<warning> Fuzzy Picture Post </warning>

[Jim Galli]

I've just completed a new page (http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/405Kodak18PlastigEtc042907/WeekendsWork.html) at my web site with pictures done with 5 historic Portrait lenses. Bokeh + ! I've compared the Kodak 405 Portrait, Bausch & Lomb Plastigmat Portrait, Gundlach Hyperion, Voigtlander Heliar, and a no-name B&L Balopticon projector lens.

http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/405Kodak18PlastigEtc042907/WeekendsWork.html

If you're interested in fuzzy pictures, go have a look. Photospeak at the end about each of the lenses used.

If you don't like fuzzy pictures, or me, ignore this thread.

If you see something you like, or don't, I'd love the feedback.

I'll double post this for my friends over at APUG too.

[Shen45]

Thanks Jim, as always very informative. Is that the same green Ford that was in the driveway when I saw you? So it actually runs? :)

Baja would make an interesting trip. Very interesting !!

[wfwhitaker]

Guess that's what happens when you store your Viagra in the same place you keep your boots...

That Hyperion looks pretty nice!

[Paul Metcalf]

As usual, a "typically fun Galli weekend." Very creative.

Two thoughts/comments:
1. The highlight halos in the first two pictures are interesting, but the third picture doesn't have any (but also using the B&L at f8), maybe because the highlights are not very bright (flare maybe, within the elements?)
2. Did you use any swing with the heliar that you were aware of?

Ok, three things. Everyone knows that Ford gas tanks have to come out the top. (Or at least we know now. Thanks!).

[Jim Galli]

As usual, a "typically fun Galli weekend." Very creative.

Two thoughts/comments:
1. The highlight halos in the first two pictures are interesting, but the third picture doesn't have any (but also using the B&L at f8), maybe because the highlights are not very bright (flare maybe, within the elements?)
2. Did you use any swing with the heliar that you were aware of?

Ok, three things. Everyone knows that Ford gas tanks have to come out the top. (Or at least we know now. Thanks!).


Paul, the first 2 were done on Fri. eve. with a hot light. The next one was done in mostly open shade the next day. Plus I've backed out some so depth was slightly greater. Yes, i used some rear swing with the Heliar. Is it noticeable?

Will, you're a demented soul. :D

Steve, the Ford runs....when it wants to.

[Geary Lyons]

Jim,
Very nice images, but I would not expect less from you! Hoping to get some more experience with the Meyer around Memorial weekend on the Oregon coast.

Cheers,
Geary

[Paul Metcalf]

Jim-
Swing is not noticeable until one trys to guess at the film plane, and it only seems to make sense if a swing is used. Pictures are great.

A little oil and some boot trees and those boots are ready for another 1000 miles.

[Mark Sawyer]

Lovely images, Jim. The rice grass was a wonderful choice; it shows a lovely glow with those old lenses. And the blogs with all the info are much appreciated... I sometimes feel like I'm watching the start of a bit of a renaissance movement in photography, seeing the work you, Kerik, and others here are posting here with the soft focus optics. After all, if "masters" are judged by how much they influence those around them, you're right up there!

Coincidentally, I bought an 18" Plastigmat Portrait lens a couple of months ago; hoping to give it a good workout this summer. How does one tell if it has the "modifier" on it? I noticed it has an aluminum hood on the front of the brass barrel, and the iris is surprisingly close to the front element.

And btw, you should consider hosting a soft-focus/wide-open workshop/get-together someday!

[Eric James]

Nice study for sure! I'm becoming more and more attracted to the character of these oldies - I might have to expand my quiver. WFW, the boots look plenty stiff without pharmaceutical intervention.

[Ash]

Custom number plate eh? :D

[Jim Galli]

Lovely images, Jim. The rice grass was a wonderful choice; it shows a lovely glow with those old lenses. And the blogs with all the info are much appreciated... I sometimes feel like I'm watching the start of a bit of a renaissance movement in photography, seeing the work you, Kerik, and others here are posting here with the soft focus optics. After all, if "masters" are judged by how much they influence those around them, you're right up there!

