Lenses and their "personality"..

[Emil Schildt]

I have made some quick images of some of my lenses, and then added an image made by that lens...

I know many here know a lot more than me about this stuff, but I also think it might be of some use or inspiration for those not familiar with exotic names...

[Emil Schildt]

more

[Emil Schildt]

and...

[Emil Schildt]

and more

[Emil Schildt]

and last

[Old-N-Feeble]

Whaaaaatt... no Imagon??

[F64]

Great! It is usually very difficult to find out what you show so effectively.

[Emil Schildt]

Whaaaaatt... no Imagon??

no... (not yet) and there's a lot "missing"..

[John Jarosz]

very nice. something to keep as a reference

thank you

[Alan Gales]

Why did you do this, Emil? You are making me want all of them and I don't have the money! :cool:

Well not the swirly ones but I like the rest.

[Mark Sawyer]

I know many here know a lot more than me about this stuff...

...which is not nearly as important as knowing how to use them well. I see they're in good hands! And thank you for the inspiration!

[Alan Gales]

...which is not nearly as important as knowing how to use them well. I see they're in good hands! And thank you for the inspiration!

+1

[goamules]

Cool! But I feel some of your personality coming though too, which is of one of the world's best portrait photographers of beautiful women!

[Mark Barendt]

more

I do like that Ilex Paragon

[richardman]

I don't know many old lens, but I do have a couple old Cooke, and somehow I picked the Cooke lens image correctly. Must be that brass rim :-)

[Bill_1856]

Nice job -- well done. Thanks.

[Emil Schildt]

Cool! But I feel some of your personality coming though too, which is of one of the world's best portrait photographers of beautiful women!

Thank you very much, even though I don't think your'e right...

[plaubel]

Thank you ,Emil,

this is a great idea and a fantastic help for finding the "right" lens !

And you are showing, that not only the lens makes the fine photograph..

Ritchie

[Emil Schildt]

Thank you ,Emil,

this is a great idea and a fantastic help for finding the "right" lens !

And you are showing, that not only the lens makes the fine photograph..

Ritchie

Thank you, but at the end of the day: even though these lenses are so cool, "just" for Collection, they are but a tool - and the challenge is to try to find the right tool for the right motive... (which can also be said for developing techniques..)

[Emil Schildt]

Why did you do this, Emil? You are making me want all of them and I don't have the money! :cool:

Well not the swirly ones but I like the rest.

hehe (dont tell, but I am considering selling out... ;) ) - the "swirley are onely that as I use them wrongly.... Notice the Hermagis - studio image and no swirl.. )

And this is with my huge Jamin Cone - no swirl here either...

[Jac@stafford.net]

Good work Emil. Thank you.
I am still looking for my Bill the Cat dream lens.

142450

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Emil, fine examples by a wonderful photographer. I agree finding the lens that expresses the character and mood of the subject is fun. Having the choices is even better. I have some of the lenses that you show in your examples and some others that I need to get to know better. Thanks for the inspiration. I do love the Hermagis and the Kodak 305 I must say.

[Emil Schildt]

Emil, fine examples by a wonderful photographer. I agree finding the lens that expresses the character and mood of the subject is fun. Having the choices is even better. I have some of the lenses that you show in your examples and some others that I need to get to know better. Thanks for the inspiration. I do love the Hermagis and the Kodak 305 I must say.

yeah - that Hermagis is surprisingly (?) nice - with no swirl images...

[Jim Fitzgerald]

I just need to use mine more. Always loved the look of the Hermagis Eidoscop.

[Emil Schildt]

I just need to use mine more. Always loved the look of the Hermagis Eidoscop.

ooh - so I misunderstood you - these are with the Hermagis Petzval, not the euryscop... (but agree - it need to "get out" more... )

[Jim Fitzgerald]

It is I who misunderstood. Regardless the Hermagis series is wonderful.

[DrTang]

THAT TEARS IT


eidoscope is now on my 'to buy' list

[billie williams]

Emil, thanks for posting these. They are both interesting and inspiring. Each image sings. Its always fun to think that a new lens will make us better. But it's really how we use them. Great post. Thanks again.

[Emil Schildt]

Emil, thanks for posting these. They are both interesting and inspiring. Each image sings. Its always fun to think that a new lens will make us better. But it's really how we use them. Great post. Thanks again.

