normal. I've wondered why this is but don't have a clear answer.

David

I'm curious to know how many 11x14 and larger shooters there are in Oz?

Over here in NZ there are very very few.


Clayton

[Dave Wooten]

Ole,

As always, very informative.....thanks

Dave in Vegas

[TracyStorer]

[QUOTE=Ole]The perspective (not parallax) is determined by the position of the lens relative to the subject. The DoF is determined by the magnification ratio.

Ole's right, it is the perspective that is responsible for that "big nose" effect.

[Dave Wooten]

1. Tracey do you have any info on number of Wisner 14 x 17 in existence?

2. How many 14 x 17 shooters are out there? The first international 14 x 17 convention is in the planning stage.

Dave in Vegas


we could I guess invite the 11 x 14 point and shoot guys

[TracyStorer]

[QUOTE=Dave Wooten]
1. Tracey do you have any info on number of Wisner 14 x 17 in existence?

Ron has made at least 5, and I know he made at least one 1620>1417 reducing back. He has probably made a couple more cameras and reducers that I don't know about. I started talking to him about 14x17 in '98 at Photo West. (talking about, not ordering)

2. How many 14 x 17 shooters are out there? The first international 14 x 17 convention is in the planning stage.

I've seen a Phillips 14x17, Lotus makes one, and of course there are vintage ones out there as well. I got interested in the format back when I was doing pinhole and could get 14x17 XRay film cheap, and found a couple antique 1417 plate holders I planned to convert.(shot some of the film in cardboard box cameras, never converted the plate holders)

Kerik shoots 14x17, Patrick Alt does too. (I'll ask John at Bergger how many different 14x17 people he ships to)

Tracy

[Kerik]

2. How many 14 x 17 shooters are out there? The first international 14 x 17 convention is in the planning stage.

Dave,

Let's just say you won't have to book a very large venue!

Kerik

ps Hey Tracy! Good to see you here.

[Dave Wooten]

good point Kerik,

maybe we can all fit in the Jeep