Miscl. Meniscii

[Jim Galli]

A thread for images made with a single meniscus lens whether expensive, like Portland or cheap like found in the trash as these first 2 are....

Please post your work with these hyper-personality lenses.


http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/1929_Phaeton/HomeMadeLens-Dagor/ModelAWeepeingWillows_1s.jpg
model a, weeping willows

http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/1929_Phaeton/HomeMadeLens-Dagor/ModelAWeepeingWillows_2s.jpg
model a, weeping willows ii

The lens was a rescue and is really proving to be a pleasing picture maker. It was the main optic of an old Korean war era tracking telescope where I work. A co-worker had taken it apart to clean it up after 55 years in the weather and the main optic was very hazy (still is). Since he had a NOS one in the locker he had discarded this one and when I looked at it, it was obvious that it was a meniscus like the front of a petzval. I put it in pocket and later checked it's focal length, 375mm f5. A very useful size for LF. After everyone had gone home I checked several ABS waste pipe fittings and found that it was very close to fitting into a 3 inch male adapter. I chucked the male adaper into a lathe and turned until the optic would fit nicely.

These were done yesterday afternoon with the Kodak 2D 8X10. Wide open is all she's got.

[papah]

These are fresh from this week-end, on my Linhof III and CameraFusion digital back:

http://hemingway.cs.washington.edu/posts/lenses/Unnamed%20Meniscus%20Open.jpg
Maker Unknown, ~12 inch, wheel-stop removed

http://hemingway.cs.washington.edu/posts/lenses/Underwood%20Meniscus%20Open.jpg
Underwood Meniscus ~10 inch, iris removed

http://hemingway.cs.washington.edu/posts/lenses/Imagon-no%20aperture.jpg
Imagon 200mm, wide open, no diffusion wheel

[Steven Tribe]

Very Interesting - but not a surprise!

[goamules]

Excellent thread idea Jim! This was posted elsewhere too. 8x10 paper neg with Taylor Taylor Hobson Rapid View lens, at about F7.5.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4823899893_5ac693f386_b.jpg

[mandoman7]

A thread for images made with a single meniscus lens whether expensive, like Portland or cheap like found in the trash as these first 2 are....These were done yesterday afternoon with the Kodak 2D 8X10. Wide open is all she's got.

MacGyver of the Desert! With a great eye to boot. These two compositions really work for me, Jim.

[kissssss]

So nice! I just wonder how the ground glass viewing was when you focused... blur and glare same the results?

I took the front group of Voitgtlander Euryscop no.2 out, looked on the ground glass and saw it seam glare and blur but I couldn't focus to sharpest ability.

[Jim Galli]

So nice! I just wonder how the ground glass viewing was when you focused... blur and glare same the results?

I took the front group of Voitgtlander Euryscop no.2 out, looked on the ground glass and saw it seam glare and blur but I couldn't focus to sharpest ability.

Yes, doubtless that non image forming light, or glare, is part of the formula. I always bring the focus clear in front of the object and then just let it go back in.


These are fresh from this week-end, on my Linhof III and CameraFusion digital back:

Love that underwood. All are great.

[Stephane]

Back from the holidays, so here we go:

Lancaster 340(?) without the barrel
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/4837438973_e563322071_b.jpg

Suter Landscape Lens
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/4838037024_51d8058c2b_o.jpg

Overcame crowd shyness with 8x10 sinar... Lancaster quite closed (bright day), red filter to separate church roof from sky (and burned red tourists from beach). Collioure, France (my home).
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/4838037420_d1bd63308d_o.jpg

[Diane Maher]

Stephane,
I like how in that last one that the man is looking at you, but he is the only one who even notices you. Nice shot!

[JoeV]

Drive train, rusted old chain and sprocket "gifted" to me by my brother-in-law from Tuscon.

8"x10" nested box camera, 150mm binocular lens stopped down to 17mm aperture, camera f.l. extended to ~310mm for effective aperture of f/19, 2 second exposure on preflashed grade 2 paper negative.

~Joe

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4854506959_922c7a7a85_b.jpg

[JoeV]

Monster, clay figure crafted by my grandson, the arms and head articulate.

8"x10" nested box camera, 150mm binocular lens at f/20, 2 second exposure on preflashed grade 2 paper negative.