You're welcome. It's an addictive World..

[Old-N-Feeble]

I'm especially fond of the Kodak Portrait lenses but the prices have soared in the last decade or so... beyond my meager affordability. Imagon lenses were made in many more focal lengths and have a similar rendering (IMO)... IF you avoid use of the sink strainer discs which (IMO) usually destroy the final look. I love the way Imagons render with the strainer discs closed or using nicely rounded shutter apertures instead of the discs.

[Emil Schildt]

Two more - for the Eidoscope and Kodak lovers...

(I don't know which SF lens to be my favourite, but the eidoscope is high on that list... )

[Vaughn]

Wonderful series. I would have thought it difficult to have a favorite, but the portrait with the Landcaster Landscape lens reached out and took my heart...

[Emil Schildt]

Wonderful series. I would have thought it difficult to have a favorite, but the portrait with the Landcaster Landscape lens reached out and took my heart...

exactely - my favorite portrait of my ex...

maybe I can say I have a handfull of faves...

[Jim Fitzgerald]

For those who don't know or may have forgotten the book [I]Professional Portrait Lightings [I]by Charles Abel is a great resource. It shows different portraits the set ups and the different lenses used. Still I prefer Emil's work. Your portraits have always been a favorite of mine along with the way you understand the character of the lens and how it will work with your subject. I really need to get my Graf Variable out and use it after being inspired by all of this. Thanks Emil!

[Alan Gales]

hehe (dont tell, but I am considering selling out... ;) ) - the "swirley are onely that as I use them wrongly.... Notice the Hermagis - studio image and no swirl.. )

And this is with my huge Jamin Cone - no swirl here either...

I know that a lot of people love the look of the swirly Petzvals. I like Petzvals but I'm not a fan of the swirl effect. Most of the time it looks gimmicky to me.

[SergeiR]

I have made some quick images of some of my lenses, and then added an image made by that lens...

I know many here know a lot more than me about this stuff, but I also think it might be of some use or inspiration for those not familiar with exotic names...

thank you very much for doing this.

[Alan Gales]

Thank you very much, even though I don't think your'e right...

I agree with Garrett. Your personality does come through your photography and I usually recognize your images. I told Ken Lee the same about his photographs. There are other photographers on this forum as well that have distinctive styles.

It's what makes your photography unique and it is a very special thing. :)

[Alan Gales]

I'm writing about distinctive styles and look who posts above me, SergeiR. ;)

[Tin Can]

Late to the show. This thread is wonderful and very helpful.

I add my thanks!

[Emil Schildt]

bTW: Others are more than welcome to add examples of their own...

Let the "education" begin"... (even the same lens can make very different look so there's room for a lot of examples)

[SergeiR]

well bugger.. now i want that Cooke that i decided to not buy few months ago.. ;(

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Okay, I'll try. My portrait skills are not as good as Emil or Sergei but I learn so much from them and others here. Now that I have retired I have more time to devote to my love of photography......... that is after I finish building a 14 x 17 I got roped into doing for a friend!

Any how this was shot with my little 1/2 a Hermagis Eidoscop 150mm that I got from Jim Galli in a shutter non the less. Sorry for the dark scan and banding.

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Okay one more shot with my Kodak 305 portrait lens on 8 x 10.

[Ken Lee]

http://www.kenleegallery.com/images/tech/Kershaw3.jpg
9-inch Kershaw Portrait lens on 4x5


http://www.kenleegallery.com/images/tech/Fujinon180d.jpg
180mm Fujinon SFS on 5x7

[Jim C.]

Gandolfi, This is a great thread, i totally agree with you on how lenses have a personality.
Looks like I'll have to start saving for a Verito !

[Ari]

Ok, I'll play:

http://www.aritapiero.com/uploads/5/7/9/8/5798107/4923982_orig.jpg
Cooke XVa on 8x10

http://www.aritapiero.com/uploads/5/7/9/8/5798107/4240788_orig.jpg
12" Commercial Ektar on 8x10

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Here are two images from my 14" Darlot. Love this lens. Also everything I post is a carbon transfer print.

[Jim Fitzgerald]

A couple from the Graf Variable 16-18". I need to use this lens some more.

