Lenses ~ soft focus on miniature formats - Cosina Cosinon 55mm f2.8

Taking a Pictorialist photo with a tonal range and color tint I like, I ran a quick comparison between sharp optical rendition and soft focus.

I though it might be interesting to illustrate how first element focusing lenses can behave in the field.  Walking around I came across a modern motorcycle and thought I'd use it as the demonstration. 

Setup ~

• Sony A7
• Cosina Cosinon 55mm f/2.8
• One photo taken at f/8
• Lens focusing ring set to infinity
• Helicoid m42 to Sony E adapter used to focus on the bike 
• One photo taken at f/2.8
• Lens focusing ring set to closest focus
• Helicoid m42 to Sony E adapter used to focus on the bike

I picked up the Cosina for very little money.  The trick is it is a first element focusing lens.  I have several Cooke triplets that offer first element focusing, but no Tessar formula.  Until now.  The Cosina Cosinon m42 mount is a Tessar formula optic and I had to have it.  In the interests, of course, of furthering my research into soft focus lenses on small formats.  Right. 

Processing ~

• Using a reference image
• measure the highlights
• measure the shadows
• measure the mid-tones 
• Transfer measurements to the motorcycle image
• Sample colorize the reference image's tints onto the motorcycle image

Quick.  Easy.  Here's what I see -

 

 

Et voila!  Controllable soft focus work in miniature formats using first element focusing SLR-era lenses.