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Archive 2017 · is there a tool one can check the focal length?

  
 
kenji
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · is there a tool one can check the focal length?


HI
I don't know if i should i ask it here. I am interested in tool( similar to a lens i guess)in which, i can preview and select the focal length i want before putting lens to the my camera body. without putting on several different lenses to a body to see which focal length is the best for the situation.



Thanks for the input



Apr 15, 2017 at 01:46 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · is there a tool one can check the focal length?


I think in terms of "angle of view", AoV,

http://www.jcolwell.ca/photography/AoV/index.htm

When I want to determine what focal length lens to grab, I do a bit of hand waving...

Full frame AoV diagram, http://www.jcolwell.ca/photography/AoV/visual-AoV-35mmFF.pdf

1.6x CF AoV diagram, http://www.jcolwell.ca/photography/AoV/visual-AoV-20D.pdf

[edit: include diagrams in post, easier now that I'm on a computer, instead of a phone]





Focal length diagrams: (left) Full Frame, (right) 1.6x crop factor



Edited on Apr 16, 2017 at 06:30 AM · View previous versions



Apr 15, 2017 at 02:41 PM
gyoung143
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · is there a tool one can check the focal length?


Simplest would be a 'universal viewfinder' as used on rangefinder cameras.
I cant do a link on my phone from the ebay app but if you do a search on ebay you will find plenty.
The Russian ones are quite good and can be reasonable, it is a copy of a Zeiss one, and there are Leica, Nikon and Tewe as well.
I have a few of these from using Leicas most of my life, but the first I bought was to use just as you wish, with a Pentax S1a.

Gerry




Apr 15, 2017 at 03:16 PM
kenji
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · is there a tool one can check the focal length?


thanks
i have seen pictures of director of photography using a lens like thingy to look around scenes. Is that similar to the universal viewfinder?



Apr 15, 2017 at 04:32 PM
gyoung143
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · is there a tool one can check the focal length?


Yes, directors use similar when planning shots. They are usually a zoom type, rather than a turret.
I soon found I could choose the right lens from experience, isually working with a limited range of focal lengths.
This link might work on a phone, but a search of ebay for 'universal viewfinder' should find a few.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNIVERSAL-TURRET-VIEWFINDER-KMZ-ZORKI-FED-KIEV-LEICA-/112357852765?hash=item1a290cc65d%3Ag%3AdHoAAOSw4A5YuwG6&_trkparms=pageci%253A1129fa52-2224-11e7-a87f-74dbd18065e1%257Cparentrq%253A738ee3d015b0aa416ffb00bfffffa470%257Ciid%253A4

Gerry



Apr 15, 2017 at 04:43 PM
rdeloe
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · is there a tool one can check the focal length?


Jim, using your own arms and hands as you've done in these diagrams is a brilliantly simple technique. Very nicely done! I'm now going to make one for my favourite focal lengths on Nikon/Fuji sized APS-C.

jcolwell wrote:
http://www.jcolwell.ca/photography/AoV/index.htm

I use the FF AoV diagrams at the link above.





Apr 15, 2017 at 06:14 PM
gyoung143
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · is there a tool one can check the focal length?




rdeloe wrote:
Jim, using your own arms and hands as you've done in these diagrams is a brilliantly simple technique. Very nicely done! I'm now going to make one for my favourite focal lengths on Nikon/Fuji sized APS-C.



Yes indeed, I'll give that a go, better warn the wife if I start flapping my arms about though...
Gerry



Apr 16, 2017 at 02:46 AM





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