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Thread: I Just Now "Fully" Realized That I Do NOT Like...

  1. #1

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    I Just Now "Fully" Realized That I Do NOT Like...

    ... soft focus and "swirly" lenses. I've nothing against them but I do NOT like them.

    I've been seeking nice... dare I say "bokeh"? Nahh... I'll say pretty (smooth) out-of-focus areas... and I've learned that bokeh and "sharpest" lens design are, more often than not, mutually exclusive. That doesn't mean I'll give up pretty out-of-focus areas for sharpness and I think there is SURELY A MIDDLE GROUND to be had. For instance, really well made so-called "soft-focus" lenses such as the Kodak Portrait lenses, Rodenstock Imagons, Fujinon-SF, etc. Those are intentionally designed with chromatic aberrations but, when stopped down, are pretty darned sharp... but still retain very nice out-of-focus quality... "IF" the aperture is very round.

    Arguments listened to...

  2. #2

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    Re: I Just Now "Fully" Realized That I Do NOT Like...

    Quote Originally Posted by Old-N-Feeble View Post
    ... soft focus and "swirly" lenses. I've nothing against them but I do NOT like them.

    I've been seeking nice... dare I say "bokeh"? Nahh... I'll say pretty (smooth) out-of-focus areas... and I've learned that bokeh and "sharpest" lens design are, more often than not, mutually exclusive. That doesn't mean I'll give up pretty out-of-focus areas for sharpness and I think there is SURELY A MIDDLE GROUND to be had. For instance, really well made so-called "soft-focus" lenses such as the Kodak Portrait lenses, Rodenstock Imagons, Fujinon-SF, etc. Those are intentionally designed with chromatic aberrations but, when stopped down, are pretty darned sharp... but still retain very nice out-of-focus quality... "IF" the aperture is very round.

    Arguments listened to...
    Why would anyone want to argue with what YOUR preference is? So get a medium sharp lens like a Heliar or Tessar and be happy.

  3. #3

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    Re: I Just Now "Fully" Realized That I Do NOT Like...

    Tessars are really nice but I like center-to-corner sharpness. I'm interested in landscape lenses, not portrait.

    And... as originally stated... all arguments are welcome. I'm about to stop posting tonight as I'm recognizing how tired I am and don't want to post stupidly. I'll just "listen".

  4. #4

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    Re: I Just Now "Fully" Realized That I Do NOT Like...

    It is always good to know what you like, and what you don't like... Isn't it.

  5. #5

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    Re: I Just Now "Fully" Realized That I Do NOT Like...

    P.s. The smoothest lens I own and enjoy using is a Kodak Commercial Ektar.

  6. #6
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    Re: I Just Now "Fully" Realized That I Do NOT Like...

    To hell with the lenses -- let the images sing to you and for you.

  7. #7

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    Re: I Just Now "Fully" Realized That I Do NOT Like...

    I'm open to all opinions... and I'm listening. Per my original post... I'm not judging... not at all. I just "personally" don't like soft-focus swirly lenses. Please don't be offended. I'm just searching for photographic "nirvana".

  8. #8

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    Re: I Just Now "Fully" Realized That I Do NOT Like...

    Quote Originally Posted by BrianShaw View Post
    P.s. The smoothest lens I own and enjoy using is a Kodak Commercial Ektar.
    I believe that. Kodak was/is damned good... from all I've read.

  9. #9
    Foamer
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    Re: I Just Now "Fully" Realized That I Do NOT Like...

    A Heliar is very special, and might be what you're after. Sharper than the usual soft lenses, slightly less sharp than Tessars/Velostigmat (but in a pleasant way.)



    Kent in SD
    In contento ed allegria
    Notte e di vogliam passar!

  10. #10

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    Re: I Just Now "Fully" Realized That I Do NOT Like...

    Is there such a thing as razor sharp with pretty bokeh?

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