[brandon13]

Thanks Emil. Great thread.

[Emil Schildt]

A couple from the Graf Variable 16-18". I need to use this lens some more.

Jim - Ken - Ari...

Love your images, but for this thread not just to be a show off images, we need you also to show an image of the lens used.... - that's was the Whole point of the thread... :)

[Ken Lee]

http://www.kennethleegallery.com/images/forum/Kershaw.jpg
9-inch Kershaw portrait lens from Eddie Gunks video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRoLB0UNCuA

http://www.kennethleegallery.com/images/tech/Kershaw5.jpg
9-inch Kershaw portrait lens on 4x5

[Ken Lee]

http://www.kenleegallery.com/images/forum/fujinon-sf.jpg
Fujinon 180mm SF lens

http://www.kenleegallery.com/images/tech/Fujinon180b.jpg
Fujinon 180mm SF on 5x7

[goamules]

Struss Pictorial 9" on 5x7:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6042/6211185141_05f832fec6_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/719/23175452545_b8213eda5c_b.jpg

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Sorry about that. Here is one with the 15" Spencer-Portland.

[Emil Schildt]

oooh - now it is my turn to drool...

Don't have Kershaw (would LOVE to try that) Struss... (no Words) or Spencer Portland.... (yet..)

[Ari]

Jim - Ken - Ari...

Love your images, but for this thread not just to be a show off images, we need you also to show an image of the lens used.... - that's was the Whole point of the thread... :)

Quite right, my mistake for not reading the fine print.

Here's another entry

142556

http://www.aritapiero.com/uploads/5/7/9/8/5798107/3104400_orig.jpg
Cooke XVa on 8x10

and

142557

http://www.aritapiero.com/uploads/5/7/9/8/5798107/1239257_orig.jpg
Kodak Commercial Ektar 12" on 8x10 (I no longer own one)

[Emil Schildt]

Quite right, my mistake for not reading the fine print.

Here's another entry

142556


Cooke XVa on 8x10

and

142557


Kodak Commercial Ektar 12" on 8x10 (I no longer own one)

ooh that cooke...beauty!

[Ari]

ooh that cooke...beauty!

Thank you, sir; it's my "desert-island lens"...almost quite literally, as I only own the Cooke and a 150mm.

[Alan Gales]

Thank you, sir; it's my "desert-island lens"...almost quite literally, as I only own the Cooke and a 150mm.

Yeah, but that Cooke being a triple convertible, it's like owning 4 lenses when you include the 150.

Drool! :)

[IanG]

Emil, that Dallmeyer Landscape lens yields strange artifacts :D Iteresting examples thank you.

Ian

[Ari]

Yeah, but that Cooke being a triple convertible, it's like owning 4 lenses when you include the 150.

Drool! :)

Absolutely, Alan, even though I find myself using the 646mm FL very rarely, maybe twice since I bought the lens.
Drool noted and appreciated!

[Emil Schildt]

Emil, that Dallmeyer Landscape lens yields strange artifacts :D Iteresting examples thank you.

Ian
yes - I use it uncorcked, and I love that lens...

[Emil Schildt]

made a few more... (and a couple with other motive than first..)

[Emil Schildt]

and Again...

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Emil, I must say I do like the way that Dallmeyer looks

[Emil Schildt]

Emil, I must say I do like the way that Dallmeyer looks

I agree - it is beautiful! I want to have a bigger one - they are out there but unfortunately also expensive...

[Ari]

The Cooke, in this post and your first post as well, gets my vote, but I'm biased.
I also like the look of that Hermann very much.

[massimodec]

Very good gallery Emil ! Thank you !


I'm especially fond of the Kodak Portrait lenses but the prices have soared in the last decade or so... beyond my meager affordability. Imagon lenses were made in many more focal lengths and have a similar rendering (IMO)... IF you avoid use of the sink strainer discs which (IMO) usually destroy the final look. I love the way Imagons render with the strainer discs closed or using nicely rounded shutter apertures instead of the discs.

Right! Imagon is similar to Kodak Portrait (I have both), but Imagon disks have a very special function, IMO.
The issue is the kind of light: disks can be very helpful with all their little holes when there is no direct light, nor metal (or jewels) reflections...in that case of course all those little daisies could be ridicolous. But with diffused light, on bright zones, with disks and variable holes, you can manage the glow, that's where the difference comes out.
I like very much the Kodak by the way: more "plastic", it better renders volumes !