~Joe
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4855125988_2792df56d6_b.jpg

[Stephane]

Lancaster out of its barel. Intense back lighting.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4867847887_7cc02ee424_b.jpg

[Andrew Plume]

Stephane

That's terrific - it wouldn't be the lens from a Lancaster that you bought from.......would it..........?

andrew

[Stephane]

Stephane

That's terrific - it wouldn't be the lens from a Lancaster that you bought from.......

andrew ...you?
Thats the one! Nice glass, small size. Meniscus lenses are great for their softness or sharpness. Also, you only need one lens cap :)

[Andrew Plume]

...you?
Thats the one! Nice glass, small size. Meniscus lenses are great for their softness or sharpness. Also, you only need one lens cap :)

Stephane - great - very pleased that it's with a very 'creative home'

best


andrew

[papah]

New-to-me Darlot Pill-box, Linhof, Camerafusion Digital back:
http://hemingway.cs.washington.edu/posts/lenses/Darlot1-BW.jpg

[Scott --]

Great. Now I need a meniscus lens. :p

[Scott --]

Posted also to the "Cemeteries" thread:

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd359/smpsweeps/0049.jpg

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd359/smpsweeps/0048b.jpg

Rearranged half-a-Petzval, about 9" FL and f/7.7.

[Jim Graves]

A no-name 240 mm miniscus Whole Plate printed in carbon

http://home.comcast.net/~mary.j.graves/Soft Focus Carbon web copy 2.jpg

[Darryl Baird]

Excellent thread idea Jim! This was posted elsewhere too. 8x10 paper neg with Taylor Taylor Hobson Rapid View lens, at about F7.5.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4823899893_5ac693f386_b.jpg

Garret, what's the focal length of this lens? I love the soft/sharp filament and how the texture of the metal is rendered. ... like it a LOT

I think I'd like to buy a lens like that... what are its marking?

-Darryl

[goamules]

Darryl,
This one was a 10 inch Taylor Taylor Hobson. I say was, because I did sell it on this board, because I have another one. Look up the TTH "Rapid View Portrait", "Rapid View" (same lens, just the iris only goes down to f11) or later when Cooke remade them because of demand it was called the "Portrait Achromat". Dan's article here (http://www.antiquecameras.net/softfocuslenses2.html), or there is info on the Cooke site. It was a very famous lens, generations before the Veritos and such. It was probably one of the first true Soft Focus lenses, purpose built.

Here is one of mine:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4768691034_6c2c0ea58e_o.jpg

[Jim collum]

4 various meniscus (menisci? )

From Mr. Galli

shot thru the Betterlight


http://forum.getdpi.com/gallery/files/1/2/2010922_001.jpg

http://forum.getdpi.com/gallery/files/1/2/2010922_002.jpg


http://forum.getdpi.com/gallery/files/1/2/2010922_003.jpg


http://forum.getdpi.com/gallery/files/1/2/2010922_004.jpg

[Stephane]

4 various meniscus (menisci? )

You got nice pictures for sure...
Are these originally meniscii, or are parts of a lens?
I presume is is 4x5 format, so what where the FL?

[Jim Galli]

I think I like the third one best. It has the best contrast and color and the shimmering gold behind the 'pot' really pops. Interesting.

[jan labij]

Loved jim collum's images----hints of my favorite impressionist school of painting. I had never thought of using a single lens this way. If I am ever able to afford one, I had in mind longer land scapes.

[ustas]

"the cut" Imagon 300mm 13x18 scan neg

http://ipicture.ru/uploads/101004/10430/Rf3b3OlJSS.jpg (http://ipicture.ru/)

[Jim collum]

You got nice pictures for sure...
Are these originally meniscii, or are parts of a lens?
I presume is is 4x5 format, so what where the FL?

the FL varied from 6- about 9"

[eddie]

"the cut" Imagon 300mm 13x18 scan neg


great shot!

[Jim collum]

One of Jim Galli's offerings to me... very back focused (but everything in the images is optical, rather than digital)

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showpost.php?p=635245&postcount=831

[Jon Wilson]

Donnelly mist taken with a Galli Meniscus

[ustas]

Thanks eddie!
Jim, very interesting images especially in colour!
Jon, nice picture too!
It seems, Galli`s "creations" are in the right hands :)

here is one more, named "bleeding", taken with Imagon 300mm

http://ipicture.ru/uploads/101006/10430/RnxP2Kmtz7.jpg (http://ipicture.ru/)

[Jim Galli]

http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/MisclMenisci/12Darlot/12DarlotMenis_JoshuaTreeS.jpg
joshua tree

12" Darlot Landscape uncorked

[Jim Galli]

'nother one, same lens.


http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/MisclMenisci/12Darlot/Window12DarlotMenisSa.jpg
window, campbells chevrolet

[Stephane]

12" Darlot Landscape uncorked

Woaw! That's amazing, crazy effect!
French meniscii... hopefully one will come my way.

