Pinkham & Smith Series II Semi Achromatic 15 inch f6! First Fruits.

[Jim Galli]

The Pinkham & Smith Semi Achromatic lenses are the holy grail to some of us who believe that the romance of names like Alvin Langdon Coburn, Steiglitz, Clarence White, and most of the other members of the photo secession of 100 years ago should live on in some form in this new century.

It took me a year or better to locate this lens, and it may take even longer to extract the promise I think I see even in these first few pictures.

Soft focus is an acquired taste to be sure. I'm not asking for critique as I'd get a lot of people telling me their eyes were watering etc. But if you DO like soft focus, I hope you'll enjoy going with me on this journey. The first 6 photos are here:

http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/Pi...II/PS15SA.html

Of the bunch I'm pretty happy with the 5th, the tribute to Mary Colter. It's a keeper.

[Daniel_Buck]

Nice, congrats on the lens! :-) I think I like it better at f11 than at f6! at least, in the comparisons you've shown so far.

[dsphotog]

What size camera ?
I'm amazed at the dramatic change in image, just stopping down a little.
I'd bet you can't wait to try it on some portraits.
Happy shooting!
David Silva

[Andrey Donchev]

It is definitely in the right hands!

[eddie]

NICE! i too prefer the f11....it still has great softness at f11, i just think it would work better for the portraits i do.

thanks

eddie

ps. can we see the lens?

[Allen in Montreal]

Jim, you must be having a blast!

I would love to see how it handles an old weathered face, while others have shown an early preference for F 11, I think subject matter will dictate.
I prefer wide open on the first frame of "5 apples".

[russyoung]

For your consideration, a natural light portrait made with a 12 inch Pinkham & Smith Semi-Achromatic on 5x7 TMAX-100. The white cloth against black cloth in the background is a part of my standard testing system for soft focus lenses to discern the degree of 'glow' of the highlight.

It may be worthwhile to note that the intended use ('design criterion') for these lenses was for portraits at probably 6-12 foot distances.

Russ

[Jim Galli]

Thanks all. David, so far it's mounted in my adjustable 'clamp' on the big Century 10a camera but it is certainly compact enough to go out and about. I haven't found a flange for it yet so that is a problem. I'll likely make a special board for the Eastman 2D 8X10.





Thanks Russ! I can't wait to get there. I'm trying to proceed with some caution. The best (only?) way for me to learn is take pictures and throw film in the trash so I plan to do static things until I'm comfortable with what I'm seeing vss what I'm getting. Do you just adjust to best visual focus, or do you compensate for chemical? I've got much to learn.

[Jim Graves]

Now this is fun. I like the apples and cups wide open and the others at f-11 ... looking forward to more.

[Brian Bullen]

Jim, thank you for the comparisons they're always fun to see. I like the wide open pics the best. The f11 shots seem a little to typical of what you'd expect from the front element of any old petzval and the contrast seems markedly increased over the f6 photos as well.
I'm looking forward to seeing some portraits.