Focusing Soft Focus Lenses

[eddie]

Holy Moly Ken. I hope you didn't give it back! That's gorgeous.

I'm afraid I did

That lens has the MoJo big-time.

I think he may have worn it out!

Seriously though, Great images ken

[uphereinmytree]

I have limited experience, but am finding that my imagon 12" on 8x10 has a very sharp center that moves around with front tilts and swings and makes it hard to use movements as one might with a sharp anastigmat. Left swing moves the sharpest part to the right on the ground glass but doesnt really bring other areas into equally sharp focus as I expect. Keep in mind these are outdoor scenes and not portraits. Am I just blind or should I expect different physics with a meniscus doublet compared to a new anastigmat?

[jp498]

Soft focus lenses generally aren't for wide angle use. You're probably seeing the plane of focus getting curved as it goes outside it's "coverage". Learn to use that feature or use smaller film with that lens.

[Mark Sawyer]

I have limited experience, but am finding that my imagon 12" on 8x10 has a very sharp center that moves around with front tilts and swings and makes it hard to use movements as one might with a sharp anastigmat. Left swing moves the sharpest part to the right on the ground glass but doesnt really bring other areas into equally sharp focus as I expect. Keep in mind these are outdoor scenes and not portraits. Am I just blind or should I expect different physics with a meniscus doublet compared to a new anastigmat?

The 12 inch Imagon "illuminates" 8x10, but it was made and recommended for 5x7. There might be times when you want to move that center spot of best focus off center a slight amount, but other than that, I'd recommend using rear swings and tilts for adjusting the plane of focus.