Petzval lens for Hasselblad 500 with central leaf shutter. Petzvar 4/120

Denys · Sep 11, 2015

Hello!

I'm going to launch my second Kickstarter project. This time I hope to fund the creation of the 2nd generation Petzvar lens - the Petzvar 4/120, which incorporates a leaf shutter and is being made specifically for Hasselblad 500 series cameras.

As it's still a standard Hasselblad V-mount, the 2nd generation Petzvar can still be mounted and used on 200 and 2000 series bodies.

Also, I will add two more mounts: Pentax 645 and Mamiya 645.

I will appreciate your support or feedback.

The project has been approved by Kickstarter and will be launched within a couple of days. Here is the link to preview page:

Dead Link Removed

Cheers,
Denys.

Richard Man · Sep 11, 2015

Dear Denys, to be honest, I am a little sad that old C-lens will be re-purposed. I am sure your effort will be great, but nevertheless...

Denys · Sep 11, 2015

Richard, I have many of them with separation/scratches of the front elements, I guess, it is good to give them another life.

Richard Man · Sep 11, 2015

Ah OK then! Please make it clear on your KickStarter page. I will probably support it then. (Also saw your email).

Denys · Sep 11, 2015

Richard, of course, I'm not going to ruin good working Sonnars! But there are many of old C lenses, that otherwise won't be used. It is pretty expensive these days to have them CLAd and many of them sold for parts/repair due to shutter speeds problems or other issues, that can be solved.

JOR · Sep 11, 2015

Martin Forscher camera repair in NYC sold soft-focus lenses in 150mm Sonnar barrels and shutters in the 1960s. I'm not sure if the glass was of Petzval configuration, but the effect was similar. The degree of softness was adjusted with perforated annular 'valves'. Most people used Vaseline or 'Softar' filters at vastly lower cost for similar results.

Richard Man · Sep 11, 2015

Petzval is not really soft focus. I have a Cooke PS945 for my 4x5 and a couple 100 years old Cooke as well. They are not the same as Petzval.

Denys · Sep 11, 2015

Yes, you are correct. Petzval is softer, if compared with modern, better corrected lenses, but it is not a soft focus lens.

Denys · Sep 11, 2015

Martin Forscher camera repair in NYC sold soft-focus lenses in 150mm Sonnar barrels and shutters in the 1960s. I'm not sure if the glass was of Petzval configuration, but the effect was similar. The degree of softness was adjusted with perforated annular 'valves'. Most people used Vaseline or 'Softar' filters at vastly lower cost for similar results.

Very interesting. Was it something like Imagon? I also have built a soft focus lens, here is a sample image taken with it:

chrisaisenbrey · Sep 11, 2015

Very interesting project.

Mamiya RB would be also a good candidate. It is very easy to remove the glass without disassembling the rest of the lens or shutter. Almost like on a large format lens. It should be relatively easy to construct something for the 127mm lens. (Like the Imagon kit for the 180 mm lens, but this one has only a front element.)

Denys · Sep 11, 2015

Thank you. I will get myself Mamiya RB to take a closer look. The lens for 6x7 or 4x5 large format is on my list of future projects.

Petzval lens for Hasselblad 500 with central leaf shutter. Petzvar 4/120

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