Soft Focus Portrait Lens

[David A. Goldfarb]

Thanks, Ole! That's interesting.

[c.d.ewen]

So, since you are now the foremost collector of Suter Aplanats, having two of them, what makes it an interesting lens?

Well, Ole gave a far better answer than I could. I'm attracted by the mystery of an old lens. Having picked up the No 5 for about $10, the No 6 was irresistable, albeit more expensive. I have the habit of 'adopting' unwanted lenses, e.g., ebay Item number: 7506798496 "Small Brass lens - Producer unknown (like Heliar) ". You never know what you'll get for $3.25. I'm usually impressed by the craftsmanship evident in these 100 yr old treasures.

BTW, I knew a Jeff Goldfarb 30 yrs ago. He lived in Greenwich Village back then. Any relation? (Private email reply if you'd like: cdewen@spamcop.net).

[Denis P.]

I have the habit of 'adopting' unwanted lenses, e.g., ebay Item number: 7506798496 "Small Brass lens - Producer unknown (like Heliar) ". You never know what you'll get for $3.25. I'm usually impressed by the craftsmanship evident in these 100 yr old treasures.

C.D., seems like we're watching the same stuff
And no, I did not manage to get anything yet - the prices seem to go too high for me. But I was interested in that one you mentioned above ...

BTW, I'm looking for shorter FL lenses (i.e. 5-8 in.), "old style" brass - Petzval design and similar, to be used on my Pacemaker Speed Graphic (2x3 size, i.e. 6x9 cm).
I'm trying to achieve a certain 19th Century look, with sharp center and fuzzy edges... So far, I had no luck with ebay, but then I resorted to DIY solutions.
Some results can be seen HERE.

So, if anyone has VERY old lens with such character (sharp center, rapid sharpness loss towards the edges, like very old "portrait" lenses), focal length 130 - 200mm, I might be interested... cheap ones preferred

Denis

[Ole]

So, if anyone has VERY old lens with such character (sharp center, rapid sharpness loss towards the edges, like very old "portrait" lenses), focal length 130 - 200mm, I might be interested... cheap ones preferred

Denis

I think I might have something that might fit - I'll check. I think it's a 5" "Universal-Aplanat", which should match your description!

[c.d.ewen]

Denis:

>C.D., seems like we're watching the same stuff

Ha! Just what the world needs: another bottomfeeder!

I'm trying to achieve a certain 19th Century look, with sharp center and fuzzy edges... So far, I had no luck with ebay, but then I resorted to DIY solutions.

Two suggestions:

Find a copy of Alan Greene's "Primitive Photography" (ISBN: 0240804619). He discusses DIY cameras, etc., and some of his DIY lenses seem to result in the look you're after.

Vintage consumer-grade cameras, e.g., 75 yr old folders, often had optional special-purpose lens attachments. Here's an ebay example: 7509987380. They'll usually be marked as to their purpose: Portrait, Telephoto, etc. I'll confess to having a number of these (at a dollar apiece, who can resist?). Of course, like so many projects, I haven't gotten around to using them, so I can't say whether or not they'll do what you want. Like many of us, I don't seem to find the time to play with all of my toys.

[Ole]

I think I might have something that might fit - I'll check. I think it's a 5" "Universal-Aplanat", which should match your description!

I've checked - it's an unmarked lens of unknown origin, seems to be about 5", f:8. Iris works fine, seems to be a 1+1 construction (2 airspaced elements), at least I can only find two reflections in each "cell"!

Projected image is slightly smaller than from a 150mm lens, coverage too (I compared with a 135/3.4 Xenar Type D).

In my mail today was a Lancaster & Son Rectigraph 12x10" - beautiful lens! And a Rodenstock "Hemi-Anastigmat 300mm", and a Hugo Meyer Aristoplan F:7,2 No5 F=270mm with an image circle of about 50cm...

I'll have to get an ULF camera next!

[Denis P.]

Ole, how does the image from that lens look? At least from what you can see on the ground glass...
I've got enough sharp lenses to use - I'm looking for lenses with particular "character" - undercorrected, I guess.
Like I said above, ideal candidate would be something that projects sharp center, with rapid degradation in sharpness towards the edges.

Denis

[jnanian]

I think I might have something that might fit - I'll check. I think it's a 5" "Universal-Aplanat", which should match your description!

hi ole -

how do the aplanats compare with rapid rectalinaer lenses - imagewise that is ? i know rr lenses tend to be sharp in the center ans softer towards the edges ( used for portrait and landscape-work), and from what i have read they were often used as a convertable lens ... ( the verito being based on the rr design )

the aplanats similar?

[Denis P.]

hi ole -

how do the aplanats compare with rapid rectalinaer lenses - imagewise that is ? i know rr lenses tend to be sharp in the center ans softer towards the edges ( used for portrait and landscape-work), and from what i have read they were often used as a convertable lens ... ( the verito being based on the rr design )

the aplanats similar?

The RRs and Aplanats are very similar design, from what I was able to find on the Web... RR was a design by Dallmeyer in 1866, and Aplanat was "invented" at approximately same time by Steinheil in Germany.
See: http://www.engr.udayton.edu/faculty/...pid/rapid.html

Denis

[Ole]

Denis is right. "Rapid Rectilinear" seems very similar to "Aplanat", especially since most aplanats are from German-speaking countries and most RR's are from English-speaking countries...

Projected image is slightly smaller than from a 150mm lens, coverage too (I compared with a 135/3.4 Xenar Type D).

Not only awful spelling, but I seem to have had a brief attack of dysnumericity: The Xenar Typ D I compared with is a 15cm f:3.5!

I haven't even seen the inage on a ground glass yet - just projected the image of a bright sunny day on the wall of a darkish room... That's always my first check of any new lens. While no as good as a full camera test, it will at least show whether the lens forms an image, the approximate focal length, and give an idea of brightness and image circle.

I'll put some of the barrel lenses on the 18x24cm plate camera tomorrow for a closer look.