Panavision Primo Classic "soft effect"

[Guillaume Cottin]

Hello everyone,

 

Do you have any info on the Panavision Primo Classic "soft effect" mode?

 

I know it is an optical, variable diffusion effect, but I have yet to see the effect on an image. Any links or screenshots?

 

This function is only available on the 24, 30, 65, 85 and 125mm, and I wonder if it cuts well with the other Primo lenses without the effect.

 

Best,

[Daniel Klockenkemper]

Hello Guillaume,

 

I would guess that the soft effect is a spherical aberration control. It would allow you to dial in the amount by which you can make the lens "less perfect." See the following:

 

http://www.cookeoptics.com/cooke.nsf/products/s4i_more.html

 

http://www.adaptall-2.org/lenses/51A.html

[Guillaume Cottin]

Thanks Daniel,

 

Any pictures of the effect itself ? Can't find any on the internet.

 

G.

[Daniel Klockenkemper]

Examples of the Tamron lens are a little easier to find. Here are a few links with samples:

 

http://forum.manualfocus.org//viewtopic.php?pid=82658#p82658

 

The user Abbazz posted images on pages 1 and 3 of this thread: http://forum.mflenses.com/new-pictorialism-soft-focus-alert-t40873.html among other lens examples (not all of which achieve softness by the same means). The same user posted additional examples here: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/84187-soft-focus-lenses-actually-useful-3.html