Re: Small Format SOFT focus lenses
Thanks, I'll read that. I don't consider a filter or add on to a lens a "soft focus lens". Like we know, in Large Format soft focus came about very early, even in the wetplate era, then in the 1900s Pictorialism era, then the Hollywood glamour era. Then kind of died except some portrait studio work. The soft of the 1970s was often done with a filter, on 35mm. And you can tell by looking at the shots. There are levels of SF quality....
Re: Small Format SOFT focus lenses
Re: Small Format SOFT focus lenses
Your images drove me to https://kenrockwell.com/leica/50mm-f2-summitar.htm to learn more. He covers it I suppose.
Before eye surgery I rejected all RF but now it’s all I can shoot. An M3 M2 may be what I want now.
Been testing Topcon MF RF but modern film holders don’t fit only wood ones.
I wish I had worked on Brass Era cars. My oldest challenge was a Stutz Bearcat. Drives like a 50’s truck but very regal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
goamules
Re: Small Format SOFT focus lenses
Yeah, I've always found it funny how LF photographers want lenses that are soft, swirly, have wild bokeh and 35mm photographers want super sharp with no edge aberrations. It should be the opposite. I find precise small format lenses boring, like a shot from a cell phone ("perfect"). I look for and keep the more primitive, early small format lenses that show some character. The Summitar seems to be one of those, and I enjoyed using it on my trip to Maine this month.
Re: Small Format SOFT focus lenses
Hi Garrett
good work as ever
when I owned an M3 I had a Summitar and read a lot of the on-line reviews, it seemed to me to be unpopular because of the lack of sharpness but like you, that was exactly what appealed
best regards
andrew
Re: Small Format SOFT focus lenses
Nice to hear you like them too Andrew, thanks for the kind words...as always!
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Small Format SOFT focus lenses
Selfmounted quartz soft focus lens inspired by the Kalosat lens...
Attachment 180582
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Small Format SOFT focus lenses
Attachment 180583
same lens, but with UV transmission filter