kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

I'm still hot and heavy into exploring the bokeh of vintage lenses, to the extent that I have pretty much set aside all my modern lenses for now. I'm especially interested in the bokeh of old long lenses, something that most bokeholics seem to ignore. Anyway, here is another set of ten for you to have a look at and hopefully enjoy.

These lenses are not particularly sharp or well-corrected, especially at max aperture, but that is what gives them their charm. They are really not good for general photography--the trick is to find out how to use their deficiencies to advantage.

Shot with a nearly 100 year old C mount lens, approximately 150mm f4.5

(Download)

Another with the same lens, a Dallmeyer #9 Kinematograph

(Download)

Here's a statue of the Buddhist goddess of mercy at a Zen temple in Kamakura, shot with a 10.5 inch f6.7 Dallmeyer Dallon Tele Anastigmat

(Download)

Kingfisher among autumn leaves, shot with a 17 inch f5.6 (about 432mm) Dallmeyer Dallon

(Download)

The same bird on the other side of the pond, shot with the 10.5" Tele Anastigmat

(Download)

This is some exxxtreme bokeh, shot with a 50mm f1.5 Cine Navitar, which is a Petzval design cine lens

(Download)

The Kilfitt Makro-Kilar 90mm f2.8 was the first macro lens, able to focus to 1:1. It is monstrously sharp, but it also had the first aspheric element ever, which was in two steps instead of a continuous curve, which gives a very unique bokeh

(Download)

Another with the Makro-Kilar

(Download)

Modified Taylor and Hobson 3 inch f1.8 projection lens gives massive spherical aberration near the edges of frame, which can be used to interesting effect

(Download)

Another shot with the Taylor and Hobson, with its special charm

(Download)

sakitson Loc: Goleta, CA

Beautiful artwork. Love the color blending from the bokeh.

RWCRNC Loc: Pennsylvania

I think these are all beautiful, but for me, except for the pink flower, the main subject is lost in the stunning bokeh.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Enjoyed these very much! Beautiful shots!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Stunning! Thanks so much for sharing your artistry and what's possible with these lenses, Toby.

dennisallard Loc: Southern Maine

Excellent post. Some very interesting results you have here.

Carlo Loc: Maryland, NW.Chesapeake Bay

WHOW...Amazing Images...Beautiful..Thanks for sharing with narrative and descriptions..!!!

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice work.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

All good, especially llke # , 7, and 9.

cabunit Loc: SE Connecticut

Such wonderful colors, beautiful spareness, and--to me, at least--unique background patterns in your compositions. Especially enjoyed 2, 4, 8, 9, and 10. Had you not explained the lenses, I might have thought you had applied some Photoshop filters. Loved the effects.