Today's Tomorrow

EXPERIMENTS IN BOKEH // 04.27.13

HELIOS 44 58MM F2.0 (WITH MODIFIED ELEMENTS)

I’ve been trying for a while to come up with a way to emulate extreme PETZVAL like bokeh on a EOS camera. The HELIOS 44 comes close. But I was looking for something more Petzval and less lensbaby. This is where I am at… somewhere in between. Very soft focus at the edges… Wild bokeh effects and swirls. Loads of lens flare, and something a bit like ghosting but its not… A wild beast. Be sure to watch the video. Trippy.

Motion examples: https://vimeo.com/65004051

Full Res images on flickr

If I get enough interest maybe I take orders for these… email if interested… put “HELIOS MOD” in the subject.

UPDATE MORE FOOTAGE:

https://vimeo.com/65488705

Now streaming … https://vimeo.com/fullframefeatures/vod_pages

Bokeh Experiments: I’ve started experimenting with modifying certain optical elements to throw the bokeh way out of wack. Some interesting results thus far… will post more results soon.

on flickr too http://www.flickr.com/photos/bognacki/8554335866/in/photostream/lightbox/

I was able to give some new life to a dead Leica 50mm “Summar” f2.0 LTM (1930s) lens by hacking/adapting it to Canon EOS mount. To use this lens on a Canon DSLR I will still need to do some adjustments to the rear element. It is close. Works fine without adjustments and focuses to infinity on the EPIC X. All the smooth OOF and Leica glow you can handle and then some. This lens flares out of control… beautiful soft vintage looks.

Footage: https://vimeo.com/57829626

I had some pristine uncoated lenses converted for use on my EPIC. I finally had a chance to test this one out …. an UNCOATED PREWAR XENON SCHNEIDER 50mm f2 (MINT). I am really happy with the look this lens renders so far. Uncoated flares, low contrast… SHARP yet creamy, Vintage style bokeh. Currently looking for a 35 to complete a small set. I have an 80mm on the way, I hope its in as good condition as this little 50mm… fingers crossed.

Images on FLICKR as well