Soft or Sharp

[goamules]

The 35mm RF lens I've found that gives the closest "classic" soft focus effect is the Nikkor 50/1.4, but only wide open. Even stopped halfway to F2, it becomes sharp. But that's how most of the large format soft focus lenses were controlled too - by the iris. Here are two shots I just took, one at 1.4, the other at 2.0. Again, SF is easier to see large, so here is a bigger copy at 1.4: http://www.flickr.com/photos/garrettsphotos/8652529174/sizes/h/in/photostream/

 

[Doug]

Pentax has offered some interesting specialty lenses over the years, including a couple of soft-focus models. I believe there was an 85mm for the 135 format cameras, and the 120mm for 6x7, which I have. This is a 4-element 3-group lens with deliberate aberrations that are gradually overcome as it's stopped down. It seems to become near-normal at f/8 and beyond, and I was interested to see what remnants of character remained in that region.

"The Pentax 120mm f/3.5 Soft Focus lens is a special-purpose lens useful when soft-effects are desired, either in portraiture or product photography. The soft-effect is greatest when the aperture is set wide-open and gradually sharpens when stopped-down. The diaphragm action on this lens is manual and focusing must be done at the shooting aperture."

The shot below was at f/5.6 with the Pentax 120 Soft on a P67...

This next one is at f/4.5...

 

[Stdon]

As my Dad used to say, "The quickest way to get beat to death with your own camera is to take a sharp portrait of a mature woman. In my LF lens arsenal that I got from Dad are 3 lens sets of varying focal lengths each set has 4 different degrees of "softness"
I have lenses that are razors which younger people portraits can tolerate and another 1 or 2 that are a bit softer for mature people and babies in small format.
As far as I'm concerned this fetish for bleeding sharp glass has been handed down from amateur newbies. It's impossible to create mood with a bleeding sharp lens.
Even in arguably the best B&W film Casablanca every scene with Bergman was softened as well as some scenes with a mood for Bogart.
It's all tools and how you use them.

 

[Roger Hicks]

. . . It's impossible to create mood with a bleeding sharp lens. . . .

Not really. It depends on the mood you are trying to create.

Cheers,

R.

 

[leicapixie]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2227399#post2227399

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2227399#post2227399

When i did darkroom, for fashion shots and head shots,
i used soft filters for taking.
In printing used clear tracing paper over the print,
for a portion of exposure.
Stockings used NOT pantyhose. Big difference..
Hasselblad V series with Zeiss Sonnar 150mm and
original "Softar" filter softens skin but textures of clothing,
are reasonably sharp.
Some old damaged lenses or a single element lens,
in a tube or on bellows.
My Collapsible Summicron50mm f 2. at max aperture.
My Nikon 105 f 2.5 on an F body. again max. aperture.
Being a Sonnar type, it is a portrait lens..Soft.😀
Oh why i used those things..sell portraits..

 

[Photo_Smith]

As well as lenses don't underestimate the roll light plays, the type of lights, diffusers or the quality of light all make a big difference.

When I can I'm going to put some old movie lights with Fresnel lenses in the studio–when I can find the right aircraft hanger for the studio relocation....

 

[Ronald M]

I have a question in this category that I cannot answer myself, since I no longer have darkroom access:

Instead of using grease on your camera lens, wouldn't it be better to produce a sharp negative and the grease your enlarger lens? You could then choose in post which version looks the best.
Even the Thambar metal spot filter could be put on your EL lens.

Anyone of you old timers tried this?

One spreads light into the darks, the other spreads darks into the light.

A small screen or fine black thule netting used under the enlarger lens for 1/4 the total time also works. Vary the time from 10% to 50% to see what you like.

 

[redisburning]

soft or sharp depends on situation, as do most things.

Missed focus used to hurt me deep inside but I have one lens that I think produces just the most beautiful effects if you do miss:


Untitled by redisburning, on Flickr

Untitled by redisburning, on Flickr

to me, sharpness is the default and better most of the time. softness, as an effect, is best left to moderate use. just my 2c.