Is vignetting the norm in a 10x8 camera?

[michael_pye]

Hi,

I'm thinking of purchasing a 10x8 camera. With a negative this large is it the

norm to have vignetting even when stopped right down to the smallest aperture?

 

Thanks.

[ilkka]

Not if your lens has sufficient covering power. But it can easily become a problem with swings and rises.

[michael_pye]

Thanks.

[mike_earussi1]

Just check the data sheet on the various lenses you want to use at it will list their image circles.

[peter_yee]

It really depends on the coverage of the lens. Large format lens usually have a specification called image circle. That is the diameter of the image that is projected on to the film plane when the lens is in focus, the object is at infinity, and at a specific aperature (usually F22). The image circle can get larger with smaller aperature, but how much will vary with the lens design. For 8x10 you are looking for a lens with an image circle of at least 312 millimeters or about 12 inches. If you are using movements with the camera (i.e, rise, fall, etc.) you need larger than minimum image circle. At the large format camera website -

 

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenses/

 

-you can find a table of larger format lens for different large formats.

[brucecahn]

Most of the modern lenses cover more than the very conservative factory specified image circles.

[gene_e._mccluney]

If you purchase lenses designed to cover 8x10, and you use these lenses within their

specified image circle of coverage, then you can get absolutely even, non-vignetted

images.

[dakotah_jackson]

As others have posted, it is not the norm. If you are getting it or know folks who are take a look at the lenses they use to see what the image circle is. Even a lens with adequate reserve in covering the format will have problems with photographers who insist on using a lot of rise/fall or shift and movement. Some seem to want to justify the LF camera by using movements when they aren't called for.

 

Check out Steve Simmons View Camera Magazine and you can find some good information on the lens coverage/film format questions.