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Archive 2011 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

Gunzorro
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

I've been playing around this week with the single element Sima 100mm f/2 lens, to which I added a reduced aperture to f/6.8.

Besides presenting some of the latest results I've had, I'd like to open up a thread to encompass reduced, limited or restricted focus techniques and equipment. This could range from the current Len Babies, to old folding or box camera lenses, current super-fast aperture lenses, and even tilt/shift to change the plane of focus. Like the twilight thread, I'd like to include regular gear but used in a slightly less regular way -- fast 85 and 135 lenses come to mind -- but not just the same shallow DOF we've seen done so well, so many times before.

Hopefully we can see as wide a range of quality creative work as we've been seeing in the pano and twilight threads.

Canon 1Ds2, Sima 100/2 SF, @ f/6.8, PP in LR3

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/gunzorro/036N6902.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/gunzorro/036N6913.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/gunzorro/036N6846.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/gunzorro/036N6876.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/gunzorro/036N6873.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/gunzorro/036N6833.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/gunzorro/036N6910.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/gunzorro/036N6792.jpg

Jun 16, 2011 at 12:33 PM

buggz2k
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

I've been meaning to show how the Minolta #2 close up lens on my Minolta Rokkor 58/1.2
displays "blooming", or softness when used together at f1.2 - f2.0, there is stop in between. It has "half-stop" values?
Sometimes this can be a very good effect, such as those in your posts.
Now I need to find those images, *8^)

Jun 16, 2011 at 12:38 PM

Gunzorro
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

More. . .

I had a literal walk-around, street photography session yesterday as I waited for two tires to be installed on my car.

Apologies in advance for my continued excess.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/gunzorro/036N6928.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/gunzorro/036N6893.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/gunzorro/036N6882.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/gunzorro/036N6884.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/gunzorro/036N6885.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/gunzorro/036N6867.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/gunzorro/036N6864.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/gunzorro/036N6766.jpg

Jun 16, 2011 at 12:42 PM

Gunzorro
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

buggz2k -- The stop is probably f/1.4 -- my Nikon 55/1.2 AI has a stop right after wide open that is 1.4. The Nikon only has full stop detents, but it can be set between "by guess and by golly".

Looking forward to your images.

Jun 16, 2011 at 12:49 PM

mco_970
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

Looks like it would be interesting for B&W studies, as the photos have such an old time look to them.

Jun 16, 2011 at 01:05 PM

buggz2k
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

How are the Lee soft focus filter set?
Anyone used those.
I have a Lee foundation holder kit and haven't even used it as yet.
Need to get adapter rings and filters...

Jun 17, 2011 at 09:35 PM

dcad10
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

I currently have two copies of the sima 100mm f2 (f4 and f5.6 apertures). I've been meaning to take it outdoors and try it out. Perhaps I'll upload a few picks after I come back.

Jun 18, 2011 at 01:08 AM

Kingfishphoto
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

Hi retester.
I had one of those, and its very nice indeed. Dont over look using it between the numbers( such as 1/2 stops ) it works very well that way.
Harry

Jun 18, 2011 at 06:08 AM

rtester
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

Kingfishphoto wrote:
Hi retester.
I had one of those, and its very nice indeed. Dont over look using it between the numbers( such as 1/2 stops ) it works very well that way.
Harry

Thanks, I did not know that.

Jun 18, 2011 at 10:43 AM

buggz2k
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

Quick play w/ Sima 100mm T mount and 5DMkII:
RAW > Bridge > Image Processor, no PP.

- f4.0, window light, I like this, will have to use it more.
http://www.cornbread.com/~buggz/_MG_5210.jpg

Sep 04, 2011 at 10:33 AM

buggz2k
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

Quick play w/ Sima 100mm T mount and 5DMkII:
RAW > Bridge > Image Processor, no PP.

- f2.0
http://www.cornbread.com/~buggz/_MG_5236.jpg
http://www.cornbread.com/~buggz/_MG_5237.jpg
http://www.cornbread.com/~buggz/_MG_5238.jpg

Sep 04, 2011 at 11:19 AM

dcad10
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

glad to see you are using the sima

Sep 05, 2011 at 10:53 PM

PhotoMaximum
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

Too my eye there is a quality difference with soft focus shots and the gear that produced them.

