Re: Best ****trait lens focal length

"Colyn" <jcg13@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:jcg13-2D82AB.11390411062007@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>I have several lens for my 4x5 view camera and was 
>wondering what focal
> length is considered best for head and shoulders ****traits 
> and which for
> full length ****traits?
>
> My lens include a 90, 127, 135, 150, 210, and 250mm..

   The rule of thumb is to use a lens with a focal length of 
2 to 3 times the long dimension of the film. Another is to 
use double the diagonal. Actually, the idea is to avoid 
"distortion" to the sitter's face due to the viewing 
distance of the print being too far. This is done simply by 
backing the camera off and the image on the film made larger 
by using a longer lens. So, you can use a "normal" lens if 
you are willing to crop the negative when making the print. 
The key is that the im****tant thing is the camera distance 
and perspective.
   Of the focal lengths you list I would use the 250mm.
   Even through the "rule" is for head and shoulder shots it 
also works for full body shots. A little experimenting with 
a patient subject will make the decision easier.


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Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@[EMAIL PROTECTED]