Soft Focus for Hasselblad V?

<p>I was wondering if anyone knew about soft focus lens options for the Hasselblad V system other than the Softar screw on filters? I am not a machinist so making a custom coupling to make a soft focus lens work is probably not an option for me. I am hoping that I have overlooked something obvious and that a proper soft focus lens is actually available.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I don't know of one. I do OK with softars, but sometimes think I'd like to get a Mamiya and a real SF lens.</p>

<p>I have seen several adaptations of Schneider Imagon lenses to Hasselblad. Some in a mount with shutter, some without shutter for use on 200- and 2000-series hasselblad cameras.<br>

Ulrik</p>

<p>I love my Imagon's in large format, but would love to see them with a proper Hasselblad mount. If you run across a ready-made adapter be sure to let me know. <br>

Brian - are you talking about the Mamiya 150 and 180 f/4 soft focus lenses?</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Yes, Tim, that's what I was referring to. I use a Fujinon soft focus for large format and those are basically the same set-up, except they might not have multiple diffusion disks like the lareg format lanses do.</p>

<p>(in hindsight) I've seen Imagons on Hassy mounts but always thought that they were some sort of custom setup.</p>

<p>I might be an odd-ball on this, but I like the look and usability of the Fujinon SF lens more than the Imagon. Most everyone seems to prefer Imagon.</p>

<p>Brian, thanks for the update. I am open to any ideas or suggests for soft focus on my Hasselblad V series other than the obvious Softar filters. I use them because I have to and when I compare those prints to my prints from real soft focus lenses on my other cameras, I prefer them hands down. I am hoping someone has an adapter or something that is easily obtainable. </p>

<p>The other option, which may not be a viable one, is if I could get some sort of adapter ring that would mount on my V series body and on the other side have a standard thread like 58mm or whatever. If I could get that I could probably build a soft focus lens and shutter. I will start a new thread to see if anyone knows of an adapter like that.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

 

<p>http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rodenstock-200-H-5-8-Imagon-10443920-Hasselblad-mount-/390047630872#vi-desc<br>

Is this what you are after, they show up on ebay every now and then.</p>

 

<p>Russ, I think that is exactly it... It would be nice to just find the adapter, but that probably isn't real likely. Thanks for pointing this out.</p>

<p>Tim</p>

 

<p>Over the years I have seen those lens in use on Hasseys, some are without shutters and have to be used on 2000 series cameras. I'm not sure if the one for sale now has a shutter as it does not say in the description. I have always thought that looked like a great option also.......but I really don't need anymore film cameras. As I have four Hasselblads already.........good luck. <br />I'm sure any good machine shop could make a mount, Hasselblad used to sell blank flanges already milled for their bodies I think?</p>

<p>I find a bellows shade with drop in filter slots much more practical, as the Imagons are hard(er) to focus, have set aperture which you have to change manually (as in take the lens out and swap the aperture). The Lindahl bellows are great, and you can get them in a kit with several different filters (softar, bottom vignetters, round vignetters, crookios etc). This way you can have any lens be a 'soft' lens. The shade is also great as an all around adjustable shade.</p>

<p>The Imagons for 6x6 are the 120mm and 150mm. Each of the imagons was calculated for a different format. I use the imagons with the rollei 6008af. If you can read German, I have the 100 page book on the using the imagon with all formats. It is an ocr'ed pdf, so you can use google translate. PM me for a link to it. </p>

<p>Richard - any links to photos with the Imagon on your Rollei?</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I don't have a photo ready to go, but Tak is one of the most knowledgable Rollei users, and this is a link to his rig:<br>

http://www.photo.net/medium-format-photography-forum/00ZBTt<br>

Bear in mind here that the imagon screws into the rollei shutter adapter (59926), which then needs to be mounted on a rollei extension tube to work. The shutter adapter contains a leaf shutter and has helical focusing. </p>

<p>Rodenstock produced Imagon 5.8/200mm for Hasselblad V in very limited quantity. The lens is cumbersome, in black and equipped with black Compur #3 leaf shutter placed on the front of the lens barrel. Imagon and the helical focus tube are placed just behind the shutter. The shutter with Imagon are rotating during focusing. You have to use a double shutter release cable properly adjusted for camera auxiliary shutter and Compur leaf shutter. You do not see a subject after closing the shutter preview lever. The Imagon 5.8/200mm for Rollei SL66 is much lighter and easy to use, you see a subject all the time of shooting. Rodenstock also produced Imagon 5.8/200mm for Mamiya RB67 with Zork-tubus. You replace the front part of your 180 Mamiya Secor C lens with that Zork-tubus which Imagon is screwed in. The newer 180 KL does not match Zork-tubus. I have 3 Imagon's above said and prefer ones for Rollei SL66 and less for RB. All my Softars (1-111) for Hasselblad and SL66 are not in use for portrait shooting any more excluding the No.2 for Sonnar 4.0/150.<br>

BTW, <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rodenstock-200-H-5-8-Imagon-10443920-Hasselblad-mount-/390047630872#vi-desc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">(link)</a> shows Sonnar 4/150mm barrel with garage-made front 50mm tube containing 200mm Imagon. Cheers.</p>