How to duplicate the Civil War era Portrait "look"?

[Designer]

I noticed in American Civil War era portraits, there seems to be a "look" that you don't see very often. It's hard to explain, but it looks like there is a very short focal length.

Notice how Lincoln's eyes, nose, and mouth are in focus, but his ears, hair, and arms are slightly out of focus. It's as if there is a narrow plane which is in focus.

My question is, what kind of lens could duplicate that "look"?
Would a fixed focal length lens be best?
If so, what lens would you suggest?

Asked and answered.

Long lens, not short.

A couple of us also addressed the lighting commonly used in that era.

 

[beagle100]

I noticed in American Civil War era portraits, there seems to be a "look" that you don't see very often. It's hard to explain, but it looks like there is a very short focal length.

Notice how Lincoln's eyes, nose, and mouth are in focus, but his ears, hair, and arms are slightly out of focus. It's as if there is a narrow plane which is in focus.

My question is, what kind of lens could duplicate that "look"?
Would a fixed focal length lens be best?
If so, what lens would you suggest?

Asked and answered.

Long lens, not short.

A couple of us also addressed the lighting commonly used in that era.

yes, those old wet plate cameras had seriously small "DOF"
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