[LargeFormat] Cooke Soft Focus Lens

[Clive Warren]

At 21:36 02/03/2003 -0500, Odus Lynd wrote:
>Has anyone had any experience with the newly-released Cooke Soft Focus
>lenses?
>I am tempted to buy, but the $3,000 is pricey.
>Thanks very much.
>Odus Lynd (Santa Fe, NM)

Hello Odus,

Yes, Cooke Optics were kind enough to loan f32.net one of their PS945 Soft 
Focus lenses for the Fall workshop last year. In terms of build quality, 
presentation (a wonderful wooden box) and optics it really is a great lens. 
One of the practical advantages of this lens is the new Copal shutter and 
flash synch. See here for a photo of the lens mounted to an Ebony RW45E camera

We only had time for a brief demo. of the lens at the last workshop, 
however, Cooke Optics have very kindly agreed to supply us with a PS945 
again for the f32.net Spring Workshop which is being held in Tintern, South 
Wales, UK on May 8th to 11th 2003. Perhaps you would like to see the lens 
and make your own assessments. More information about the workshop is at 
http://www.f32.net/f32WorkShops/workshop52003_uk.html

There is a section on the PS945 lens on the f32 web site at 
http://www.f32.net/Associates/CookeOptics.php which gives more information 
about the lens. There is a related article from Barbara Lowry of Cooke 
Optics, describing a visit to the great grandson of the maker of one of 
most highly respected soft focus lenses ever made, the Pinkham & Smith. It 
was the Pinkham & Smith lenses that inspired the new Cooke PS945 Portrait 
Lens. Barbara presented Paul Wilson with the prototype PS945 lens for his 
help. http://www.f32.net/Services/Equipment/Lenses/cooke_presentation.php

I have taken a couple of shots using the lens and was impressed by the 
results. Wide open as you may expect, the lens has a wonderful soft 
rendition with a very appealing bokeh for the out of focus areas and 
highlights almost glowing. Shut down the lens can produce very sharp results.

The workshop is a four day event and there is plenty to see and do in the 
area if you want to make a holiday trip/adventure using the workshop as an 
excuse to travel!

Cheers,
             Clive