[F64]

More, please!

[Steven Tribe]

I agree - it is beautiful! I want to have a bigger one - they are out there but unfortunately also expensive...

When I could still get access to the Dallmeyer archive (do others have similar problems now?), I checked the manufacturing levels of the larger Patent Landscape. Basically because I got hold of a size 5a (same dimensions as 5, but with the 18" efl from size 6) to help me get over the "loss" of a 60cm Plasticca!
These larger ones where not made in very large quantities by Dallmeyer. However, if you take all the other makers of long EFL Landscape lenses into consideration, then availability is considerably improved. I do not, for a second, believe that the real magic that Emil's Dallmeyer Patent Landscape 4 image has, owes more than a couple of % to it being that particular lens. The lens could just as well have been another "uncorked" meniscus lens from Wray, "Optimus", Spencer or Lancaster. The magic comes from Emil's choice of subject and background, lighting and post exposure treatment.

But this is a fun thread and shows what CAN be done with a particular lens.

[Emil Schildt]

But this is a fun thread and shows what CAN be done with a particular lens.

indeed... can..

[Ginette]

indeed... can..

Great topic Emil, continue to post, what a amazing lenses collection too.

[Jim Galli]

Emil, I am late to the party because I knew it might not be wise to open these at work. Had to wait until I was at home.

BRAVO sir! Perhaps I'll share a couple soon.

[PawelR]

I have made some quick images of some of my lenses, and then added an image made by that lens...
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=142417&d=1447882685
I know many here know a lot more than me about this stuff, but I also think it might be of some use or inspiration for those not familiar with exotic names...

I would ask about image size taken by this Dallmeyer Landscape? What aperture do you have for this model? I have seen two types of aperture revolver or waterhouse with many holes, what type of aperture has your lens?

[Steven Tribe]

You can see Emil's landscape (patent) no. 4 in picture 2, post #63.

These are with wheel stops - even the largest sizes.

The top unit with the wheel can be removed quite easily, but there is a restricting aperture remaining.
This is apparently just a pressure fit. The example is from a 5a size.

[PawelR]

I get it, so its possible to make own stop like that:
http://images76.fotosik.pl/164/4a0d11b5777f17f2gen.jpg

[Steven Tribe]

Indeed yes! The imagon disk idea has been applied to quite a few meniscus lenses I have seen under the hammer, including a Plassticca.

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Here is another one shot on 8 x 10 with the Kodak 305 Portrait lens.

[Jim Fitzgerald]

One with the small Eidoscope

[Emil Schildt]

Beautiful Jim!

and I can understand why you like the small eidoscope so much...

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Emil, that is the 1/2 of a 150 that I got from Jim Gali. Love it ! Small and in a shutter.

[Jim Noel]

Thanks for this. It is a great source. Although I can't afford most of them I may do the same with my collection of "nothing" lenses to see what they will do..

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Jim, they are not "nothing" lenses in your capable hands.

[Jim Fitzgerald]

To keep this wonderful thread going I have another interesting lens and image to show. I took a portrait of my youngest son when he was at college. The image is a silver print from long ago and it is an 11 x 14 contact print on Azo I think. I shot this with my Voigtlander 18" Hybrid lens. Now when I bought the lens it only had the rear element. Jim Gali suggested that I look for a +1 diopter for the front. I was able to find a really nice one for not much money and it got the lens down from about 40" FL to 18 or 19". Made a series of waterhouse stops for it and this is another one I need to use more often. It is light and compact.

[Jim Galli]

To keep this wonderful thread going I have another interesting lens and image to show. I took a portrait of my youngest son when he was at college. The image is a silver print from long ago and it is an 11 x 14 contact print on Azo I think. I shot this with my Voigtlander 18" Hybrid lens. Now when I bought the lens it only had the rear element. Jim Gali suggested that I look for a +1 diopter for the front. I was able to find a really nice one for not much money and it got the lens down from about 40" FL to 18 or 19". Made a series of waterhouse stops for it and this is another one I need to use more often. It is light and compact.

I think perhaps that's the first image I've seen made with this lens. Marvelous. Yes, you should use it often!

