Soft, but Not-So-Soft; Ross Xpres & Gundlach Hyperion

[Jim Galli]

Things have been slow in old Tonopah since the big Workshop last fall. Here's a page of 5 new images done in the 'soft, and creamy smooth' style.

After working with some of the worlds best and softest lenses, I've enjoyed taking a step backwards. These aren't soft in the traditional style like a Pinkham Smith lens delivers, but I'm loving the smoothness.

The 12" Ross lens was quite literally a "value added" throw away. I had bought an English Kodak 6.5X8.5 2D and the fellow threw the Ross in because the aperture is completely missing, and the original post war coating was all mottled and boogered. As far as value, worthless. However I discovered it's quite easy to modify the front group like the Wolly Velostigmat diffusion lens. Then the challenge is to find planes where you can make the non-alterable f4.5 work for you. I think it has a grand look. Especially for a worthless lens.

[Jehu]

Outstanding!

[eddie]

damn!

i got come shoot with you! you got the best places, best lenses, best technique and a great vision!

well done, as usual.

[Jim Galli]

Outstanding!

damn!

i got come shoot with you! you got the best places, best lenses, best technique and a great vision!

well done, as usual.

Thanks! Come on down. JG

[Jehu]

I must return to the kingdom of Nye to visit the maker of good coffee and impressive photographs... commander of shih-tzus and master of really big brass lenses.

[eddie]

Thanks! Come on down. JG

on my way.... you have been warned...

[russyoung]

Jim-

Next to the Kodak 305mm, my 12 inch Gundlach Hyperion is my next-favorite soft focus lens. I have three different versions including one made by the Siebold Invisible Camera Co. (they made bank surveillance cameras). Some of their literature stated that it could be separated like a Verito...

Like the Kodak (and unlike the Semi-Achromatic, Struss Pictorial, etc.) it was easy to learn to use.

Russ Young

[Miguel Coquis]

... small contribution, from my atelier in Paris

small lens,
small Graflex...

4x5 negative, cropped
dev +1 1/2

[Jim Galli]

Jim-

Next to the Kodak 305mm, my 12 inch Gundlach Hyperion is my next-favorite soft focus lens. I have three different versions including one made by the Siebold Invisible Camera Co. (they made bank surveillance cameras). Some of their literature stated that it could be separated like a Verito...

Like the Kodak (and unlike the Semi-Achromatic, Struss Pictorial, etc.) it was easy to learn to use.

Russ Young

Hi Russ. I love the Hyperion's. They're hard to find and almost always have some balsam trouble. Yes, they were actually triple convertibles / non symmetrical doublets.

... small contribution, from my atelier in Paris

small lens,
small Graflex...

4x5 negative, cropped
dev +1 1/2

Beautiful, as always Miguel. jg

[ziplock122949]

Nice shots. I really like the feel of these images, perfect black and white.