7 Antique Soft Focus Portrait Lenses Compared

[Jim Galli]

You know the drill...

Some pretty exotic lenses on this one.

Pinkham & Smith Series VI Synthetic 10"
Pinkham & Smith Series IV Visual Quality 14"
Hermagis Eidoscop #2 14.5"
Hermagis Eidoscop #1 19"
Gundlach Achromatic Meniscus 18"
Puligny Anachromatique 15"
Voigtlander Portrait Euryscop Series II #6

My idea was to just use a single set up in order to try to see nuances of differences. I've imbedded high res images behind the ones that come up quickly. Click on the images to get a higher res version. That's where you can see some differences. The Voigtlander lens is not a true soft focus lens. It is a Rapid Rect. and is sharper than the others.

I hope some will enjoy this. I know most of you prefer sharp pictures, but there are a few of us interested in the fuzzy pictures too.

http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/Ja...it_Lenses.html

[Michael Graves]

You know, if you clean all the crap out of those boots, they'll be a lot more comfortable to wear.

That being said, I love the effect of that 19" Eido-whatever. That one is my favorite.

[domenico Foschi]

It is a Rapid Rect?

[Jim Galli]

It is a Rapid Rect?

PS Series IV, Eidoscop, and Voigtlander are all iterations of Rapid Rectilinear but the first 2 have the softness designed in on purpose through non-corrections. The Voigtlander is just a sharp RR but with a nice big aperture. I think it's about an f4.

[Jan Pedersen]

Thanks for posting these Jim.
Fuzzy is good when we can choose as an option

That Hermagis Eidoscop #1 19" is sweet.

[Hugo Zhang]

Jim,

That Hermagis Endoscop 19" should be No. 2, while the 14.5" should be No.1.

I like the Endoscop 19" too and I also like the P$S 14".

Thanks.

Hugo

[Jim Galli]

Jim,

That Hermagis Endoscop 19" should be No. 2, while the 14.5" should be No.1.

I like the Endoscop 19" too and I also like the P$S 14".

Thanks.

Hugo

Hugo, an endoscop is what the doctor shoves up.......oh never mind. Trust me, you don't want to go there with the 19" Eidoscop.

[panchro-press]

Jim,
You don't mention what format size was used in your tests. Won't that make a difference?

Dave

[Toyon]

There seems to be a ghost of the front of a boot behind the primary boot. Is that a second shoe or something else?

[Jim Galli]

There seems to be a ghost of the front of a boot behind the primary boot. Is that a second shoe or something else?

Jim,
You don't mention what format size was used in your tests. Won't that make a difference? Dave

Thanks. There is a second boot back there, and the format on all is 8X10. Yes, that would make a huge difference. Jim