Coincidentally, I bought an 18" Plastigmat Portrait lens a couple of months ago; hoping to give it a good workout this summer. How does one tell if it has the "modifier" on it? I noticed it has an aluminum hood on the front of the brass barrel, and the iris is surprisingly close to the front element.

And btw, you should consider hosting a soft-focus/wide-open workshop/get-together someday!


Thanks for all the nice responses. Keep them coming. Mark, if yours has the glass up front, that's it. Mine just has the aperture. Try it both with and without the front glass and you'll be able to see the difference quite easily. Focal length is changed slightly with the front element, but not like a Verito. It's more like a 10 or 15% change.

As to workshops, I've toyed with an idea of giving one on one workshops for folks who would like to play with a host of giant cameras and weird optics to see what is what without making the corresponding huge investment.

Ash, can folks in UK get equivalent custom number plates? California USA is even more generous and would allow me to register the beasty with original matching 1939 plates if I found them. Nevada won't allow that. My kids bought me the fancy plates for a fathers day present :cool:

[Joe Forks]

Love it Jim! Every time I visit your site I get stuck browsing for an hour or more. That's a good thing though. Thanks for sharing.

Best
Joe

[Paul Fitzgerald]

Jim,

Thanks, you did it again. Is that the Gundlach Hyperion with the 'rain drops' ?

For your Ford gas tank, Harley-Davidson used to carry a "slosh" for coating the inside of gas tanks, might help.

Hollywood was right, that lens puts on 20 pounds.

[Jim Galli]

Jim,

Thanks, you did it again. Is that the Gundlach Hyperion with the 'rain drops' ?

For your Ford gas tank, Harley-Davidson used to carry a "slosh" for coating the inside of gas tanks, might help.

Hollywood was right, that lens puts on 20 pounds.

Yes, it's the one with the water spots, and the seperating front element, and, and, and....... It's got more problems than a 13 year old mother but it still manages to make a fine photograph ;)

[Brian Ellis]

As an aside, when your tax lady solicited your contribution she hopefully didn't mislead you into thinking you would be able to take a tax deduction based on the fair market value of the photograph you donated. The only deduction you can take for self-created art is the cost of the materials, i.e. the cost of the sheet of paper on which your photograph was printed (plus mat and frame if applicable).

[Ernest Purdum]

The triplet is interesting. I don't suppose many people would have thought about it, including me. Do you have any idea about the aperture?

[Amund BLix Aaeng]

Always a pleasure seeing your photographs Jim, you really make those old lenses sing! :)
That old Kodak Portrait lens had a really cool look.


I actually took a photograph because of you today, I remembered you spoke about your Ford truck, so here`s one for you:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/481602195_40e72559c3_o.jpg

Not the supercracy bokeh of your classics, but smooth enough. :)

[Jim Galli]

Thanks Amund. Glad I inspired :) Ernest, it's about f5.6 iirc. Pretty fast and no aperture to get in the way.

[m messerly]

#4 and 5, I love that 'look' with the rice grass (plant bits). The portraits are quite striking. I greatly enjoy exploring the 'discards' of the 'just exactly perfect' school to see if they can be applied in a creative, pleasing way. The artifacts/effect with the softness, the glow, is wonderful.

[adrian tyler]

a lot of food for though there jim, thanks

[Jack Flesher]

Jim:

That 18" Bausch & Lomb Plastigmat Portrait shot of the boots is awesome! Bet it looks great printed.

Cheers,

[Jim Galli]

Jim:

That 18" Bausch & Lomb Plastigmat Portrait shot of the boots is awesome! Bet it looks great printed.

Cheers,

Actually, that's the one I chose for the Walk a thon. I printed it darker on some Forte paper to add a bit more drama and to get the lit lace area to pop with more detail. Framed this afternoon and it will be fun to give it away....although....you have to wonder if the person that ends up with it will have 1 clue about what they're getting. They have to stand on their own right? I may include a sheet on the back about how it was made. In 50 years it may mean something to someone. Cheers! Jim

[Duane Polcou]

I really enjoy viewing your photographs. "Desert still lifes" is a cool (and unique?) idea. You should make a book dummy and shop it around.