The Use of Historic Lenses in Contemporary Photography

[Tony Lakin]

Written by Paul Lipscombe, refreshing to see a book of this nature produced in the UK, now published and distributed by Robert White, well illustrated and an excellent read.

http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/product.asp?P_ID=3461

[Drew Wiley]

Thanks. That looks like an interesting book. I'll have to order a copy. Unfortunately,
creating more awareness of classic lenses will inevitably drive up their prices (unless
there's a gigantic earthquake in Tonopah and a certain individual is terrified into selling
off his hoard!)

[Steven Tribe]

I think I see Sinar and Linhof lens boards in the ad.
Are all images made on film?

[Tony Lakin]

I think I see Sinar and Linhof lens boards in the ad.
Are all images made on film?

Hi Steven
I enjoyed meeting up with you and the other lads on Skye last month:) , the author of the book obviously uses film for his work as he refers to a Mentor reflex camera that he has converted to use 7x5 inch DDS and Sinar lens panels, there is no reference to film types or processing methods but lots of info on lens types and designs, shutter adaptations etc., I am sure you would enjoy it as I have:) .

Regards
Tony

[Darin Boville]

Does anyone have this book? Hard to tell anything about it except the obvious. Number of pages? A sample page that can be read online (the ones there show pretty pictures of lenses but I can't read the text). Quality of printing? Type of binding?

--Darin

[Steven Tribe]

Likewise Tony!
Strange about the 5x7 Mentor as I have one too, waiting for a modern useable back.
He must have been restricted in lens options sizewise!
If this is just a booklet, I'm not so interested. But there is obviously a need for a comprehensive book. When I look at the quality/composition of the images in the brochure that were used to sell the Plasticca ( and many others too) in the 20's compared with what our gifted comrades-in-arms can get out of them now - I know there would be an interest outside our small group.

[Tony Lakin]

Does anyone have this book? Hard to tell anything about it except the obvious. Number of pages? A sample page that can be read online (the ones there show pretty pictures of lenses but I can't read the text). Quality of printing? Type of binding?

--Darin

I have the book, it is a softback 17 X 24.5 centimeters, 167 pages, the general content is technical and historic, many photos of lenses, diagrams of lens types, lists of lens types produced by various manufacturers, some landscape and portrait photos to demonstrate effects etc., I am no book connoisseur but would say in my opinion the quality of the printing is pretty good.

[Darin Boville]

Great--thanks. Do you think it offers info not readily available here?

--Darin

[Tony Lakin]

Great--thanks. Do you think it offers info not readily available here?

--Darin

Darin
That's kinda hard to answer, to find something you need to know what to search for, I have had in interest in older lenses and indeed own and used a few for many years, I also read stuff about old lenses on the forums etc., I would say that the book contains a lot of stuff I didn't previously Know.

Hope thios helps

[CCHarrison]

I justed posted a mini-review of this book.

See http://antiquecameras.net/blog.html

Dan

[r.e.]

This afternoon I downloaded the iBook sample (first 24 pages) and then the whole book. It is clearly written and nicely melds the historical, technical and practical. I don't know what experts will think, but as someone who is not well versed on historic lenses, I am impressed. Nice to come across a book on the subject that holds my attention/doesn't make my eyes glaze over.

[Steven Tribe]

Exactly! The extracts are very easily read and the layout and combination of pictures/text help retain interest. Of course, we would have liked more - but what he does write seems flawless.

[Mark Sawyer]

If anyone knows where a hard copy of this book might be available, please let me know. There's no mention of it on the Robert White site, and only digital downloads available on the web.

[paulbarden]

If anyone knows where a hard copy of this book might be available, please let me know. There's no mention of it on the Robert White site, and only digital downloads available on the web.

I can only see it available as an eBook (https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-use-of-historic-lenses-in-contemporary-photography/id474764297). Nothing on fleabay.

[Tin Can]

Perhaps India Print on Demand

I have bought several old USA Army Photography tomes printed and delivered to USA very cheaply

[xkaes]

Along the same lines, here is a link to "THE SOFT-FOCUS LENS AND ANGLO-AMERICAN PICTORIALISM (http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/softfocusthesis.phd)" by William Russell Young, III -- A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of St. Andrews in 2008.

This one's free.

[Tin Can]

I read it once before

Now again

Thanks for posting

and I especially thank the author



Along the same lines, here is a link to "THE SOFT-FOCUS LENS AND ANGLO-AMERICAN PICTORIALISM (http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/softfocusthesis.phd)" by William Russell Young, III -- A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of St. Andrews in 2008.

This one's free.