Don Dudenbostel
17-Mar-2009, 18:28
Well I finally got around to scanning a couple of negs shot with the Ilex Photoplastic extreme soft 10-1/2 inch f4.5. I've found very little info on this lens and have only seen one other for sale but it was attached to an 8x10 with no information as to the configuration of the lens. I understand the lens came with three options, the extreme, soft and normal back element set. My lens has the extreme soft back group and it is exactly what it says, extremely soft. As a matter of fact it's still soft at f11 but does get some sharper as it's stopped down from f4.5. My particular lens is in a Ilex #5 ?? but will accept a larger lens then my Ilex 5 on my Kodak 10" WF Ektar. It's actually the largest opening shutter I've seen. I had the shutter CLA and it works very well from 1/2 to 1/20 and is off on the higher speeds.
One interesting thing you'll see is the swirls it makes somewhat like a Petzval.
Both images are at f4.5 . It also makes beautiful portraits under contrasty studio light.
One interesting thing you'll see is the swirls it makes somewhat like a Petzval.
Both images are at f4.5 . It also makes beautiful portraits under contrasty studio light.