[Jon Wilson]

Here is a link to some images taken with a couple of meniscus lens...Galli Meniscus et al. The most recent ones were taken at Yellowstone a couple of weeks ago. http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=11871902
Jon

[Maris Rusis]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1431/5165526112_da6f6a12c0_z.jpg
Glasses and Pears

Gelatin-silver photograph on Fomabrom Variant111 FB VC, image area 24.7cm X 19.5cm, from a Fomapan 200 negative exposed in a Tachihara 8x10 camera with a 400mm single meniscus lens set at f11.

[ustas]

Glasses and Pears

Gelatin-silver photograph on Fomabrom Variant111 FB VC, image area 24.7cm X 19.5cm, from a Fomapan 200 negative exposed in a Tachihara 8x10 camera with a 400mm single meniscus lens set at f11.

beautiful shot! love it!

[papah]

I've recently modified an Imagon by replacing the strainer with an iris, an idea I got from Mark Sawyer, I think. Went for a walk yesterday with the Imagon on my Linhof and CameraFusion digital back:

http://hemingway.cs.washington.edu/posts/Imagon/Arboretum-03.jpg

Twelve shots from the walk are here:
http://hemingway.cs.washington.edu/portfolio/#/content/029-Arboretum/

It's a magical meniscus, and I don't have to worry about the highlight patterns that the strainer aperture often gives.

[Jim Galli]

I've recently modified an Imagon by replacing the strainer with an iris, an idea I got from Mark Sawyer, I think. Went for a walk yesterday with the Imagon on my Linhof and CameraFusion digital back:

Twelve shots from the walk are here:
http://hemingway.cs.washington.edu/portfolio/#/content/029-Arboretum/

It's a magical meniscus, and I don't have to worry about the highlight patterns that the strainer aperture often gives.

Mesmerized! I never thought I would covet a CameraFusion digital back, but.....

there goes the 10th commandment.

[ustas]

I've recently modified an Imagon by replacing the strainer with an iris, an idea I got from Mark Sawyer, I think. Went for a walk yesterday with the Imagon on my Linhof and CameraFusion digital back:

It's a magical meniscus, and I don't have to worry about the highlight patterns that the strainer aperture often gives.

Truly mesmerized!
I love the Imagon too! This image was taken without strainer disk
http://ipicture.ru/s1.uploads/20101114/gqEpcPMD.jpg (http://ipicture.ru/)

[gandolfi]

Mesmerized! I never thought I would covet a CameraFusion digital back, but.....

there goes the 10th commandment.

mesmerized, yes...

But.....

when I see they have been exposed digitally, I can't help feeling a little dissapointed.

Maybe because it shows something I can't do, and something I will never be able to do...

One thing though: the slideshow of the rest of the pictures makes me want to try out colour photography (I only wish I had places this colorfull........).

At this school - right now - there is a short course in painting. I know the short course students would love to see this!!
They all look a little like impressionistic paintings!

Beautiful - but out of my reach...

[gandolfi]

Truly mesmerized!
I love the Imagon too! This image was taken without strainer disk
http://ipicture.ru/s1.uploads/20101114/gqEpcPMD.jpg (http://ipicture.ru/)

beautiful!

Ustas: what lens don't you have?......:cool: :rolleyes:

[ustas]

beautiful!

Ustas: what lens don't you have?......:cool: :rolleyes:

Well... with certainty I can say, I have no Struss lens(
I shuold be a good Struss Pictorial lens owner I swear! :)

It`s funny, but I start thinking about colour shooting too :)

[Mark Sawyer]

Beautiful work with your Imagon, Bruce! Just the right match of optics-to-subject-to-mood. With that sort of imagery, I guess I can forgive the digital back... ;)

And Ustas, I've really come to look forward to seeing your work!

[papah]

Beautiful work with your Imagon, Bruce! Just the right match of optics-to-subject-to-mood. With that sort of imagery, I guess I can forgive the digital back... ;)

And Ustas, I've really come to look forward to seeing your work!

Thanks, Mark. Here is one from today, with my Darlot pill-box:
http://hemingway.cs.washington.edu/posts/PinkhamSmith/Darlot-1.jpg

digital capture...

[Stephane]

Sophie through a 24" Sutter Basel Landscape Meniscus out of barrel (f/8). I really like its settled softness.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5195663307_497cc0cf26_b.jpg

[Jim Galli]

Thanks, Mark. Here is one from today, with my Darlot pill-box:


digital capture...


Sophie through a 24" Sutter Basel Landscape Meniscus out of barrel (f/8). I really like its settled softness.



Wow! & Wow! I've got a 24" Lancaster that I've never played with. Need to.

[jan labij]

Hey papah, that color shot really blew me away. I've never shot color (other than 35mm), but maybe I better start.

[renes]

Sophie through a 24" Sutter Basel Landscape Meniscus out of barrel (f/8). I really like its settled softness.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5195663307_497cc0cf26_b.jpg

Wonderful softness, most of all I have seen with your lenses.

