Robert Soames Wetmore <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hello- > > I am an architect working on a restoration project of a 1930's theater and, > though a pro photog will be hired at the end for some promo shots for > marketing purposes, I am contemplating doing some "before and after" > documentation myself, for my own purposes, with just 35mm equipment.
Hi Robert, Most of my work includes architectural interiors (I've been doing a lot of shots of office furniture on location for the past months) and I've just finished a six-month master in architectural photography. There's no problem using 35mm equipment if you have the right lenses. Before purchasing the 45mm for the 6x7 I used a lot a Sigma 18mm/3.5 when the largest angle of view was needed (I was even planning to buy a Voigtl�nder 12mm because even the 18mm AOV was too limited for shooting in some narrow streets, but I'm not sure anymore). Now I tend to use mostly the 45mm and a Schneider-Kreuznach 28mm/2.8 shift lens on the 35mm cameras. > 1. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good text on photographing > architecture - particularly interiors? I don't know about a text specifical for interiors. One of our professors, who teachs history of photography, gave us a little bibliography which includes the following texts: De Mar�, Eric 'Architectural Photography'. London, B.T. BAtsford Ltd, 1975. Molitor, Joseph W. 'Architectural Photography'. New York, John Wiley & Sons, 1976 Saunders, William S. 'Modern Architecture. Photographs by Ezra Stoller'. New York, harry N. Abrams, 1990 I must confess I haven't tried to find them yet, but I'm not sure if they can suit your needs well. > 2. I will be using the FA 24/2.0 (I have the FA 35/2.0 as well) but would > like any recommendations for additional suitable wide-angle lenses > (including the shift lens) and comments on anyone's experience in using them > for architectural photography, particularly in terms of rectilinear > distortion or orthogonal accuracy. You'll probably find that most of the time your widest lens isn't wide enough. I can say that the best lens I use for architectural shots (not for interiors, though) is surely the Schneider 28/2.8. Its rectilinear distorsion is approximately null. If you are able to find a shift lens, be it a Pentax or a Schneider, buy it. You won't regret it. Usually fast lenses are not built with architecture purposes in mind. Although a wonderful lens under many points of view, the 24/2 is not very recommended due to its distorsion. The K 24/2.8 is better in this regard but far from perfect anyway. The 15/3.5 is probably the best lens in the Pentax lineup for interiors. I still regret not buying one when I had the opportunity. There is the 18/3.5 too, but I think finding one is a very difficult task. I have no data about the FA 20/2.8 wrt distorsion, but I think it should be quite good. Hope this helps. Ciao, Gianfranco ===== Yahoo! Autos - Get free new car price quotes http://autos.yahoo.com - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
