December 2010 Portraits

[Mark Sawyer]

I'm looking forward to seeing the prints, Garrett! Looks like you developed and printed the negatives nicely! (It kinda covers for that crappy photographer who didn't know what he was doing...)

Veeeery nice. I suppose there's some shift here to get both in focus?

I see the Kodak Portrait going up (even more) on eBay in a near future

Yup, I always have the shift going on shallow depth-of-field portraits, especially if there are two people to worry about. Just part of the fun.

But the joke's on the people who spend a fortune on those rare old lenses. I've used a bunch, and it turns out they're all exactly the same.

[goamules]

I was so impressed with your lens, Mark, I went to Cameraeccentric and read up on it. There are some pretty extensive focus techniques listed in the manual. Whatever you use, it worked great on this shot.

[Frank Petronio]

Wonder what's underneath?

[Mark Sawyer]

I was so impressed with your lens, Mark, I went to Cameraeccentric and read up on it. There are some pretty extensive focus techniques listed in the manual. Whatever you use, it worked great on this shot.

Yeah, they really went to town on that explanation. They could have just said, "hey, the spherical aberration is over-corrected, so the depth-of-field spreads to the far side..."

Thing is, that depth-of-field spread is pretty subtle on anything other than a strong highlight, so I ignore all that and put the primary focus where it should be. (I think that's why Kodak goes on and on about the catchlight in the eyes being in focus, but I always look for the eyelashes to be in focus.) Anyways since the lens has no chromatic aberration, what you see is what you get for focus anyways, so you can let your eyes decide.

But yeah, it's a pretty cool lens however soft you set the aperture. And always so tempting to over-do it!

[ajsikel]

as usually, 127 ektar and Technika IV on ERA 100.
the 2010 is heading towards its end...

[Scott --]

Testing a new-to-me Petzval today, I made a discovery: Maddie giggles incessantly when you tell her to sit still...


0112 by Scott --, on Flickr

Solution? Tell her to stare pensively out the window.


0111 by Scott --, on Flickr

5-1/2" f/3.4 Magic Lantern Petzval, Arista.EDU Ultra 100 in HC-110 dil H, yada yada

[goamules]

"Have a Wirly, Swirly Christmas, it's the best time of the year"...(sung to the tune of Holly Jolly)
Christmas Eve - 5x7 Tri-X with 6" Clement & Gilmer Petzval, 1 sec.

[cr2512]

8x10, Fujinon S 300/5.6, Fomapan 100, Pyrocat HD 1+1+100 10,5m 24C cont.rotation ±80 rpm

[Jim Cole]

Very nice Roman. I wish I had the aptitude (and models) for such lovely portraiture.

[bsimison]

Thank you. I had no idea that a 105mm Solinar would cover 4x5. Nice photo too.

Thanks Jim and David.

Yes, the 10.5cm Solinar will cover 4x5, but only just -- it lights up the corners, but there's significant soft falloff from the sweet spot in the center. It's definitely a special-purpose lens, and you certainly can't argue with the price.

-Brett