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

[jimgalli]

also posted for my friends over at lfforum.

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.

[Shadowtracker]

Man, those are beautiful... I like the idea too, find the right situation to be able to use that particular lens for; something of a different approach to begin with. I am so used to picking out the right lens for the situation rather than picking out the right situation for the lens I have. I used to work in a shop that had a lot of those kinds of machines in it 30 or so years ago. Thanks for posting those.

[mike c]

Jim,do you think unscrewing the the front part of my 12" Paragon anastigmat soften up like those,all ways used it stopped down .

[jimgalli]

Thanks Tim.

Jim,do you think unscrewing the the front part of my 12" Paragon anastigmat soften up like those,all ways used it stopped down .

Every one of these things is different. Technically it may be possible. It depends on how the Paragon is put together. If it's simple to increase the space between the the 2 front glasses, give it a try. Simply unscrewing the front group and moving both glasses farther away from the aperture won'd do anything. You have to make the space between the front 2 glasses.

[mike c]

Ok Jim,the two front elements would not be possible to separate.Have to wait for another lens,but thanks for posting these findings of your.It makes it easyer to figure out what I want in a older lens.

Mike

[R gould]

I was printing some negs taken on a ross ensign 12/20 with a ross express 75mm lens,nice,sharp,one of my all time favorites and matches the tessor inichard