Playing with Meniscus Lenses

[Jim Galli]

There are multiples of personalities possible in the achromatic meniscus doublet. Some are nearly sharp, some are soft and lovely. I dug this one out of the trash at work. It was a damaged front element of a spotting scope.

snappy cars and speedy boats

[Drew Wiley]

I wonder if Struss also scrounged around trash cans?

[Jim Galli]

I wonder if Struss also scrounged around trash cans?

I don't think Struss did, but I do think Pinkham probably did. Struss approached it with a design all his own. Single glass. Where most of these are achromatic doublets.

Here's one done with the little lenses I make up and sell to folks who want to get their feet wet with an antique lens in modern shutter.

coke glass wheat grass

Have one of these ready to go that no one's jumped on.

[Andrew O'Neill]

I've got a Wollaston for my 14x17 that I hope to be playing around with more in the New Year...

[AtlantaTerry]

... it was too windy...

This shot was done at about 1/25 sec...

The background of the canyon behind the tree is rendered nicely with the buttery smoothness that I expected, however, the foreground bush on the left side appears lumpy and rather odd looking.

I wonder if the bush was "odd looking" because the wind was blowing it around and at 1/25th it is blurry whereas the more solid background was not affected by the wind.

[Jim Cole]

I wonder if the bush was "odd looking" because the wind was blowing it around and at 1/25th it is blurry whereas the more solid background was not affected by the wind.

It's a possibility, but I picked a moment to fire the shutter when the wind was relatively calm. It was easier to do at 1/25 sec than at 2 or more seconds. I need some more experience with the lens to see what its characteristics really are.

[Emil Schildt]

Plasticca... just love that glass...

13x18cm film

[jp]

Plasticca... just love that glass...

13x18cm film

That's the first time I've seen dappled light + soft focus + person handled together well since White/Day a hundred years ago! That combination is one of my soft focus goals for next summer (as I have access to similar woods that are nearby to where they worked)

[Emil Schildt]

That's the first time I've seen dappled light + soft focus + person handled together well since White/Day a hundred years ago! That combination is one of my soft focus goals for next summer (as I have access to similar woods that are nearby to where they worked)

thanks - yes, this lens is magic outdoors...

[Jim Cole]

Plasticca... just love that glass...

13x18cm film

Rally nicely done and a fine use of the Plasticca!