[papah]

Hey papah, that color shot really blew me away. I've never shot color (other than 35mm), but maybe I better start.

Thanks, Jan. Here is the last shot of the day with the Imagon:
http://hemingway.cs.washington.edu/posts/Imagon/Imagon-1.jpg

Stephanie: the portrait of Sophie is fantastic! Soft, with definition! I'm in love!

[ustas]

Wonderful softness, most of all I have seen with your lenses.
I agree with that! Perfect portrait!

[ustas]

http://ipicture.ru/uploads/20101122/Roo72lPh.jpg (http://ipicture.ru/)

Kalosat. 13x18 Ilford FP4 PLUS

[Jim Galli]

http://ipicture.ru/uploads/20101122/Roo72lPh.jpg (http://ipicture.ru/)

Kalosat. 13x18 Ilford FP4 PLUS

Very beautiful and I'm curious. What part does the quartz glass play here, ie. how would this look different done with an identical meniscus that was made of ordinary glass?

[Stephane]

Sorry to deceive you, but my name is Stephane, not Stephanie. This means I am a guy. People have made the mistake before, so I ended up in a woman's dorm for few nights. Damn me, I was too young to grasp the opportunity... Then it happened again few times, but I was married.

[Ramiro Elena]

I get people confused with my last name (Elena) even when they're right in front of me holding my ID.
Anyway its your lens what counts here (the one in your camera, not the one in your front pocket.)

[ustas]

Very beautiful and I'm curious. What part does the quartz glass play here, ie. how would this look different done with an identical meniscus that was made of ordinary glass?

Thanks Jim!
I understand your curiosity, but the idea to take another shot with a different meniscus didn`t come across to my head.

[papah]

Sorry to deceive you, but my name is Stephane, not Stephanie. This means I am a guy. People have made the mistake before, so I ended up in a woman's dorm for few nights. Damn me, I was too young to grasp the opportunity... Then it happened again few times, but I was married.

Oops, my apologies.

It's still a wonderful portrait...

[Maris Rusis]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5185649159_b981347b60_b.jpg
Bottles and Tumbler

Gelatin-silver photograph on Fomabrom Variant 111 VC FB, image area 24.7cm x 19.6cm, from a Fomapan 200 negative exposed in a Tachihara 810HD triple extension view camera fitted with a 400mm f7.5 single meniscus lens.

[ustas]

http://ipicture.ru/uploads/20101123/48Ugqvfv.jpg (http://ipicture.ru/)

"A seashell"
Kalosat f/6.3 4x5 Fujicolor 160NS

[jan labij]

Yes the portrait of Sophie is drop dead gorgeous. I like the seashell also. What has kept me away from color is the + or - 1/2 degree in the processing. I can't control the temps that well!!

[ustas]

http://ipicture.ru/uploads/20101126/MAK360Iw.jpg (http://ipicture.ru/)

"There was a time"
Kalosat, wide open,
13x18 Ilford FP4+

[Stephane]

Urna, as seen through a E.Anthony that Milan sold me.

Maybe 12", f/8?
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5285/5226955994_5812b91805_b.jpg

[Stephane]

Urna

Sutter basel landscape meniscus out of barrel f/8
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5226956364_5372ec1735_b.jpg

[goamules]

I really like seeing all your different iterations of soft. Very fun for us all!

[Stephane]

Thanks mister!
It is fun for me too! I enjoy the interaction with models very much, and I also like the results (otherwise I wouldn't post).

[Ramiro Elena]

It is fun for me too! I enjoy the interaction with models very much.

That's a good thing, for some of us not good with people it's a real hassle. I have an argument with my lady everytime I try to photograph her :S

[ustas]

http://s2.ipicture.ru/uploads/20101208/jzjITYOX.jpg (http://s2.ipicture.ru/)

"Rest in Peace"
Spencer-Portland wide open
8x10 Fujifilm Acros 100

[Stephane]

E. Anthony out of barrel (f/8). About 300mm.

Guro with the moos
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5232029753_de0aab3648_b.jpg

[gandolfi]

E. Anthony out of barrel (f/8). About 300mm.

Guro with the moos


THIS I LIKE!!

Gotta love humour in photography...

[gandolfi]

Tried out my "new" Taylor, Taylor and Hobson RV meniscus type lens.
Full aperture (removed from barrel)

my garden:

http://www.apug.org/gallery1/files/4/8/8/7/have2.jpg

an owl....

http://www.apug.org/gallery1/files/4/8/8/7/ugle1.jpg

[maurits]

First test with a no name funky old meniscus I found...

http://www.rexmundi.nl/photo/meniscus_01.jpg

Adox CHS 25 5x7" - I didn't use the sieve on the lens, only the barrel.

http://www.rexmundi.nl/photo/_DSC8518.jpg

Over the weekend, I will try some old buildings.

