Following on from my previous of experiments with my Aero Ektar lens, here are a couple more shots with the same camera/lens combination from a test shoot I did with Hai Lin during my lunch break in Oxford. I first met Hai Lin during the launch party of Oxford Fashion Week 2011 and since then we have photographed together a handful of times. I have to say that Hai Lin is one of the nicest people I’ve collaborated with, totally reliable, easy to get along with and she always arrives ready to shoot with no fuss.
Working with a large format camera is not something that is particularly fast so it helps to be working with someone that is patient. The other key ingredient required from your subject when photographing them with an Aero Ektar lens is an ability to stay perfectly still because the depth of focus when using the lens wide-open is around an inch so a tiny bit of movement either way would mean an out of focus shot. Not a problem for Hai Lin.
I’ve enjoyed using the Aero Ektar lens and with spring finally here with lots of sunny weather I hope to use it some more.
[Tech info:] Speed Graphic 5×4 camera with Kodak Aero lens shot wide-open at f2.5 on Kodak Tri-X 320, processed in Kodak HC110 dilution b (1:31).
The key signature of the Aero Ektar is the lovely bokeh (blurry background).
We had to wait a couple of minutes for clouds to pass so the sun would cast some shadows.
Stunning! Simple stunning. Now I also want a 5 x 4 camera, thank you very much for that 🙂
Thanks for your kind comment, Marcel. Once you start using 5×4, your other cameras will feel like point and shoots 😛
Beautiful images. I want to find out how you took a portrait mode image. My Pacemaker only has landscape
Hey Stephen, I’m using a Speed Graphic which has a tripod socket underneath the side strap for portrait mode. I also use a ball-head on my tripod which allows me to flip the camera and stick with using the bottom tripod socket.
Excellent use of this combo, I just got hold of both, and as a model photographer I expect much pleasure in using them very soon.
Thanks. You’ll have a lot of fun I’m sure 🙂