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Thanks Jim. It was your idea about the +1 diopter some time ago that brought this wonderful lens back to life.

[e]

Great thread! Re-inspired me..! To dust off the old stuff..those..Dallmeyers...

[Jim Fitzgerald]

I really enjoy the Kodak 305 Portrait lens.

[Mark Sawyer]

Beautiful, Jim! :)

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Mark thanks. I managed to put a filter ring on the front of the lens so I can use my 77mm filters if need be.

[Jim Fitzgerald]

I agree - it is beautiful! I want to have a bigger one - they are out there but unfortunately also expensive...

Emil, I have that Dallmeyer coming to me. It is in the mail along with a very nice Ross lens as well. I'm assuming it is not hard to uncork it?

[Emil Schildt]

Emil, I have that Dallmeyer coming to me. It is in the mail along with a very nice Ross lens as well. I'm assuming it is not hard to uncork it?

no - mine was very easy

Congrats..

[Jim Fitzgerald]

This is why this is such a useful post. To find a "look" that a certain lens can give you is important so thanks for the education. Let's keep it coming.

I'll be sure to post my results when I get the lens mounted. But first I need to develop the 20 8 x 10 negatives from our Yosemite trip at Christmas.

[Steven Tribe]

Jim, I assume you are still waiting for your Dallmeyer size 6!

I have done as Emil and removed the fixed restricting aperture on the mail barrel to-day just underneath the removeable wheel stop unit.

It looks difficult, but is as easy as Emil remembered. The baffle is quite sturdily built and made of steel rather than brass.
I used a 2cm round wood rod and hit as near to the barrel as possible using an ordinary hammer. Just move the blows around the circumferance. You can follow movement as the revealed edge is not painted black. Movement is easiest by knocking it outwards.

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Steven, thanks for the advice. I have not gotten the lens yet so maybe tomorrow.

Can't wait to open her up.

[goamules]

I really enjoy the Kodak 305 Portrait lens.

Nice mushroom photo Jim!

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Garret, thank you. Years ago when I was on that trail there were many groupings. The year of that photograph I had to search and search and I got lucky when I found that grouping. The Kodak gave me the look I was after.

[Emil Schildt]

"New" camera tried out.

24x30 cm papernegative - 360 Heliar used

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Emil, very nice. Another lens on my list. I recently picked up a Puyo Trousse but with the move coming I won't be able to use it for a while. Here is a teaser pic. About 14" focal length.

[Emil Schildt]

Emil, very nice. Another lens on my list. I recently picked up a Puyo Trousse but with the move coming I won't be able to use it for a while. Here is a teaser pic. About 14" focal length.

jealoux!

[Steven Tribe]

Jim's Puyo is probably from the same post Darlot batch as mine, which has the name of another Paris speciality photographic boutique. Scale engraving is identical in every feature.This is 40cm model (18x24cm) and it therefore has the standard lenses in barrel. This is, by no means, not always the case!

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Steven, thank you for the information. How does one tell what the standard lenses are? Is it by the focal length?
I'll check when we get home later.

[massimodec]

One with the small Eidoscope

Small Eidoscope ! never met !
Very nice effect indeed !
Not too foggy and still with all plans in sight and perception !
Very nice choice of lights too .

Did you stop a bit or just full open ?

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Small Eidoscope ! never met !
Very nice effect indeed !
Not too foggy and still with all plans in sight and perception !
Very nice choice of lights too .

Did you stop a bit or just full open ?

I'm glad you like the image. The original carbon print is so much better than what is posted. I stopped down about 2/3 of a stop from wide open.

[angusparker]

Any idea of the fl and image circles wide open for the various Eidoscope lenses, I guess #1,2,3,4?

[Jim Fitzgerald]

I know my #1 is a 19" focal length. Covers my 11x14. When I put it on the 14x17 it missed in a big way so I'm thinking 11x14 tops. Hope this helps.

[jaytral]

my Eidoscope #2 is 375mm f4.5 and covers 8x10 at portrait distance

[8x10 user]

The focal length and image circle are almost the same size for this model.


Any idea of the fl and image circles wide open for the various Eidoscope lenses, I guess #1,2,3,4?

[angusparker]

Any idea of the fl and image circles wide open for the various Eidoscope lenses, I guess #1,2,3,4?

