Lens information source?

[stradibarrius]

Is there a book, PDF or some other source for the characteristics of different lens. For example if you were looking about soft focus lens, is there a place that list common examples and their characteristics?

[BrianShaw]

Here's a free option; there have been books published on the topic also.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_photographic_lens_design

and

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps%20basics%20lens%20design.html

[jp]

For soft focus, it's mostly subjective. There are testable characteristics but that doesn't translate into magic. Russ young's thesis covers some soft focus lenses.
"A Lens Collector's Vade Mecum" has some basics like mfg dates, serial numbers, basic formulas, etc.. but nothing representative. If you want examples, here, flickr, and historical books are pretty much the options.
http://antiquecameras.net/home.html has collector documentation
Camera Eccentric has old catalogs.

[BrianShaw]

Specifically for soft focus, check this interesting paper:

http://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/handle/10023/505

[stradibarrius]

Thanks!