Soft Focus Lenses on a Nikon D3

[jmottle]

Hi all,

Just stumbled upon this fantastic forum and have to admit I've been sucked in. Just what I need...another expensive hobby. I found this site while researching old soft focus lenses. I have no experience with them, but am looking for something that could replicate the outstanding photos in the link below.

http: // galactinus.net/vilva/retro/radionar_bw.html

Does anyone have any recommendations for a lens that could be adapted to an F-Mount and work with a DSLR? I shoot with a Nikon D3. Any suggestions or recommendation, places to research etc would be greatly appreciated.

Jeff

[kds315*]

Hi Jeff

and welcome to mflenses! You have found a great forum with lots of info for your needs.

I work with soft focus lenses and I have quite a few of them, also some that I made especially for
my needs. I work with Nikon + Panasonic + Hasselblad bodies.

See: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kds315/sets/72157624557978060/

I have more info for you, email me --> postmaster AT macrolenses.de

[koen kallenberg]

i have a soligor 135mm f/2.8 which is so soft it would qualify as a soft focus lens
great for shooting portraits of my girlfriend next to useless for shooting anything else because it does not have as much character as a real soft focus lens.
but if you only want to shoot some portraits, go for a cheap 135mm and shoot it wide open

[jmottle]

I shoot primarily architecture and landscapes, so I'm trying to replicate the optical characteristics of those old lenses (soft focus, blooms, aberrations etc.) I rarely shoot people and definitely don't want the traditional soft-focus dreamy wedding look.

[kds315*]

Old landscape shooting lenses come to mind (brass type, Petzval design for instance), which I have also used occasionally. They have to have rel. short focal length to be useful on a D3 and need focusing mounts.