Convert normal lenses to soft focus?

[sanking]

I have seen some pretty interesting work here from soft focus lenses and would like to experiment with the effect. But the price of some of the premier soft focus lenses, like the Veritas Veritatums, Vertigos, Pickhimup Smiths, and of course the famous Hugo Chevalier Doppel Pretzel, are more than I want to pay to experiment.

So how does one go about converting a normal type lens to a soft focus one? Could I just break the glass on one of the elements, or maybe glue another piece of glass to one of the lenses. Must be a manual of some type on violating older lenses to kill the sharpness and give a lot of coma?

Sandy

[Peter De Smidt]

How about using a magnifying glass in front of a shutter?

[E. von Hoegh]

A Dagor used wide open gives a nice soft glow with a sharp core.

[DrTang]

vaseline

[E. von Hoegh]

vaseline

Except, smear the goo on a filter you don't care about instead of the lens. A stocking stretched over the lens works too.

[Randy]

Crumple up some plastic wrap and rubber band it to the front of the lens. Cut a small circle out of the center if you want it sharp(er) in the center.
You can purchase soft focus filters.
I think some have unscrewed the front or rear element somewhat for soft focusing.

[Peter Gomena]

An old-timer I once met used crinkled cellophane taped over the lens. He'd burned a central hole and 5 or 6 surrounding holes in it using a cigarette.

[Steven Tribe]

This is a deja-vu thread - as the same question and exactly the same answers have been given in a previous thread!!

"How to soften or diffuse a lens". Same contributers as well!

[Gem Singer]

A Tiffen Soft/FX screw-in filter is a simple solution to the problem.

Don't know if that type of filter is still being made. However, used ones are available.

Vaseline smeared on a clear filter, crinkled cellophane, or a piece of black nylon hose in front of the lens is a PITA to use.

Breaking one of the lens elements might not result in the effect you are seeking.

[C. D. Keth]

You can experiment with unscrewing one lens group, too. Some of the old portrait lenses worked like this. Fully screwed in, the lens was as corrected as possible. As one part was unscrewed, you introduced increasing aberrations. I'm guessing it's a "little goes a long way" kind of thing.


You can also make a pretty decent diffusion filter by spraying hairspray into the air and waving a flat through it. Once for lighter strength, twice or more for stronger. It will take a little experimentation to get the effect light enough.