A Page Where I Test 4 Vintage lenses for LOOK

jimgalli · Dec 11, 2006

Saturday AM I set out to make images with 4 different antique lenses. 2 are soft focus lenses and 2 are not. The images will surprise you I think. They were:

Gundlach Meniscus 18" f6

Cooke Aviar 12 1/2" f6

Meyer Goerlitz Aristostigmat f6.5

Beach Multifocal Series A 16" f4.5

I photographed a common scene with all 4 but tried some different apertures. The set-up is very similar to size and distance from a head and shoulder portrait sitting. I purposely did that to "see" what the depth of focus might look like in portraits.

I used my Kodak 9a Studio 8X10 camera. The Packard shutter was unwilling on this morning. It actually broke down. How dare it! It's only 80 years old. So I simply proceeded with 2 8X10 dark slides with V shaped slit formed. I metered between 1/30 and 4 seconds on these.

All are imperfect, but they get the job done visually for comparison sake.

Go have a look, it will take you 5 minutes or so, then let me know which one you like

The images are here;

http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/PorcelainCoffeepot/ThePorcelainCoffeepotPictures.html

I plan to post this at LF Forum also for those of you who cruise both places.

reellis67 · Dec 11, 2006

Wow! That Aviar is crispy at f/22. I like the softer images of the Gundlach and the Beach at f11, but the Aviar does it for me both open and stopped down.

- Randy

Steve Duprey · Dec 11, 2006

"Please, Sir...may I have some more?"

Really great comparison, but if I had to pick, I'd go with the Aviar when I want the sharp look, and the Grundlach for the softer effect. Now you've got me wondering what I should look for to put on my 4x5. Any advice? Or should I just get an 8x10 and be done with it?

Decisions...decisions...

Best regards,

-Steve Duprey

DWThomas · Dec 11, 2006

Having never been much of a softy, on most days I would gravitate to the Aviar f22. But that said, from my occasional painterly perspective, I like the almost-impressionist scene with the Beach at f11 1/2, a nice selective focus.

DaveT

jimgalli · Dec 11, 2006

Steve Duprey said:
"Please, Sir...may I have some more?"

Now you've got me wondering what I should look for to put on my 4x5. Any advice? Or should I just get an 8x10 and be done with it?

Decisions...decisions...

Best regards,

-Steve Duprey

I get a lot of folks asking what can I put on the 4X5 that will look the same. The real answer is that any of these lenses would fail to look anywhere near as good on 4X5 because so much of the different effects or looks is simply caused by depth of field which is 1000X different on the 8X10 than on a 4X5. Just get an 8X10 and be done with it

jonw · Dec 11, 2006

As always, a joy to view the fruits of your labors. Of these, the Cooke Aviar 12 1/2" f6 and Meyer Goerlitz Aristostigmat f6.5 pics caught my eye.
BTW, got that big 5D on a board yet?
Best wishes, Jon

John Bartley · Dec 11, 2006

Well, FWIW, I like the Gundlach at F11-1/2 and the Beach also at F11-1/2. I find the depth just right for my taste in this scene. The others are either too soft or too hard. Forced to choose a favourite among the others, I would have to go with the harder scenes as the soft scenes are too hard on my eyes.

cheers

jimgalli · Dec 11, 2006

John Bartley said:
Well, FWIW, I like the Gundlach at F11-1/2 and the Beach also at F11-1/2. I find the depth just right for my taste in this scene. The others are either too soft or too hard. Forced to choose a favourite among the others, I would have to go with the harder scenes as the soft scenes are too hard on my eyes.

cheers

Maybe Visine will buy my pictures for their red eye ad campaigns

jonw said:
BTW, got that big 5D on a board yet?
Best wishes, Jon

Not yet Jon. Waiting for a certain 11X14 camera to come.

wilsonneal · Dec 11, 2006

I like the dreamy quality of the Beach, and if it had a synch shutter and a Kodak Master View lensboard and showed up on eBay, I'd pay 500 bucks for it without thinking too long.
N

Chazzy · Dec 11, 2006

I love the Gundlach Meniscus at f8. Now I suppose I will have to start looking for one.

filmnut · Dec 11, 2006

Nice series, and its' hard to decide, on my fav., so I won't pick just one.
So here's my choices.
A toss up between the Gundach f 6, and the Beach f11 1/2 for the beautiful, dreamy look, the Cooke f6 for the nice crisp lines, and smooth bokeh, the Cooke at f22 for the super- sharp look.
Keith

jovo · Dec 11, 2006

The Grundlach Meniscus at f11 does it for me...just a tad soft, but more soulful than the others.

I love the enamel pitcher too. It's a great period prop for these 'graphs. I'm thinkin' fresh warm milk right out of the cow.

Curt · Dec 11, 2006

Cooke or the Meyer.

Jim Noel · Dec 11, 2006

once again Jim has provided us wioth some very interesting images to compare. Thanks Jim.

However, as a result, here go the prices of these wonderful lenses again.

By the way Jim, I tried to pm you but it didn't get through. The Verito made it in great shape and it is a joy to use.

maxbloom · Dec 17, 2006

my vote is for the cooke 12 1/2" aviar...tone range, contrast, and sharpness are all on point.

PHOTOTONE · Dec 17, 2006

I have a theory that there are some people who have developed enough craft and skill at creating photographs that they can make beautiful images with old scratchy coke bottle bottoms.

A Page Where I Test 4 Vintage lenses for LOOK

Membership Council

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency