LocalHero1953 Posted February 11, 2014 Share #1 Â Posted February 11, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Can anyone recommend alternatives to the Thambar for a soft focus portrait lens? I know of the vaseline on the lens/filter trick, but I'd rather have a lens. And good Thambars are selling for collectors' prices these days. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 11, 2014 Posted February 11, 2014 Hi LocalHero1953, Take a look here Soft focus lens options. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Gerard Posted February 11, 2014 Share #2 Â Posted February 11, 2014 I presume you mean a lens that enables frame filling head shots? Â If so, the 75 Summilux, at full bore, is beautifying. It remains sharp, but it's also softening. It's what I use all the time... OMG, He's A Freakin' Angel | Flickr - Photo Sharing! Â There are also soft focus filters out there, but some photographers prefer to use post processing to get similar results. I don't much like the results from either. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 11, 2014 Share #3 Â Posted February 11, 2014 1. Find girlfriend 2. Remove panty 3. Cut piece out of panty 4. Fix over lens by elastic band. 5. Take romantic portrait of replacement girlfriend. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted February 11, 2014 Share #4 Â Posted February 11, 2014 1. Find girlfriend2. Remove panty 3. Cut piece out of panty 4. Fix over lens by elastic band. 5. Take romantic portrait of replacement girlfriend. +1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted February 11, 2014 Author Share #5 Â Posted February 11, 2014 1. Find girlfriend 2. Remove panty 3. Cut piece out of panty 4. Fix over lens by elastic band. 5. Take romantic portrait of replacement girlfriend. Â Incompatible with a wife, I'm afraid! But I'll wait till she comes home and will try it. Â Thanks for the suggestion of the Summilux, but it is considerably less soft than the Thambar, from the sample images I've seen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted February 11, 2014 Share #6 Â Posted February 11, 2014 50 Noctilux f1 is another option, possibly an early mk 1 Summilux 50 / Summarit 50 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 11, 2014 Share #7 Â Posted February 11, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) 1. Find girlfriend2. Remove panty 3. Cut piece out of panty 4. Fix over lens by elastic band. 5. Take romantic portrait of replacement girlfriend. Â Sounds like the outline storyboard intro that spin's off into a porn movie..... Â ..... but if 50mm is OK a ZM Sonnar wide open may be the thing. And then there is software, in which you can at least refine the effect you want. If that fits the bill Nik Software Color Efex Pro is the thing, with both 'Glamour Glow' (don't laugh, its good for all sorts of things) and 'Soft Focus ', which does what it says. Â Â Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted February 11, 2014 Author Share #8 Â Posted February 11, 2014 Thanks for the suggestions, which I'll follow up. I have been taking portrait photos of men and women of all ages. Men are laid back about wrinkles, but, to generalise, women are definitely not. While I don't want to lie, I also find that even with my best lighting efforts, I risk over-emphasising the signs of age. I use the APO-Summicrons 75 and 90, which are disturbingly sharp:eek: I also find LR's skin softening tool hard (but not impossible) to get right, but have not yet explored Nik's tools. But I'd like to look at other options, particularly among lenses rather than software. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Universalb50 Posted February 12, 2014 Share #9 Â Posted February 12, 2014 Summarex, at 1.5? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Geschlecht Posted February 12, 2014 Share #10 Â Posted February 12, 2014 Hello Paul & Universal, Â Welcome to the Forum. Both. Â Why not try a clear filter & paint it with sucessive thin layers of clear nail polish, on the outside side of the glass, in interesting patterns, until you create your desired effect. Â Then screw another clear filter over the painted side of the first filter. To protect your work. Â Leave off the hood & you can add to the softening of the image. Â Not much cost & you create exactly the effect you want. You can change it whenever you want & make a number of different types for different situations/circumstances. Â And you still have a perfectly sharp lens for when you need it. Â Just take off the 2 filters. Â Best Regards, Â Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mr. B Posted February 15, 2014 Share #11  Posted February 15, 2014 I presume you mean a lens that enables frame filling head shots? If so, the 75 Summilux, at full bore, is beautifying. It remains sharp, but it's also softening. It's what I use all the time... OMG, He's A Freakin' Angel | Flickr - Photo Sharing!  There are also soft focus filters out there  I have a Heliopan soft focus filter but I don't like the results. Mr. B Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rirakuma Posted February 15, 2014 Share #12 Â Posted February 15, 2014 Hektor 7.3cm will draw your subjects like a painting. Thambars are nice but I find it very low contrast, the summarex has a "different" bokeh going on which I find unpleasing. I've seen the hektors go for under 1000 if you're patient. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevesurf Posted February 16, 2014 Share #13  Posted February 16, 2014 Sounds like the outline storyboard intro that spin's off into a porn movie..... ..... but if 50mm is OK a ZM Sonnar wide open may be the thing. And then there is software, in which you can at least refine the effect you want. If that fits the bill Nik Software Color Efex Pro is the thing, with both 'Glamour Glow' (don't laugh, its good for all sorts of things) and 'Soft Focus ', which does what it says.   Steve +1 best advice on both items ~ ZM and Color Efex Pro Glamour Glow; I've got a shot here a little off focus with the ZM:  Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnkunstadter Posted February 16, 2014 Share #14  Posted February 16, 2014 I presume you mean a lens that enables frame filling head shots? If so, the 75 Summilux, at full bore, is beautifying. It remains sharp, but it's also softening. It's what I use all the time... OMG, He's A Freakin' Angel | Flickr - Photo Sharing!  ...  Agree. I often combine the 75 Summilux with Delta 3200 @ 1000, as here. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/221892-soft-focus-lens-options/?do=findComment&comment=2533189'>More sharing options...
farnz Posted February 16, 2014 Share #15  Posted February 16, 2014 Paul,  You might consider the Hektor 73/1.9, which produces soft, glowy pictures wide open. Prices are creeping up (aren't they all?) but they can still be found reasonably although they are likely to benefit from a CLA.  I have Carl Zeiss Jena 50/2 Sonnar that produces portraits that are suitably soft for my taste, example below, although LTM versions in reasonable condition are difficult to find because so few were made but the uses of an (Amadeo) adaptor solves that problem.  Pete.  Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/221892-soft-focus-lens-options/?do=findComment&comment=2533428'>More sharing options...
sandro Posted February 16, 2014 Share #16 Â Posted February 16, 2014 How about an old Elmar 90mm wide open? I like the 2/50 mm Summar as well for such purpose. Lex Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted February 16, 2014 Share #17 Â Posted February 16, 2014 Soft-focus filters are not the same as a soft-focus lens, however in my experience the Softar filter is the best add-on. Another lens to consider is the old Canon 85mm screw mount with the 90mm SM adapter. You will adapt to the framing. Â Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted February 16, 2014 Share #18 Â Posted February 16, 2014 How about an early uncoated 5cm Summar wide open? (Coating would only have been applied much later than when manufactured) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share #19 Â Posted February 17, 2014 Thanks for all the advice. Im going to have to do some practical research, but based on the advice I will look at the Hektor 73mm and the ZM Sonnar, which among old and new seem to offer what I want at manageable prices. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted February 18, 2014 Share #20 Â Posted February 18, 2014 Black tule netting, small web size around 1 or 2 mm, cut to circle and place behind rear element of 90 4.0 original. Â Tule is used for veils for women and you purchase at a fabric store. Â 125 mm Hector is soft at 2.5 to 4.0. Â 120 Rodenstock Imagon is made for full frame. 3 front discs + shade and you need them. Â There is always Photoshop. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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