Cheers, Maurits



.

[eddie]

Nice shot Maurits.

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Natalie, with only the rear elements of a Gasc Chaconet.

Jim

[walter23]

Vancouver's Granville Bridge with an old box camera meniscus on my speed graphic:

http://visualfiction.org/zenphoto/albums/4x5new/sm-img011.jpg

And a tree (don't much care for this one; the high contrast makes the soft focus look weird).

http://visualfiction.org/zenphoto/albums/4x5new/sm-img010.jpg

[Jon Wilson]

Here are my first attempts with my 9 inch Struss...I know it can produce great images...I look forward to seeing what images I can produce with this lens.

Jon

[Jim Galli]

Here are my first attempts with my 9 inch Struss...I know it can produce great images...I look forward to seeing what images I can produce with this lens.

Jon

Good stuff Jon. I love the Struss lenses. Wish I could have had the 21" that came and went. Your tones look great. They're sharper than you think. Details are all there, but very pleasingly soft too, and the out of focus areas are wonderful.

[Jon Wilson]

Thanks Jim. The Struss lens is a gem! I too wish I could have had the coin for that 21 inch Struss. I wonder who ended up with it? Anyone here on the forum? Jon

[renes]

My first meniscus photo.
6" lens f/6.3, took out from shutter of Kodak No.3A Authographic camera and fitted to Compound shutter and than to my Bergheil 6x9 (hope you do not mind it's not LF).
Plus-X and D-76.

I took similar shots with Heliar and Aplanat but my wife liked this menisci most.

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8435/menisci.jpg

[Jim Galli]

Who could blame her. Beautiful portrait of a lovely lady.

[bobpin]

http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu222/bobpin/Documentary/BigWong.jpg

Unknown meniscus on 4x5 camera, HP5+ processed with 510-pyro 1:300 16mins

[renes]

Who could blame her. Beautiful portrait of a lovely lady.

Thanks Jim.

I chose this one, the same lens:

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2563/menisci2.jpg

[Maris Rusis]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/5284664592_5d10b024bb_b.jpg
Agave and Herbs, Soft Focus

Gelatin-silver photograph on Fomabrom Variant 111 VC FB, image area 19.6cm X 24,7cm, from a Fomapan 200 8x10 negative exposed in a Tachihara 810HD triple extension field view camera with a 400mm f11 single meniscus lens.

[mdm]

Agave and Herbs, Soft Focus

Gelatin-silver photograph on Fomabrom Variant 111 VC FB, image area 19.6cm X 24,7cm, from a Fomapan 200 8x10 negative exposed in a Tachihara 810HD triple extension field view camera with a 400mm f11 single meniscus lens.

That is really very good Maris. Leaves like flames. Thanks for posting.

[Ramiro Elena]

This is with the front cemented doublet from my dad's Petzval. It converts to 300mm ƒ5 aprox. Shot with the 5x7 Sinar

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5326930662_9cdf72837e_b.jpg

[Jim Galli]

This is with the front cemented doublet from my dad's Petzval. It converts to 300mm ƒ5 aprox. Shot with the 5x7 Sinar



Nice!

[Mark Sawyer]

This is with the front cemented doublet from my dad's Petzval. It converts to 300mm ƒ5 aprox. Shot with the 5x7 Sinar


I agree with Jim, quite lovely! I notice the highlight "glow" seems to radiate to the outward side from the center of the frame. Would this classify it as coma rather than spherical aberration?

[Ramiro Elena]

Thanks. This is with the front piece reversed. The spherical aberration with its normal orientation is very evident. I want to try it with a portrait. I like how the flowers in the shadow project a dark glow.

[Paul Fitzgerald]

"This is with the front cemented doublet from my dad's Petzval."

You may want to try the other cell alone also, it would be even softer.

[Ramiro Elena]

"This is with the front cemented doublet from my dad's Petzval."

You may want to try the other cell alone also, it would be even softer.

The air spaced doublet in the back or just one of its components?

[Paul Fitzgerald]

"The air spaced doublet in the back or just one of its components?"

The whole air spaced doublet.

Sorry to be late, have fun with it.

[Stephane]

Diva Grotesque
Thought I post it in this thread, as a magnifying glass can be considered as a meniscus.

360/3
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5336105786_198a98d1d0_b.jpg

[Stephane]

Benedicte, though the front element of a 16" Vitax at f/6.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5291/5400583563_94d3009afa_b.jpg

[Ramiro Elena]

Surprisingly sharp!

