Large Format Still Life With a Projector Lens.

In this video Alastair uses a Projector lens as a camera lens and talks about the issues with the lack of shutter, the plane of focus among others. It was a bit of an exploration to see what could be done with the lens, as Alastair had bought it many years ago and wanted to see if it would actually work.

[@lensman5762]

With a slow to medium speed film and a large format camera shooting still life or even landscape photography under not so bright conditions, the exposure is usually in seconds rather than fractions of a second. A shutter therefore is usually set to B or T setting. Under these circumstances a lens cap will do the same job. If the aperture of the lens is not adjustable, a well made Front Aperture Mask could be used to stop the lens down.

[@flipflopsLF]

I’ve been shooting a Buhl 200mm f3.2 projection lens on my 3x4 Graflex SLR with fine results. Not as good as my Cooke Series II with an ILEX shutter on my Chamonix 4x5 yet presentable. Thanks for sharing your experience as we know mileage will vary. :)

[@iNerdier]

Someone I know is a big fan of using these with a Sinar and the shutter there which negates the need for them in the lens. Modified projection and process lenses for large format are getting, well not exactly popular, but more popular for sure.

[@UnderexposedwithAlastairBird]

Certainly the Sinar shutter system would be smart if I wanted to pursue this. And I have to admit I'm a little intrigued by some of the suggestions in the other comments about different projection lenses. I might have to track down an old Sinar - thankfully they're not that expensive, given that they really are studio cameras.

[@petemc5070]

Very helpful, thanks.

[@UnderexposedwithAlastairBird]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SinaFarhat]

Interesting!

[@Jerbod2]

I didn't know the transition would be so abrupt, I expected the bokeh to be lame, color fringing and whatever - as for the same reasons you mentioned it wouldn't be designed for. The bokeh seems nice enough in my opinion, just the transition that is off.

[@UnderexposedwithAlastairBird]

I agree. The bokeh is quite pleasing. It almost makes me want to try again at F11 or 16, just to see what I can get.

[@pastasuta]

What is the name of the watch you are wearing at 3:59 if you don't mind me asking?

[@UnderexposedwithAlastairBird]

An Omega Flightmaster ref. 911. From about 1971. Good catch!