I found the page on Antique Camera that suggest the #0 will do 11x14, 1 8x10, 2 5x7 3 4x5. But I read that that #2 will do 8x10 is that right?

[jaytral]

148386

[angusparker]

I know my #1 is a 19" focal length. Covers my 11x14. When I put it on the 14x17 it missed in a big way so I'm thinking 11x14 tops. Hope this helps.

Great. Is that at infinity or portrait distances?

[angusparker]

my Eidoscope #2 is 375mm f4.5 and covers 8x10 at portrait distance

Thanks!

[Emil Schildt]

Two more - had them for years - just started to play with them...

[Steven Tribe]

Thanks Emil, for getting this fantastic thread started again! On my birthday, too!

"Transformation" is a lovely new name for the Hermagis - how about trying the landscape end of the lens alone?

[Emil Schildt]

Thanks Emil, for getting this fantastic thread started again! On my birthday, too!

"Tranformation" is a lovely new name for the Hermagis - how about trying the landscape end of the lens alone?

Transformation.. :)
Happy birthday - I'll try the landscape part later - and today I have found a new "Love": My rare Kronarette seems to be the perfect soft focus portrait lens... didn't know that.. stay tuned

[Jim Fitzgerald]

#1 at infinity. Remember you can use just one half.

[Emil Schildt]

Just re discovered my rare Oscar Simon "Kronarette" lens...
Used it last 10+ years ago and then it was outdoors where the whites exploded..

Now in my studio, and I was quite amazed.. almost sharp in the center, and the outer lines glow so nicely..
A new favorite sf lens I think..

[Tin Can]

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?48272-Kronar-Kronarette

[Emil Schildt]

aah Voigtländer...

[Lethargus]

These are great and put my efforts to do similar with my collection to shame. I just started putting mine together last week at https://grumpyoldman.dev/Lenses/ mostly so I could remember which lens to grab for which effect, so it's only a small subset right now. Now you've got me wanting to hunt down some of your lenses... You've shown me what I can aspire to.

[Steven Tribe]

These are great and put my efforts to do similar with my collection to shame. I just started putting mine together last week at https://grumpyoldman.dev/Lenses/ mostly so I could remember which lens to grab for which effect, so it's only a small subset right now. Now you've got me wanting to hunt down some of your lenses... You've shown me what I can aspire to.

You have a very nice website - with jump from lens to examples.

I note you have a proto Euryscope in your collection which is already in our list of these!


A reasonably priced landscape meniscus would, perhaps, be a useful addition to your battery!

[John Kasaian]

These are great and put my efforts to do similar with my collection to shame. I just started putting mine together last week at https://grumpyoldman.dev/Lenses/ mostly so I could remember which lens to grab for which effect, so it's only a small subset right now. Now you've got me wanting to hunt down some of your lenses... You've shown me what I can aspire to.

What a cool website!

[Lethargus]

What a cool website!


You have a very nice website - with jump from lens to examples.

I note you have a proto Euryscope in your collection which is already in our list of these!


A reasonably priced landscape meniscus would, perhaps, be a useful addition to your battery!

Thanks for the compliments. I do need another good landscape lens. Any recommendations based on the ones in this thread?

[Mark Sawyer]

Thanks for the compliments. I do need another good landscape lens. Any recommendations based on the ones in this thread?

Looks like Imagons are finally starting to come back into their own; grab one before they go up. They even come in shutters up to 360mm. And remember that every Petzval has a landscape lens up front!

[Amedeus]

my Eidoscope #2 is 375mm f4.5 and covers 8x10 at portrait distance

I can confirm that, one of my most used portrait lenses on 8x10 as it fits easily on my Sinar P and Sinar Copal shutter.

Cheers,

[Lethargus]

Looks like Imagons are finally starting to come back into their own; grab one before they go up. They even come in shutters up to 360mm. And remember that every Petzval has a landscape lens up front!

I've got a 250mm and a 120mm Imagon which I love. I had forgotten about flipping Petzvals. Good idea, and I need to try that with my Darlot Cascet next batch I take. I think my Speed Graphic will have just enough bellows range for at infinity, but nothing closer.

[Jim Fitzgerald]

I can confirm that, one of my most used portrait lenses on 8x10 as it fits easily on my Sinar P and Sinar Copal shutter.

