Really Cheap Lens for Nikon?

[james_elwing]

<p>Just get me to focus for you, even with the best lenses, widest aperture, and I will give you a rubbish image. </p>

[JDMvW]

<p>As said, cheap (mostly Petzval, BTW) few element telephotos were easy to make work well.<br>

This is the "Girl Watcher" from Sterling Howard in NYC</p>

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[steve_mareno1]

<p>We think alike on this subject Kent. Your excellent ideas on DIY lens hacking sound like the best way to get the results that you're after. There's always Vaseline on the lenses that you already have, or simply a piece of paper w/ a hole in it taped over your lens-du-jour for that vintage vignette look. Sadly, most cheapo camera lenses will be too good for what you have in mind unless you flip an element in them. I did that once in an olde folder by mistake and the results were memorable. Looking back, I should have left the lens that way.</p>

<p>Don't forget to randomly over and underexpose your negs, throw in a little camera shake and shutter blur, and mix well w/ poor development for that just right look. A camera held crooked, or simply waved in the general direction of your subject whilst pushing the shutter button, may yield something too.</p>