Soft-Focus Lens Examples

[Terry276]

I'm finally beginning to get the hang of soft-focus, I think. Shot with my Fuji 250 SF lens, this has a very small DoF but I love the bokeh I get when I shoot close up like this.


white flower 2 par Terry B, on ipernity

[Maris Rusis]

Past Imperfect #3

Gelatin-silver photograph on Ultrafine Silver Eagle VC FB photographic paper, image size 21.3cm X 16.4cm, from a 4x5 Tri-X Pan Professional negative exposed in a Tachihara 45GF double extension field view camera fitted with a 150mm f4 Wollaston Meniscus soft-focus lens and a #25 red filter.

[cowanw]

The original member of my father's family, in Canada was my great great Grandfather, one Robert Cowan, who emmigrated to Canada from Ireland in the later 19th Century.
A business man, Robert had occasion to go to Rochester, from time to time, on the Toronto To Rochester ferry, and found himself doing so in late 1921. Strollin on the east side of Broadway, between third and Zumbro, Robert remembered that he had had a likeness done here in 1878 and decided to go into the Easton's Photo Gallery for another. James and Lucy Easton and the coterie of amateur photographers that used the studio as a meeting place, were in a heated discussion about a rash of stolen lenses.
For those who follow current photographic events in Abel's Photographic Weekly you will recall that about Christmas time, Jan 11,1911, a Celor No. 6 lens, No. 225960, without flange was stolen from the studio of F. Goldensky of 1705 Chestnut St. Boston.
On July 3, 1915, a Cooke portrait lens Ser. 6 No. 39750 No. 35. lens was stolen in case along with a purple plush background with racks from B. Blaxzing 1230 16th St. Denver, Colo.
Other lenses were stolen from William Hudlett, of 3061 West 25th street, Cleveland, Ohio, on July 4th.
A Wollensak Vitax Portrait lens number 3776 was stolen from the Riverside Studio, 795 Oakland Ave., Milwaukee, Wis., on the night of January 15th.1917. This lens was taken with lens board and Packard shutter, en- tire. In addition a Turner-Reich anastig- mat No. 2, with shutter, was taken from the enlarging camera.
An I-C 5x8 Tessar Lens No. 27773819. Stolen the afternoon of January the 21 st. 1919, from The Photo Shop, Madrid.
More Stolen Lenses ON Saturday night, May twenty-first,1920, from the studio of Wm. J. Lenny, Rockford, Ill- who was burglarized and a number of lenses stolen. Watch out for any of these, if lenses are offered to you: Wollensak Verito 8x10, No. 5935. …
AND FINALLY
Nov 19 1921
At last we have a case of a lens thief being caught, The studio of A. Schutz 613 Fourteenth St. N. Washington D.C. was jimmied and a considerable amount of lenses were taken. The following day a Charles Moore of Gary, Indiana was arrested in possession of several of the lenses. Moore travels under the names of Mays and McGuire. Mr. Shultz will be glad to hear from any photographers who have had lenses stolen in the last few years, particularly if finger prints were found. Mr. Shultz had five lenses stolen in Feb., 1920.
This last theft was the item of interest to the Rochester crew. It seems that the thief, Charles Moore was at first thought to be a child as he was very slight of build with long arms and legs and was almost hairless with a large head and large eyes. He was thought to be ill as well as he had a sallow green tinge to his skin.
James Easton noted that the story reminded him of the last time Robert had visited in 1878, and that the strange lens that day had gone missing the very next day, with a note in its place "this aint for you---It was signed Floyd.

This was that day's likeness done on a 16.5 inch Versar

[cowanw]

It was in 1878 that my Great Great Grandfather, Robert Cowan traveled to Rochester and found himself going into the Easton Photo studio, on the east side of Broadway between third and Zumbro, to have a likeness done.
The studio was run by James H Easton, a mulatto shoemaker by trade and his wife Lucy J.B. Easton, a daguerreotypist by trade, with their, then 19 year old, son Hamlet.
The studio was something of a hangout for amateur photographers of the area and they were excitedly discussing the robery of the studio the night before. a Petzval and two Rapid Rectalinears were taken; one of the later being the extra fast model for children's portrats.
Strangely in their place another lens was left a 14 inch Kodak Commercial Ektar.
It was a very strange squat small lens but did prove to be 14 inches when mounted.
There was much discussion of what Kodak Ektar meant; the commercial label was easily explained.
One Georgie Eastman opined, with his classical education that it was obvious that the KOD was a derivation of Cauda or end or tail in Latin. the Dak was Greek for Dactulos or fingers.
the Ek was also from the Latin for Over or beyond and the Tar referred to a boundary.
Therefor, Georgie said, Kodak Ektar must refer to the fact that the lens performed beyond the boundaries of ordinary lenses and the benefits were at your finger tips (at the ends of your fingers).
Georgie Eastman was one smart cookie.

So it was that Robert had a likeness done in 1878 by a 14 inch Kodak Commercial Ektar.



As was previously mentioned, the lens dissapeared the next day with the mysterious note left behind.
It is also recorded that Lucy was a self styled spiritualist physician and clairvoyent healer. She allegedly used her clairvoyent powers to predict the results of horse races to her son, so that he could make winning bets. She always said "Floyd felt bad taking our lenses, but he worked for a man named James, who would let them out of the Lock up if they did what he wanted. To make up, Floyd often told her (in her dreams) who would win at the races."

[Tin Can]

How did this get into the computer?

Nobody is complaining about strange art?

In 2016 we have perfected our visions.

[D. Bryant]

Strangely in their place another lens was left a 14 inch Kodak Commercial Ektar.


So it was that Robert had a likeness done in 1878 by a 14 inch Kodak Commercial Ektar.

Are you pulling our legs with this post? Kodak Commercial Ektars were not introduced until the 1930s.

[SergeiR]

Not to mention it is hardly a soft focus

[Andrew O'Neill]

Very cool image, Maris.

[tonyowen]

go to Rochester, from time to time, on the Toronto To Rochester

Are you sure about this? The majority of 19th & early 20th century cross-Lake-Ontario ferries operated to the west of Toronto (Niagara on the Lake) or to the east of Toronto (Port Hope or Cobourg). To start from (or return to) Toronto required an extra non-lake-crossing journey by ferry or train etc.
Incidentally a direct high speed catamaran Toronto-Rochester ferry was started in 2004 and failed in 2006.

Of course none of this is relevant to the direct subject of this forum, but is of interest to me as I lived in the great free wheeling Torono (sic) in the 1970s
regards
Tony

[Maris Rusis]

Thanks Andrew O'Neill. Here's another softie:

Sunny Couch, Soft Focus Portrait

Gelatin-silver photograph on Ilford VC FB photographic paper, image size 19.6cm X24.4cm, from a 8x10 Fomapan 200 negative exposed in a Tachihara 810HD triple extension field view camera fitted with a Wollaston Meniscus 450mm f9 lens. Signed, stamped, and annotated verso.