How do I achieve Minolta Autocord image quality with a view camera?

[David A. Goldfarb]

James, I understand what Jeffrey is after. I don't think he's saying that the Autocord produces a "higher quality" image exactly, but that the lens on the Autocord has a certain aesthetic effect, and he's interested in a lens that will produce the same aesthetic effect with a larger neg and the controls of a view camera. I feel the same way about certain lens types, and I seek them out for all the formats I use, and I'm willing to adapt lenses to do it.

[David A. Goldfarb]

I meant to say: "I think I understand what Jeffrey is after" in that first sentence. Didn't mean to come off so harshly.

[Jeffrey Goggin]

Bingo ... David has hit the nail on the head!

[Jim Galli]

Jeffrey, I've read through this thread more than once, fascinated, and in fact bought a Voightlander 21cm Heliar for use with the 5X7. Just finished looking at the first fruits from that lens and think perhaps there is an intangible "something" to it! I'd love to hear an update from you. What has turned up after 5 months. Thanks, and best regards. Jim Galli

[Jeffrey Goggin]

Except for selling all but one of my lenses -- I kept the 100mm/f5.6 Sironar-N so I had something to use on my camera -- nothing much has happened since my post. Most of my free time has been spent sorting out my portfolio and making prints since I have lucked my way into a local gallery and am trying to get serious about selling my work. I have been shooting quite a bit with my view camera recently, though, and while I still prefer the aesthetic quality of my Autocords lens, sometimes there's just no way to get around using movements! If and when I have anything new to report back on this subject, I will...

[Adez]

Hi everyone!
I would try to dubliicate Jeffrey observation about "3D photography". Pleas tell me what type of Autocord you have ?
It seems there a many models ; Autocord LMX, Autocord RG, Autocord CDS ......
I would like to buy one and experiment with it.
Now I have Nikon FM2 (nikkor 1/1.2), Nikon D200 and Olympus 2100, from this - the film FM2 give some light idea about 3D, the digitals are completely flat.
Few years ago I had a Mamiya RB67, and in those days I thought - the larger film format you have, the most 3D impression you have.
Now, from Jeffrey experience, I see, this is not the case.
If you have a Mamiya RB67 pleas compare with it, and ............ maybe I will buy again a RB67 tank :-)

[Ian Greenhalgh]

Actually, I think the larger the film format, the more 3D is pretty much true. There are many factors though, lens, lighting, distance of subject from background...

If you want a TLR, look for an Ikoflex with the Opton Tessar, those area real bargain, I prefer them to Rolleis.

[Jan Pedersen]

Hi everyone!
I would try to dubliicate Jeffrey observation about "3D photography". Pleas tell me what type of Autocord you have ?
It seems there a many models ; Autocord LMX, Autocord RG, Autocord CDS ......
I would like to buy one and experiment with it.
Now I have Nikon FM2 (nikkor 1/1.2), Nikon D200 and Olympus 2100, from this - the film FM2 give some light idea about 3D, the digitals are completely flat.
Few years ago I had a Mamiya RB67, and in those days I thought - the larger film format you have, the most 3D impression you have.
Now, from Jeffrey experience, I see, this is not the case.
If you have a Mamiya RB67 pleas compare with it, and ............ maybe I will buy again a RB67 tank :-)

I don't think the OP is on this forum any longer, the last post before yours was almost 12 years ago.

[Adez]

The photographer mission is to put in 2D the 3D so Jeffrey discovery must be taken serious .
Already I bought a Minolta Autocord from Ebay and I'm impatient to receive it and try it in order to verify Jeffrey statement.

After searching the internet I found that Minolta specialists was conscious about this particular effect and they was trying to perfect this.
It seems it is a particular bokeh similar to human eyes. (bokeh = blur in japanese language)
I hope as soon as possible to show you some prints with Autocord.

Hi Jan - great work, medium format and large format rules :-)

[Ian Greenhalgh]

You'll be disappointed, 3D is far, far more complex an issue than just the bokeh. Lighting, subject-background distance, lens design, coating, there are a lot of factors.