[Stephane]

Yes, but look at the pearls... Maybe I should have pulled the rear more towards me, but it was at maximum bellow extension... The meniscus have a roughly 666 mm FL (nice number?).

[eddie]

playig with some soft focus lenses. i am trying to dial it all in. neg exposure and printing exposure seems to really have an affect. a few of my wide open shots were a bit too much so i need to shoot some more sheets.

but for now here is an 18 inch spencer port-land on 4x5 at f8

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/3/5/7/8/5/0/webimg/444851403_o.jpg

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/3/5/7/8/5/0/webimg/444851415_o.jpg

[goamules]

5x7 Tri-X Kodak 405.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5472252081_16b1c4fd46_b.jpg

[Jon Wilson]

5x7 Tri-X Kodak 405.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5472252081_16b1c4fd46_b.jpg

Very nice Garrett. Jon

[Jon Wilson]

playig with some soft focus lenses. i am trying to dial it all in. neg exposure and printing exposure seems to really have an affect. a few of my wide open shots were a bit too much so i need to shoot some more sheets.

but for now here is an 18 inch spencer port-land on 4x5 at f8

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/3/5/7/8/5/0/webimg/444851403_o.jpg

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/3/5/7/8/5/0/webimg/444851415_o.jpg

Looks like fun lens Eddie. Was that one of the large neighborhood cats that was bothering you? Take it down with a with 270? Jon

[taulen]

Gave this meniscus thing a chance.
Its a pretty large convex lens element, about 10cm in diameter, and aprox 100mm in focal length. But too mount it I glued it to a cheap lens-board. So its aproximately an f2 lens.
So here it comes.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5518232671_8a9c0f5175_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/taulen/5518232671/)
Hennessy XO cognac - 4x5 (soft focus) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/taulen/5518232671/) by taulen (http://www.flickr.com/people/taulen/), on Flickr

[Scott --]

Jonny, that is sweeeet!

[Pipit]

My first tried with the 4" Achromatic meniscus after getting it from Jim. Both shot on Shanghai Film. Not yet done with my darkroom rebuild so the scans are from my negatives.

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk46/PipitJ/LF2011-16.jpg

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk46/PipitJ/LF2011-17.jpg

[taulen]

Jonny, that is sweeeet!

Thank you so much Scott =)

[eddie]

My first tried with the 4" Achromatic meniscus after getting it from Jim. Both shot on Shanghai Film. Not yet done with my darkroom rebuild so the scans are from my negatives.]

that second shot reminds me of tonsai and railey beach. where is it?

[Pipit]

that second shot reminds me of tonsai and railey beach. where is it?


Eddie you has a very good memory. Yes, it's Railley beach, Krabi. :)

[eddie]

Eddie you has a very good memory. Yes, it's Railley beach, Krabi. :)

excellent. do you live there? i have very good friends living there. we need to talk. i love Thailand. i lived there for most of a 7 years stint. i will be back in july -oct of 2011. lets meet up.

eddie

[Pipit]

excellent. do you live there? i have very good friends living there. we need to talk. i love Thailand. i lived there for most of a 7 years stint. i will be back in july -oct of 2011. lets meet up.

eddie


I'm not living in Krabi but my hometown is "Phang Nga" which is very near by. I normally work in Bangkok but go back there quite often. Do let me know when you come so we could meet up.

[ThePhilosopher]

One of Jim's Meniscus Lenses+Expired Plus-X (I really wish I hadn't clipped off her foot in the second shot):
http://www.bartkophoto.com/Alex/Alex_F_0003.jpg
http://www.bartkophoto.com/Alex/Alex_F_0002.jpg

[taulen]

One of Jim's Meniscus Lenses+Expired Plus-X (I really wish I hadn't clipped off her foot in the second shot):


I like these :D And you are right, shame with the feet =/ Good work tho =)

[Jim Galli]

Some great stuff going on here.

A new one done today;


http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/4sale060907/135F7Gundy_10.jpg
the long hood

A little uncorked Wollensak Junior 135mm f7 on 4X5

[David Aimone]

Thank you Jim! Your little meniscus in Efke/Pyro-MC
http://www.davidaimone.com/img/s1/v20/p263076212-4.jpg

[Kirk Gittings]

Very nice Jim.


Some great stuff going on here.

A new one done today;


http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/4sale060907/135F7Gundy_10.jpg
the long hood

A little uncorked Wollensak Junior 135mm f7 on 4X5

[David Aimone]

Thanks again, Jim!
http://www.davidaimone.com/img/s1/v20/p1066591662-4.jpg

[David Aimone]

Same lens as the portrait and flower below, but in a landscape setting. I'm not sure the aperture used, thought it was wide open but I'd find that hard to believe. If so, it's sharper at a distance than I thought it would be!

http://www.davidaimone.com/img/v20/p336751867-4.jpg

[Stephane]

Nice one! At least you wont get droplets on the front element!