Cheers,

Interesting discussion in that I have my Eidoscope #2 listed for sale on here. I love the lens but I have to let it go. It does have a wonderful personality. One of my favorites. I know it covers 8x10 at infinity as well.

[Emil Schildt]

playing a little more

testing my Plasticca and the Dupluich lenses for portrait work

[SParis]

They're not the most "exotic" of the lenses here, but I love portraits with the Kodak Ektars. They say "1940s" to me.
They're sharp, modern lenses, but they seem less harsh than current ones. My only guess is that it's because of the perfectly round aperture, but I'm guessing there.

[Emil Schildt]

They're not the most "exotic" of the lenses here, but I love portraits with the Kodak Ektars. They say "1940s" to me.
They're sharp, modern lenses, but they seem less harsh than current ones. My only guess is that it's because of the perfectly round aperture, but I'm guessing there.

show us

[Emil Schildt]

Most of us know that most of the Heliar lenses are not actually true Heliar design, rather than of Dynar design.
The exception being the Universal Heliar...

So here are two examples with both types, set on sharp..

[Steven Tribe]

Thanks for a bit of inspiration in the middle of January, Emil!

However, the lens engravings and the written text do not match - which is correct?

I don’t think there is any data about when ordinary Heliars became Dynars. It is probably at different serial numbers for the various focal
Lengths.

[Emil Schildt]

well - I messed up - I'll correct it



Thanks for a bit of inspiration in the middle of January, Emil!

However, the lens engravings and the written text do not match - which is correct?

I don’t think there is any data about when ordinary Heliars became Dynars. It is probably at different serial numbers for the various focal
Lengths.

[Emil Schildt]

Now it should be right...

[Tin Can]

Good to see actual comparison

Thank you

[Alan Klein]

Emil Just found this thread. I'm just getting into LF photography and I find your pictures wonderful. It's giving me great ideas for creativity. Where do you start with these old lenses? Where to look for them? Do they work on new 4x5 cameras? Thanks. Alan.

[Dan Fromm]

Alan and Emil, pardon me for jumping in.

Alan, old lenses turn up on ebay.com and ebay.co.uk. If you read French or German respectively, and are willing to risk international transactions you can also look on ebay.fr, leboncoin.fr and ebay.de. Old lenses also show up on this site's classifieds, on photrio.com's classifieds, and on galerie-photo.info's occasions section. Camera shows have pretty much gone away, but look on photrio.com's United States/New Jersey section for announcements re one in north Jersey.

Lenses in shutter can be made to work on nearly all view cameras of all vintages. Using a lens in barrel may take a little creativity, such as putting a Packard shutter behind the camera's front standard or in front of the lens. Some, not all, barrel lenses can be hung in front of modern leaf shutters but the adapters needed to do this aren't cheap so getting the equivalent lens already in shutter is usually more cost effective.

I don't want to lower your hopes, but in my experience nearly all modern lenses (= anastigmats of any vintage) shoot well enough to use. I'm a certified ignorant barbarian insensitive to the fine points; I took the course, passed the exam and have the certificate. I can't reliably tell which lens (or lens type) was used to make the negative, transparency or print in front of me.

Specialty lenses, e.g., soft focus types, and pre-anastigmats are something else again.

[Steven Tribe]

Emil Do they work on new 4x5 cameras? Thanks. Alan.

Yes they do!
If you look through the first “barrage” of images in this thread from Emil you will see that some of the lenses are quite huge. They have obviously been mounted on heavy duty studio cameras and many lenses have large focal lengths requiring bellows extension not available on most 4x5 or 5x7 cameras. You can get an idea of the cameras used from images supplied by Emil which show the lens boards they are mounted on. One of his Heliar lenses shows a board from the rare Voigtlander studio camera from the 1950’s which is actually only a 13x18cm model (photo).

There is shortage of classic short length soft lenses and prices are too much for just a foray into this area. However, landscape meniscus lenses are plentiful, cheap and the right size for smaller large format and Emil uses them too!

Experience, lighting and subject choice are far more important than a specific “soft/pictorial” lens. Apart from Emil’s traditional range of images, he is a master of applying alternative methods to these negatives/prints.

