[alt-photo] Re: two alt listers with big big big

[Joseph Smigiel]

Petzvals are very sharp for the intended plate size.  They are not  
generally soft-focus lenses although some (Dallmeyer Patent Portrait,  
Wollewnsak Vitax, etc.,) can exhibit varying degrees of softness by  
means of moving the rear elements out of their normal position  
relative to each other.

My plate was made with a Dallmeyer 3A Patent Portrait lens which was  
intended for whole-plate (6.5" x 8.5") format.  The ambrotype is on a  
piece of 10" x 12" amethyst glass so the Petzval signature swirl is  
apparent beyond what would be  a whole-plate mechanical crop.  The  
image would appear very sharp and without swirls on a whole-plate.

Joe


On Jun 15, 2010, at 11:02 AM, Richard Knoppow wrote:

>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Loris Medici"  
> <mail at loris.medici.name>
> To: "'The alternative photographic processes mailing list'" <alt- 
> photo-process-list at lists.altphotolist.org>
> Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 11:22 PM
> Subject: [alt-photo] Re: two alt listers with big big big
>
>
>> Hi Christina,
>>
>> Not that beautiful (and showy) as those old portrait lenses, but,  
>> lensbabies
>> also give a similar effect (due severe astigmatism?) it you like  
>> it...
>>
>> Regards,
>> Loris.
>>
>    The "swirl" effect in the photos is strange looking. It may be  
> due to some defect in the lens but it looks more like a digital  
> effect.
>    Petzval lenses are actually pretty good, their limit is having a  
> narrow field of view. Petzval lenses are still used as projection  
> lenses where the a wide coverage angle is generally not necessary.
>    Most soft focus lenses ...

> Richard Knoppow
> Los Angeles, CA, USA
> dickburk at ix.netcom.com
>
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