[Stephane]

Alina, through Steven's Port-Land 18" @ f/6

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5077/5815787350_559a521422_b.jpg

[David Aimone]

Another image with my Mr. Galli setup, wide open:

http://www.davidaimone.com/img/v34/p866647083-4.jpg

[Jim Galli]

OK, how do I do this without seeming to be self serving :cool:

That is a gorgeous image.

[ImSoNegative]

Here are a couple i shot today testing out this meniscus lens i bought from Jim, i used it on a 5x7 korona view

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6448068991_588700979d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/28713901@N04/6448068991/)
testing out a meniscus lens on 5x7 II (http://www.flickr.com/photos/28713901@N04/6448068991/) by J. Golden (http://www.flickr.com/people/28713901@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6448069167_063071e3f3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/28713901@N04/6448069167/)
testing out a meniscus lens on 5x7 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/28713901@N04/6448069167/) by J. Golden (http://www.flickr.com/people/28713901@N04/), on Flickr

[ImSoNegative]

lots and lots of newton rings on that last one

[jcoldslabs]

Just posted this in the "Still Life" thread but it seems more appropriate here. (Sorry, I'm new. If cross-posting is a no-no just smack me upside the head!)

Portra 160 4x5, expired 2001. Single element loupe as the lens. Pacemaker Speed Graphic.

Texture/grain artifacts are a result of my unfamiliarity with the scanning equipment (Microtek i900).

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Dying%20Tulips.jpg

[northcarolinajack]

This is an abandon house from an abandon mill village so common in North Carolina 70 years ago. I have been enjoying the Scovill len.

Camera – Old Speed Graflex with Scovill Lens shot with Ilford HP4 process in HC110

Jack


www.facebook.com/pages/Jack-Harris-Photography/109348465760954

[Mark Sawyer]

Just posted this in the "Still Life" thread but it seems more appropriate here. (Sorry, I'm new. If cross-posting is a no-no just smack me upside the head!)

Cross-posting is only acceptable if the image is wonderful. Yours qualifies! :)

[Axon990]

http://i.imgur.com/fuH4t.jpg

My younger sister, where she can be found most hours of the day.

Front element from a pair of binoculars duct-taped to a Seneca 4x5 camera, with the ground glass slightly out of alignment (hence the out-of-focus face). 20sec exposure on Fotokemika Varykon RC paper cut to fit in a holder. Developed in D-76 for ten-ish minutes in a primitive non-heated darkroom.

[jcoldslabs]

Cross-posting is only acceptable if the image is wonderful. Yours qualifies!

Mark,

High praise, thank you. I am very happy with the image--a happy surprise upon scanning the negative. I did very little to the scan other than remove dust. The color saturation for such old film surprised me. Admittedly, there may have been some "auto" settings on the scanner at play here that I have not yet changed. I'm getting better, though. Scanning is an art I have yet to master.

As a relative newcomer to these forums I am happy to report my image posts have been received with warmth and kindness. I hope to return the favor over time.

Jonathan

[goamules]

Struss Pictorial Lens 9" on 5x7 FP4. I'm really glad I took some time to work with this lens over Christmas.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6584427861_c8bbea04dd_o.png

[Jon Wilson]

14 inch Dallmeyer #2 Rapid Landscape with the barrel removed (meniscus). The Yellow Lilly was too washed out for me, but this should be an interesting lens.

[Jon Wilson]

Here are a couple of shots taken with my 9 inch Struss.

[goamules]

Good to see some soft focus in color, Jon. Hey, you might want to post the Struss shots in the Struss thread: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=78953

[Jon Wilson]

Good to see some soft focus in color, Jon. Hey, you might want to post the Struss shots in the Struss thread: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=78953

Thanks Garrett. I will do so. Do we have a Spencer Port-Land thread started? I picked a 9" inch on recently. :D

[eddie]

Thanks Garrett. I will do so. Do we have a Spencer Port-Land thread started? I picked a 9" inch on recently. :D

Yup. Get to it. Ask ken lee.

[adamc]

I picked up a few meniscus lenses from Surplus Shed and stuck them on the front of my Speed Graphic using a contraption made from plywood, wood glue, and black paint. These are from the 250mm. Both are around f/4.


http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6037/7002738721_0f4e2afcef_z.jpg
scanned neg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/7002738221_b7b093008f_z.jpg
scanned neg

[Mark Sawyer]

Lovely work, and a lovely effect from the lens, Adam.

[adamc]

Thanks Mark!