[Leicaf16]

Most of us know that most of the Heliar lenses are not actually true Heliar design, rather than of Dynar design.
The exception being the Universal Heliar...

So here are two examples with both types, set on sharp..

Re: Lenses and their "personality"..
Beautiful examples taken with a nice lens Emil. I was hoping when I became the custodian I would start producing such beautiful works of art, but it seems the magic was in the artist, not his lens I hope you’re well my friend.

[olegkasko]

I have made some quick images of some of my lenses, and then added an image made by that lens...


Hi Emil , could you help me to find out what Dallmeyer is it?

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=142417&d=1447882685

Is it Dallmeyer Rapid Landscape?

https://i.ibb.co/CPhS7gJ/Screenshot-5.jpg

I'm looking for some soft lens with similar "personality"
I don't like round bokeh like Petzval gives, and this your sample of a naked woman among the trees has the "picture" I have been looking for!

Am I right, the lens is about f11 but the photo was taken without aperture? as described here:https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3961637
I'm a little confused how f11 could give such bokeh.

Thanks!

[LabRat]

I'm kinda loving SF lenses used at mid-aperture semi-soft/sharp settings these days... Early century smoothness, without the fuzz... :-)

Steve K

[Alan Klein]

Hi Emil , could you help me to find out what Dallmeyer is it?

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=142417&d=1447882685

Is it Dallmeyer Rapid Landscape?

https://i.ibb.co/CPhS7gJ/Screenshot-5.jpg

I'm looking for some soft lens with similar "personality"
I don't like round bokeh like Petzval gives, and this your sample of a naked woman among the trees has the "picture" I have been looking for!

Am I right, the lens is about f11 but the photo was taken without aperture? as described here:https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3961637
I'm a little confused how f11 could give such bokeh.

Thanks!

If the model comes with the lens, it's a winner.

[Embdude]

Wow this is great thank you!

[Steven Tribe]

Hi Emil , could you help me to find out what Dallmeyer is it?

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=142417&d=1447882685

Is it Dallmeyer Rapid Landscape?

https://i.ibb.co/CPhS7gJ/Screenshot-5.jpg

I'm looking for some soft lens with similar "personality"
I don't like round bokeh like Petzval gives, and this your sample of a naked woman among the trees has the "picture" I have been looking for!

Am I right, the lens is about f11 but the photo was taken without aperture? as described here:https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3961637
I'm a little confused how f11 could give such bokeh.

Thanks!

Emil has been absent for some time, but I think I can answer the question!

Dallmeyer made 2 series of landscape lenses.

- The wide angle landscape lens ( Patent) made in 10 sizes.

- The (“new” around 1892)Rapid Landscape lens. Long focus.

The long focus table you show is this second type. The lens shown by Emil in his lens/image posting is the former type of wide angle. The presence of the “Patent” engraving is the key distinguishing feature - otherwise they are identical in appearance.

Both these series have removable front iris assemblies, which I am sure Emil has done to achieve his nymph in woodland fantasy image!
This is not something that is an effect limited to Dallmeyer landscape lenses! There are lots of UK makers of landscape lenses at this time and the front achromat of all Petzvals can be used in the same way.
I enclose the table for the “Patent” landscape lens and my split 5a “Patent” lens.

[olegkasko]

Emil has been absent for some time, but I think I can answer the question!


Thanks Steven ! You cleared it up a bit for me.
I'm new to Soft Lenses and I'm just looking for some lens. When I saw Emil's picture I fell in love with this effect of that Wide Angle Landscape with removed iris! :o



This is not something that is an effect limited to Dallmeyer landscape lenses! There are lots of UK makers of landscape lenses at this time and the front achromat of all Petzvals can be used in the same way.

Thanks!
I see a lot of Dallmeyer Rapid Rectilinear lenses on Ebay, but can't find any Landscape, neither Wide Angle Landscape nor Rapid Landscape.
With what you said I have hope to get what I want

I've found a thread of that topic: https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?130064-Lantern-Petzval-question

Now I will look for a Petzval where I could remove the rear element to get "a landscape meniscus type lens"

[John Layton]

Gee whiz...the auto-modesty function - way back then? Cool beans!:rolleyes:

[Steven Tribe]

I think the modesty bars have been added since the original posting.

[John Layton]

...was thinking it was a feature of that lens!