Some Soft Focus Lens Sales Information

[Tim Meisburger]

Thanks Pierre. Don't forget the flange!

Cheers, Tim

[Tim Meisburger]

Well, I have been reading over this, and I think I have it figured out. The view is that the rear screw was inserted to hold the rear element in the sharp position. In the older version of the lens you unscrew the rear element to introduce softness, but in the newer version you rotate the rear housing group causing the inner element to move closer or farther from the rear element, introducing or reducing softness. The internal threads are fine and precise, and in most examples seem to be seized, which I think is the case with mine. The rear screw is merely there to prevent one from accidentally unscrewing the barrel while turning it to adjust sharpness. I think the ones Pierre compared it to were the older versions where the mechanism to introduce softness is merely unscrewing the rear element (which in hindsight seems the superior method, since examples from the 19th century still work).

[Steven Tribe]

I have kept away from this here, as I was expecting it to re-emerge in another thread.

I have no doubt that this is a 3B, with all elements as it left Dallmeyers!
This one has a reverse thread for the soft adjustment - not something you can pick up from a box of spare parts!
The fact of the counter clockwise thread may be the cause of the current seizure.

[goamules]

Some of the "Turn for Soft" Dallmeyers had a locking tab in about that position too. My 3A did. It was a sliding bar that locked into a notch in the flare/fillet area, so it would not turn unless you released it.

[pierre506]

Some of the "Turn for Soft" Dallmeyers had a locking tab in about that position too. My 3A did. It was a sliding bar that locked into a notch in the flare/fillet area, so it would not turn unless you released it.

So, does your 3A rear glass have the normal 4 indicators for soft focus degree?

[goamules]

Pierre, good question but I'm afraid I've sold the lens, and don't remember if it had the notches in the rear. It seems to me the "Barrel Turn" ones would not need them. But - I hate to say yes or no without finding a picture. I'm still looking in my computer for a rear shot, but here are the tabs. Note one for holding the barrel focus, and another to hold the lens on the flange.

[Emil Schildt]

Pierre, good question but I'm afraid I've sold the lens, and don't remember if it had the notches in the rear. It seems to me the "Barrel Turn" ones would not need them. But - I hate to say yes or no without finding a picture. I'm still looking in my computer for a rear shot, but here are the tabs. Note one for holding the barrel focus, and another to hold the lens on the flange.

I bet it doesn't.... (mine hasn't) BUT you can actually see notch nr 3 onth every right of your image! they are placed on that rigde where the lock also is located... (see the little image)

[Steven Tribe]

Garrett's image shows a front version that has a standard thread for the shorter barrel which unscrews for softness. The Tim/pierre version has the arrow pointing the other way (clockwise) - thus indicating a reverse thread.


I am certain that has been discussed/illustrated in a previous thread (pun not intended!).

[pierre506]

I bet it doesn't.... (mine hasn't) BUT you can actually see notch nr 3 onth every right of your image! they are placed on that rigde where the lock also is located... (see the little image)

There is no any notches there according to the pices.


I gradually agree with Steven.
But some questions:
1, does the photographer need to bring a small screwdriver? Dallmeyer engineer made the design. I believe there must be very easy solution.
2, the photographer can decide the soft focus degree more freely without the notches， just like automatic transmission compares manual one?
3, my friend's Black aluminum 3B is also a very late version.

[pierre506]

4,the size of the flint and crown glasses is obviously smaller than normal.