Tricks of the Trade #1-10
Some
quick tips, for those odd situations.
These
tips were passed on by various members, many are from Will Landon.
- A bright 500 or 750 watt Tota light can be mounted on the top of
Roundshot cameras in a vertical mode to give a narrow band of bright
light despite the manufacturers warnings that these lights can only
be used horizontally. I try not to exceed a four minute burning
time when in the vertical mode and recommend the use of a protection
screen over the lamp should they explode.
- The cord to any camera mounted light must come down to the light
from above the light in order to prevent banding due to drag. This
is easily accomplished with a Norman Masster light stand that can
be extended to over 12 ft. There is a fixture on the top for clamping
a three ft. rod over the camera. The cord is taped to the rod with
a buffering loop to the lamp.
- All changing bags come with only a single elasticized sleeve to
keep out the light. When loading film in holders or a camera, there
is always a chance that an extreme arm motion may cause a light
leak that fogs the film. To prevent this from happening, buy the
smallest, cheapest 35mm changing bag you can find. Next cut off
the arms in a semi-circular cut about 6-8 inches from the sleeve
end. Now sew both cloth layers of the small bag to the outer protective
cloth of the large bag so that the inner light proofing material
overlaps the main bags sleeve opening. You now have a double light
trap that just won't leak no matter how much you have to twist and
turn to load your film.
- A NO NO. Never put any accessory down on anything but another piece
of equipment which you have to carry. That way you won't leave it
behind.
- A NO NO. Never leave cable releases attached to a lens when you
remove it from a camera. The cable release can grab and pull a lens
out of your hand when you least expect it to happen.
- When trying to place a rotational camera directly in the middle
of a domed room, use a laser pen or a slide show pointer light mounted
in a block that holds it perpendicular to the floor, to find the
central point.
- Panoramic photographers often end up owning more than one wide angle
lens. Each lens has a recommended very expensive center filter needed
to even out the light drop-off towards the corner. One way to reduce
costs is to buy the center filter for your wide angle with the largest
filter size and then use step up rings to adapt them to small filer
size wide angle rings. Tiffen and Heliopan make step-up rings, with
the latter being made of brass. Heliopan will also make custom sizes.
One caution however, the larger center filter must be designed for
the same angle of view as the smaller lends. Schneider XL can only
be stepped up to the 90mm Schneider XL lens.
- Some flat panoramic cameras use the "red window" method of advancing
the film. Unfortunately if the red window is recessed as they were
in some designs, it is very difficult to see the numbers especially
out in the snow without the benefit of a penlight. There is a very
simple solution when in well lit conditions. Punch a ¾ inch
hole in a white 4x5 inch card, usually found in sheet film boxes.
Hold it to your eye at a 45 degree angle so that it reflects the
light coming down from above into red window. This method also shields
your eyes from surrounding ambient light, which also helps.
- On a really important negative with banding, you can get rid of
it by using drafting mylar and a pencil. Shade in between the bands;
spread it out by rubbing. You can also use this technique to bring
out shadow detail.
- An inclinometer is a device that measure vertical angles to a single
degree accuracy. They are extremely useful for quickly previewing
the vertical coverage of any lens in any camera. They are especially
useful when shooting rotational cameras since the top and bottom
limits of a given lens can be previewed on a scene without having
to set up the camera. Once you determine the limits by on camera
testing and documentation. A highly precision unit is made in Finland and
Forrestry Supply Inc, of Jackson MS may still carry them. 1.800.752.8460
Information published on the IAPP website at: http://http://www.panoramicassociation.org/.
All rights reserverd and copyright of author.
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