Uploaded February 2022 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago

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In a time before zoom lenses, photographers needed to carry around a dedicated lens for each "look" they wanted. The next invention after that was a type of lens that could modify its optical design by adding/removing lens elements. Today on LFF, I'm taking a Bausch & Lomb Protar lens out in the field to see how this 100+ year old "convertible" lens handles 8x10" black and white film!

More info on convertible lenses: largeformatphotography.info/lenses-primer

Cooke XVa Lens - idata.cookeoptics.com/l/xva.html
Cooke Optics TV - youtube.com/c/CookeOpticsTV

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Questions? Send me an email: largeformatquestions@gmail.com

Content by Mat Marrash: matmarrash.com


#largeformat #filmphotography #ilford

00:00 Intro
01:00 An Icy Hike
02:08 Convertible Lenses
05:36 Warm-Up Shot (250mm)
09:03 2nd Shot (250mm)
11:16 Changing Focal Lengths
13:00 3rd Shot (400mm)
14:54 Changing Again
16:53 Depth of Field Troubles
17:42 4th Shot (480mm)
18:37 5th Shot (250mm)
20:32 Wrap-Up + 6th Shot (400mm)