Help getting started with an Imagon 300

[John Brady]

I have an Imagon 300 in a copal 3, with the 7.7-9.5 and 9.5-11.5 disks. I am looking for some advice on using this lens in a low lit, swamp setting to photograph Orchids with my 8x10 and t-max 100. I have read what I can find from older posts but still have a couple of questions.

I am looking to create a soft focus effect but still capture the beauty of the orchid, would you advise photographing wide open without the disks, if so, what is the aperture, 6.8? Or is it advisable to use the disks, if so, which one and open or closed? I will only be using dim natural light, I think I have read the disks worked best with bright studio light. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[Bob Salomon]

Wide open it is the closest to what is engraved on the lens. But what focal length is marked on your 2mdisks?

Without a very strong spectral you will not get the halo effect of the Imagon. It does not like flat lighting.

[Mark Woods]

I have to respectfully disagree with Bob. I have the 300 Imagon & a 200 Imagon and have made photographs in flat light. I think what Bob was referring to is not the light so much as the contrast of the image. "Blooming," or the halo effect, will come into play in higher contrast situations. I love the look of the lenses and I use them without the disks -- wide open. Enjoy the journey with them!

[Bob Salomon]

I have to respectfully disagree with Bob. I have the 300 Imagon & a 200 Imagon and have made photographs in flat light. I think what Bob was referring to is not the light so much as the contrast of the image. "Blooming," or the halo effect, will come into play in higher contrast situations. I love the look of the lenses and I use them without the disks -- wide open. Enjoy the journey with them!

Mark, I specifically stated the halo effect.

[Peter De Smidt]

Imagon 300mm

No Disk:


Largest hole disk, peripheral holes closed:


Middle disk, peripheral holes closed:


Small disk, peripheral holes closed:

[Peter De Smidt]

Imagon 300mm

Homemade 47mm circular aperture:


Homemade 57mm circular aperture:

[Tin Can]

Peter, re your series.

Did you notice and correct for much focus shift?

[John Brady]

One of the many reasons I love being part of this community! Thank you Bob, Mark and Peter!
Peter, thank you for sharing a very clear difference between the setups! Based on that, I almost think I like the look of the 7.7 disk closed. I will have to experiment!

Bob, I have two disks, 7.7-9.5 and 9.5-11.5. My lens has 6.8 on it so I assume thats what I would meter for wide open?

[Peter De Smidt]

Peter, re your series.

Did you notice and correct for much focus shift?

I focused, as best I could!, at the taking apertures. Focusing these lenses is an art, one that I haven't mastered.

[Peter De Smidt]

Here's with the middle disk with the peripheral holes open:


I don't like what this does to background and foreground specular highlights.