Some "soft focus" examples exhibit severe QA, zoom like movement and an overall appearance of cheap plastic lens qualities. Other soft images sort of announce "taken with a real lens and soft filter".

I love the look that classic real lenses provide. There are some great large format examples from the late 19th and early 20 centuries. One of the current masters of this movement is Jim Galli. Alt lens fans will love this guy's work: http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/

I myself have gotten into this with a pre WWI Kodak Vest Pocket Meniscus lens conversion. It produces soft images of great character without that iPhone camera app look there is all over the web these days: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1016870

Sep 06, 2011 at 10:47 AM

buggz2k
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

I have wondered about the differences myself.
I like the meniscus look.
I have not tried any filters on a regular lens, as yet, sounds like something to do.
I have not tried any of the PP filters as yet either, have to remember to do this as well.
But for $25.00, the Sima 100mm Soft Focus seemed like an ultra cheap way to try this.
I agree that it isn't the best, but sometimes, under the right conditions, one can achieve a keeper photo.
What other names is this Kodak lens known as, I can't seem to find any.

PhotoMaximum wrote:
Too my eye there is a quality difference with soft focus shots and the gear that produced them.

Some "soft focus" examples exhibit severe QA, zoom like movement and an overall appearance of cheap plastic lens qualities. Other soft images sort of announce "taken with a real lens and soft filter".

I love the look that classic real lenses provide. There are some great large format examples from the late 19th and early 20 centuries. One of the current masters of this movement is Jim Galli. Alt lens fans will love this guy's work: http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/

I myself have gotten into this with a...Show more →

Sep 06, 2011 at 12:15 PM

buggz2k
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

Yes, me too. *8^)
This was a good purchase, thanks again!

dcad10 wrote:
glad to see you are using the sima

Sep 06, 2011 at 12:16 PM

buggz2k
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

Ahh, it is a lens that was "permanently" attached to the vest pocket cameras.
Heh, I'd be afraid to take it apart.
And then, you would probably have to get a bellows mount, and make custom adapters, etc...
Does sound kind of fun. I could get my niece involved.
Hmmm, don't think I could put in the proper time necessary.
And if I did, it would take me forever, sigh...

buggz2k wrote:
I have wondered about the differences myself.
I like the meniscus look.
I have not tried any filters on a regular lens, as yet, sounds like something to do.
I have not tried any of the PP filters as yet either, have to remember to do this as well.
But for $25.00, the Sima 100mm Soft Focus seemed like an ultra cheap way to try this.
I agree that it isn't the best, but sometimes, under the right conditions, one can achieve a keeper photo.
What other names is this Kodak lens known as, I can't seem to find any.

Sep 06, 2011 at 01:13 PM

buggz2k
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

The Imagon style discs sound cool.
I think I might like to try this first.
Sooo many choices...

Kingfishphoto wrote:
Spiratone 100 F4, T-mount, soft focus lens. I purchased new in 1974, and knowing i wanted to control exposure and softness- i purchased a second hood with it and using Cokin filter parts, i made several exposure disc. Doday was not a good demo day, heavy overcast for inside photos.

Sep 06, 2011 at 03:18 PM

Zaitz
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

buggz2k wrote:
The Imagon style discs sound cool.
I think I might like to try this first.
Sooo many choices...

I have a Fujinon with the disks. It works pretty well but you can see what it does on certain highlights:

Sep 06, 2011 at 03:56 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

Zaitz wrote:
I have a Fujinon with the disks. It works pretty well but you can see what it does on certain highlights:
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/8117/steel12.jpg

Interesting highlights, or robodog?

Sep 06, 2011 at 03:59 PM

buggz2k
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Soft Focus/Selective Focus

More quick laptop edits, sigh, I really need to get something better...
Anywho, Sima 100mm Soft Focus f2.0 and Canon 5DMkII:

color, this is actually looking way over saturated on the laptop monitor,
have to check out all of these again on the big screen at the house:
http://www.cornbread.com/~buggz/SoftFocus-Color.jpg

slight sepia:
http://www.cornbread.com/~buggz/SoftFocus-Sepia.jpg

and a blend from the two above:
http://www.cornbread.com/~buggz/SoftFocus-Blended.jpg

Sep 08, 2011 at 03:19 PM

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