Is there such a thing as soft focus enlarging lenses. Could I create a sharp negative then in the darkroom add the soft focus qualities to it?
thanks,
dave
Is there such a thing as soft focus enlarging lenses. Could I create a sharp negative then in the darkroom add the soft focus qualities to it?
thanks,
dave
You can use the same techniques as you do on the taking lens. The flares you'd get in the hightlights now flare the deep shadows. It's quite interesting and unique.
Mark Woods
Large Format B&W
Cinematography Mentor at the American Film Institute
Past President of the Pasadena Society of Artists
Director of Photography
Pasadena, CA
www.markwoods.com
huh, sounds cool. I'll
soften up a poor enlarging lens with Vaseline and give this a try.
thanks mark -
My YouTube Channel has many interesting videos on Soft Focus Lenses and Wood Cameras. Check it out.
My YouTube videos
oldstyleportraits.com
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Voigtländer made the WZ objective just for this pupose.
WZ stands for Weichzeichner. Softness was adjusted using the iris.
Only one size 18cm.
Unfortunately this is very pricey item these days as it has been used as a taking lens.
It is a double symmetrical meniscus, unless I have misunderstood Voigtländer's cross sectional diagram. Sold between 1926 and 1934. Negative size was about 4x5-
Search ebay for Pictorial Control Variable Soft Focus Lens Attachment.
An inexpensive way to experiment in the darkroom.
I still have a set of Verito stops FS if anyone is interested. Here's the original ad: Verito enlarging stops
And a pic:
Instead of Vaseline use KY Jelly (non scented/flavored). It's optically clear, water soluble for easy clean up, while the Vaseline cleans up with alcohol and isn't optically clear.
Mark Woods
Large Format B&W
Cinematography Mentor at the American Film Institute
Past President of the Pasadena Society of Artists
Director of Photography
Pasadena, CA
www.markwoods.com
you can get these "pictorial control" thingies from ebay cheap:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pictorial-Contro...#ht_891wt_1185
Easy to use, and you have some control.... i have one, but only used it ones. If off-course is also usable in the end of a taking lens.
Kodak made a wonderful soft filter for enlarging. It is molded with several crossing lings in the glass. It also happens to fit perfectly into the red filter accessory gizmo for the Omega D series enlargers so you can use it to swing into and out of the light path at will.
"One of the greatest necessities in America is to discover creative solitude." Carl Sandburg
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