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Canon Soft focus FD 85mm f/2.8
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 22, 2023 8:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
stevemark wrote:
The Sekor C 145mm SF offers a wild variety of effects from the combination of SF setting (0, 1, 2 and 3) as well as aperture.


I really own that lens. And use it on the digital MF with the great success.



http://forum.mflenses.com/mamiya-secor-sf-c-145mm-4-0-and-phase-one-645dfand-p25-back-t83759.html

I am able also to use it on the FF by the adapter. However, the 145mm is little longish for that format, then it is desirable (as well as Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 EF which I own also). For that reason I was happy to obtain the lens which is under the topic here.

I believe it will be much more convenient upon my Sony A7s. However, unfortunately it is impossible to use with my Canons mirror cameras evidently. Twisted Evil


PostPosted: Wed Aug 23, 2023 6:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Dejan wrote:
... I didn't know about the Minolta portrayer glass specifically, I'll have to take a look at some samples, but P series sounds tempting to try, well probably both if I get a chance;

The Portrayer P set (especially the 72mm for the MinAF 1.4/85, 2.8/80-200 APO and 2.8/200 APO) seems to be pretty expensive as well.

Dejan wrote:
if not I'll go for some alternative. So far I'd only used some dark mist filters in a more subtle way, but that's different. Trying some filters may be a good idea as a first step, and if I get hooked or develop a style, who knows, than buying such a lens may become less of a fad.

A pretty successfull Swiss photographer (well, he'd have enough money to develop his own large format cameras for > 1'000'000.-- CHF) told me that he would often smear a bit of vaseline (=petroleum jelly) on either the front lens or (better) on a UV filter - this wolod give him nearly perfect control over the softness and the specific area to be softened. Need a bit of practise, but seems to work ...

S


PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2023 6:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Softness "2"



Life Goes On


PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2023 6:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Like 1 Like 1 I like it


PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2023 7:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
visualopsins wrote:
I like it


For the pure curiosity did the research. And discovered, that at 1986 that lens costed 115,000 yen, or $470! Rolling Eyes

https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/nfd215.html

https://homework.study.com/explanation/in-1983-the-japanese-yen-u-s-dollar-exchange-rate-was-245-yen-per-dollar-and-the-dollar-cost-of-a-compact-japanese-manufactured-car-was-8-000-suppose-that-now-the-exchange-rate-is-80-yen-per-dolla.html


PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2023 7:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Softness "0" F/4.0 1/200 с; ISO 800



Wish to mention. that the lens has 9 (!) Diaphragm Blades!

Nearly round!


PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2023 8:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Softness "2" F/2.8 1/160 s; ISO 400



PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2023 6:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I see purpose for this lens for glamour shots in the early eighties 😊


PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
caspert79 wrote:
I see purpose for this lens for glamour shots


Well, for the flowers it also isn't so bad:



PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
LittleAlex wrote:
caspert79 wrote:
I see purpose for this lens for glamour shots


Well, for the flowers it also isn't so bad:



Let’s say it’s matter of taste 😊


PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2023 8:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
stevemark wrote:

A pretty successfull Swiss photographer (well, he'd have enough money to develop his own large format cameras for > 1'000'000.-- CHF) told me that he would often smear a bit of vaseline (=petroleum jelly) on either the front lens or (better) on a UV filter - this wolod give him nearly perfect control over the softness and the specific area to be softened. Need a bit of practise, but seems to work ...

S


This is why I gladly keep those otherwise kinda useless UV filters. I know of a case when someone (I don't know who, but I wouldn't borrow him my lenses) didn't think of that, but he rather modified somewhat rare Apo Telezenitar 135mm lens by grinding (roughly at that) the front element, going for the soft focus look. It worked relatively well, he got the effect comparable to stronger settings on this Canon, but now that lens is selling for peanuts for years. Such a shame. Luckily he didn't go for soft focusing Summicron. Plus filters can be rotated if we go for asymmetrical effect of some sorts, keeping some area unaffected or less affected etc. It's also more affordable solution than buying those unusual Tiffen filters for sure, with added pleasure of using DIY methods.


PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2023 9:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
LittleAlex wrote:
visualopsins wrote:
I like it


For the pure curiosity did the research. And discovered, that at 1986 that lens costed 115,000 yen, or $470! Rolling Eyes

https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/nfd215.html

https://homework.study.com/explanation/in-1983-the-japanese-yen-u-s-dollar-exchange-rate-was-245-yen-per-dollar-and-the-dollar-cost-of-a-compact-japanese-manufactured-car-was-8-000-suppose-that-now-the-exchange-rate-is-80-yen-per-dolla.html


Minolta's equivalent (VARISOFT ROKKOR 85mm f/2.8 ) was 86,000円 (yen) in 1978, the year it was introduced. It worked along the same principle by introducing a controlled amount of spherical aberration.

I don't think they expected to sell many of these lenses, which would have made them expensive.


PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2023 10:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
How is it in the non-soft modus? How does it for instance compare to the Sonnar 85/2.8?


PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2023 6:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
caspert79 wrote:
How is it in the non-soft modus?


http://forum.mflenses.com/canon-soft-focus-fd-85mm-f-2-8-t84714.html#1577069

caspert79 wrote:
? How does it for instance compare to the Sonnar 85/2.8?


I didn't compare yet


PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
LittleAlex wrote:
caspert79 wrote:
How is it in the non-soft modus?


http://forum.mflenses.com/canon-soft-focus-fd-85mm-f-2-8-t84714.html#1577069

caspert79 wrote:
? How does it for instance compare to the Sonnar 85/2.8?


I didn't compare yet


I have to say it looks pretty good at first sight.


PostPosted: Mon Sep 04, 2023 5:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
caspert79 wrote:
How is it in the non-soft modus?


F/8.0 soft at "0"



PostPosted: Mon Sep 04, 2023 6:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
f/5.6 softness "2"



PostPosted: Mon Sep 04, 2023 6:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
LittleAlex wrote:
f/5.6 softness "2"



Nice shot 👍


PostPosted: Mon Sep 04, 2023 6:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
f/5.6 softess "0"



PostPosted: Mon Sep 04, 2023 6:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
f/4.0 softness "2"



PostPosted: Mon Sep 04, 2023 10:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
RokkorDoctor wrote:

Minolta's equivalent (VARISOFT ROKKOR 85mm f/2.8 ) was 86,000円 (yen) in 1978, the year it was introduced. It worked along the same principle by introducing a controlled amount of spherical aberration.

I don't think they expected to sell many of these lenses, which would have made them expensive.


Not only that, but the mechanics were quite complicated. On the Minolta at least you have movements for
1) focusing (movement of the Tessar master lens)
2) softening (independent movements of two rear lenses used for softening)
3) compensation (i. e. keeping the lens properly focused while softening, by a combined movement of the three moving groups)

Much more complicated than an ordinary 2.8/85mm prime ...! Details here: http://www.artaphot.ch/minolta-sr/objektive/163-minolta-85mm-f28-varisoft

caspert79 wrote:
How is it in the non-soft modus? How does it for instance compare to the Sonnar 85/2.8?

The Canon nFD 2.8/85 Softfocus has a Ernostar configuration, and obviously a variation between the lens element is used to adjust softness. I would assume a pretty good quality at "0" softness. From the images Alex has published it seems that the Canon produces "softness disks" instead of a smooth softening effect (as e. g. with the Leitz 2.2/9cm Thambar). I have observed a similar behaviour with the Minolta:



S


PostPosted: Tue Sep 05, 2023 12:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
@LittleAlex -- Amazing cat photo!


PostPosted: Mon Sep 11, 2023 11:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
To compare - both photos had been taken with F/2.8 But the first one in the softness mode "0". And the second - the softness mode "1"

Sony a7s 1/500 s; ISO 400





PostPosted: Sat Apr 20, 2024 5:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Sony ILCE-7S

f/2.8 1/4000 s; ISO 200

The softness mode "3"



PostPosted: Thu Apr 25, 2024 9:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Soft focus in this small format is not so easy. Some lens makers try to realise lenses for 35mm format but the most of it are given ugly results.
The samples made with the Canon are looking good, even in colour.

I have a lot of soft focus lenses for my large format cameras. In this formats this lenses are much easier to handle, for me.
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