Old School Meet New School

[smoke665]

Came across an old Pictrol Soft focus Control Pictrol Pictorial Control Soft focus device in a drawer and have been meaning to try it, this morning seemed like a good time. The Pictrol uses an adjustable aperture of opaque plastic to add soft focus while allowing the center to remain sharp. The following is an assortment of different settings. In each the center point is on the main flower. Forgot my WB target, so these may be just slightly off. C&C and questions welcome.
#1
flower06222018_383.jpg by William Raber, on Flickr

#2
flower06222018_382.jpg by William Raber, on Flickr

#3
flower06222018_380.jpg by William Raber, on Flickr

#4
flower06222018_379.jpg by William Raber, on Flickr

Edit: Adjusted WB

 

[Gary A.]

I like the potential. The link you posted showed a dramatic increase in lens flare per the device. I think there is a big learning curve with the unit. If I shot a lot of landscapes or flowers I would get one.

 

[Jeff15]

Nice flowers...

 

[smoke665]

I like the potential. The link you posted showed a dramatic increase in lens flare per the device. I think there is a big learning curve with the unit. If I shot a lot of landscapes or flowers I would get one.

The last time I used this was in the late 70's so anything I might have known about it's use as long since faded away! LOL I think I've seen enough to try some more. One disadvantage is that it will only fit smaller diameter lenses. This was on the 70 ltd, because the attached hood on the 35 ltd was just a tad to big. The big advantage is that you can keep a good DOF just on the focal item, but cause the balance of the image to go soft.

 

[Gary A.]

Further looking into the Pictrol it is described as an enlarger modifier.

 

[smoke665]

Further looking into the Pictrol it is described as an enlarger modifier.

It will work on anything with a lens that fits. I first bought it for that use in the darkroom, but later started using it on camera.

 

[TCampbell]

I used to have a spot-diffusion filter (clear in the middle but textured glass around the edges) to produce this effect.

But the VERY common way to do this back in the day was to use a clear filter but smear a light coating of vaseline around the outer part of the filter ... keeping the center clear. Then clean off the vaseline when you were finished.

 

[smoke665]

I used to have a spot-diffusion filter (clear in the middle but textured glass around the edges) to produce this effect.

But the VERY common way to do this back in the day was to use a clear filter but smear a light coating of vaseline around the outer part of the filter ... keeping the center clear. Then clean off the vaseline when you were finished.

Done that as well, but it's not the most precise way of doing it, doesn't allow for adjustment, and is a giant magnet for dirt, fuzz, lint, etc. I've also used cutouts in construction paper over the front of the lens to create heart shaped or other unusual bokeh.

 

[Gary A.]

I would put Vaseline directly on the lens.