An 8X10 Soft Focus Christmas. Pinkham Bi-Quality, BnL Tessar, 14X17 Softy, RDArtar

[Jim Galli]

Seems the soft focus craze has peaked and some of the lenses are getting a little more affordable. Good news for those of us who use and love them!

I had a New2Me Pinkham Bi-Quality lens that I took north to Reno/Sparks over Christmas. Christmas eve found me in a bit of a different venue for playing with old lenses. I was at the Ferguson showroom in Sparks, where my daughter works, and decided the light and all the shiny surfaces would be fun to waste some film on.

I did 14 shots over a 3 hour + or - period with 4 lenses. The oddball that I started with is an early Universal Anastigmat Wide Angle 14X17 lens. Someone long ago fiddled with the aperture so that it allows f7 or so which was never the design intent. It's wonderfully soft that way.

I also had along a Bausch & Lomb 8X10 Tessar, a rather plebian lens but a surprisingly fine performer. It has the classic 1st generation uncoated anastigmat look. Stand down Heliar's.

Thanks for allowing me to share a bit. Pics are here.

http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/Fe...ons122414.html

[ghostcount]

These are wondeful Jim!

[Hugo Zhang]

Jim,

Wonderful dreamy stuff and they have brought smiles into my face.

I have a new-to-me Bi-Quality lens as well. Couldn't resist the temptation of its low price. Its rear element is too long for my shutter box and I have to wait for a adapter box.

Thanks for sharing them!

[Jim Galli]

These are wondeful Jim!

Jim,

Wonderful dreamy stuff and they have brought smiles into my face.

I have a new-to-me Bi-Quality lens as well. Couldn't resist the temptation of its low price. Its rear element is too long for my shutter box and I have to wait for a adapter box.

Thanks for sharing them!

Thanks both! Yeah, I had to cobble a spacer together so the lens will hang out front of the Packard. It ain't pretty. In fact if some druggie breaks into the car, it's so ugly that's the lens he'd leave behind ;~'))

[Tin Can]

Thanks Jim!

A great way to study!

[John Kasaian]

Beautiful pictures, Mr. Galli

[Mark Sawyer]

Beautiful and interesting! A curious but perfect mix of lenses, and a thoughtful, knowledgable eye...

[Jody_S]

That 8x10 B&L Tessar does seem to be a keeper. I'm not just saying that because I picked one up just before Christmas and have yet to try it, it has a beautiful look judging from your image.

[goamules]

Your work makes we want to get out and shoot some LF this weekend. Thanks!

[David Karp]

Nice Jim. I really like that B&L!