Soft focus lens suggestions requested
I would like to dip my toes into the world of soft focus imagery.
It would be for portrait & landscape use.
I shoot 4x5 & 5x7 formats.
Nothing too extreme just nice highlight bleeding if that is the term & a softer smoother feel to the imagery.
There are so many variables - it's hard to pin down where to start exploring.
Was thinking imagon or fuji soft focus or verito or Velostigmat (without the soft focus dial) or some other suggestions...
I like the 210 focal lens - but a slightly longer lens would be fine..9 inch / 9 1/2 in?
Thanks in advance!
Re: Soft focus lens suggestions requested
How about a Wollanston meniscus with a Packard as a good start? https://www.re-inventedphotoequip.com/Home.html
Otherwise, I like Imagons without the sink strainer aperture. It's easy to make your own aperture, or use the one in a shutter. Or a Verito.
I'm a big fan of Fujinon lenses, but I don't like their soft focus lenses, as they don't have enough character.
Re: Soft focus lens suggestions requested
I like my Imagon 250mm for 4x5 and 300mm for 5x7. Imagon lenses produce nice soft focus images.
Re: Soft focus lens suggestions requested
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Serge S
Was thinking imagon or fuji soft focus or verito or Velostigmat (without the soft focus dial) or some other suggestions...
The Imagon and Verito are both fine choices. Like Peter, I prefer using the conventional aperture in the shutter over the h/stop disks. The Velostigmat Series II without the diffusion is not soft focus, but does have the beautiful rendering of a Tessar. I've been unimpressed by the Fujinon soft lenses, though they do have the advantage of a modern shutter.
Re: Soft focus lens suggestions requested
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mark Sawyer
The Imagon and Verito are both fine choices. Like Peter, I prefer using the conventional aperture in the shutter over the h/stop disks. The Velostigmat Series II without the diffusion is not soft focus, but does have the beautiful rendering of a Tessar. I've been unimpressed by the Fujinon soft lenses, though they do have the advantage of a modern shutter.
Later Imagons came in modern Copal shutters as well as Prontor Professional and Compur shutters.
Re: Soft focus lens suggestions requested
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Peter De Smidt
I don't know why but that link does not work for me.
Here's a different one on DIY Wollaston & Verito lenses:
http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/softfocus.htm
You might also be interested in:
https://research-repository.st-andre...=6&isAllowed=y
Re: Soft focus lens suggestions requested
Wollensak made a 9 1/2" (241mm) f4.5 Velostigmat...with and without the soft-focus Fuzzulator. It was intended for Whole Plate (6 1/2" x 8 1/2"), so it should fit your needs. They would fit in an Alphax or Betax #4 shutter, which have almost perfectly round apertures. We also have an expert Alphax / Betax repair person here who can assist you with a shutter CLA, as necessary.
Re: Soft focus lens suggestions requested
Have you seen Emil’s examples of different portrait lenses yet?
Maybe you can find your preference and choose a flavor….
https://www.largeformatphotography.i...rsonality-quot
And here.
http://wideopen1.squarespace.com
Re: Soft focus lens suggestions requested
Re: Soft focus lens suggestions requested
That one works -- thanks.