[Darryl Baird]

excellent sharing and info...

do you have the part numbers handy?
I love SS, but their catalog is daunting to browse through.... fatigue sets in about 20 pages deep. ;)

-Darryl

[adamc]

Darryl ,

Here's the info from my invoice:
SKU: L7135 Lens: PMN, Dia: 46.8, Focal: 250, Coated, $4

It took a few attempts to come up with a design that works well, and I was looking for a lens that gave me a nice flat/even image at infinity. Some other lenses gave me really funky results - and not in a good way. This one is nice.
I attached a couple pictures of the setup too, I made two boards with 2 holes each for apertures, placed about 3/4 inch in front of the lens. They work well with no vignetting, and they are close enough to f/6, f/8, f/16, f/22 to accurately meter.



71066 71067

Adam

[cdholden]

Adam,
I like the "aperture box". It's not self-contained like the wheel design of old, but still just as functional, and probably easier to make... also easier to add other boards for "stopping down" further.
Good work!

Chris

[adamc]

"Aperture box", I like it!
I couldn't think of a good name for this thing, but that's perfect. Thanks Chris.

[Reinhold Schable]

Many do not realize is that Photography's very first designed lens was/is the Wollaston Meniscus, as invented by William Wollaston (England, 1812).

Upon first viewing the ground glass one is greeted with the challenge of focusing such a primitive objective.
There's a "learning curve" involved with a Wollaston Meniscus.
Here are two examples of a 285mm lens at f:5.6 and f:11, shot on 5x7 FP4.

The configuration of the 285mm lens is the same as the 190mm shown on a Speed Graphic lensboard.

More about these lenses here:

www.Re-inventedPhotoEquip.com

Reinhold

71085 71086 71087

[buggz]

Sinar f2 - simple meniscus lens in Polaroid shutter - 3sec. bulb "guess"
Lens build from Jim Galli.
Crop from scanned 4x5 instant FUJI FP-100C45

"Kitty Dreams"
http://www.cornbread.com/~buggz/KittyDreams-03.jpg

[Jim Galli]

Sinar f2 - simple meniscus lens in Polaroid shutter - 3sec. bulb "guess"
Lens build from Jim Galli.
Crop from scanned 4x5 instant FUJI FP-100C45

"Kitty Dreams"
http://www.cornbread.com/~buggz/KittyDreams-03.jpg

Nice to see a color shot with one of those. Notice how there's no color fringing. Nice glow but the achromatic effect of the 2 cemented glasses cancels the color fringe you get with a 'simple' meniscus like a 2F99.

Put tags around your url for it to come up here.

[buggz]

Ahh, so, it's cemented pair, I will edit my metadata template, thanks.
I really like this, I only opened it in ACR, spot removed the dust, and cropped.
I tried my CS5 digital workflow, didn't like the results from any of the actions.
It doesn't need any stinking PP.
I like it.
I now REALLY NEED to learn to load 4x5 sheet film, AND get a meter device.

[adamc]

Here is another one from yesterday evening. I used my "aperture box" with a yellow filter.
I have yet to print any of these, I'm wondering if they'll lose their appeal without the backlighting of the computer monitor...We'll see this weekend.


Minnehaha Creek, bridge
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7124/7049103225_b4993dd31d_c.jpg
scanned neg

[Kirk Gittings]

Damn man-that is gorgeous.

[cdholden]

Indeed.
On the right paper, I think this would make a very nice print.

[adamc]

Thanks guys! It means a lot coming from you.

[Ramiro Elena]

That lens you made is fantastic. It would be cool to stick it behind a shutter.

[cdholden]

Or on a board, in front of a Sinar shutter.

[jcoldslabs]

Testing out an old loupe as a lens, taped to some cardboard on the front of my Speed Graphic. Shot on ten year expired Portra 400.

http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/Loupe-Seedling.jpg
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Jonathan

[David Brunell]

"Minnehaha Creek, bridge"

WOW adamc, pictorialism at it's best. Really, really good.

[SergeiR]

Wollaston lense 285mm , Adox 25 4x5, hand shutter

-1-
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5191/6911881578_db5a0be362_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sergeistudio/6911881578/)
Bench: Experiments with Wollaston Lense (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sergeistudio/6911881578/) by Sergei Rodionov (http://www.flickr.com/people/sergeistudio/), on Flickr

-2-
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5155/6911881718_b8742ecfa5_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sergeistudio/6911881718/)
Morning: Experiments with Wollaston Lense (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sergeistudio/6911881718/) by Sergei Rodionov (http://www.flickr.com/people/sergeistudio/), on Flickr

[buggz]

4x5 Sinar f2 - cemeted pair meniscus from Jim Galli - Fuji Instant
Swirlly background, wee...
http://www.cornbread.com/~buggz/RedRose.jpg