Sears 135 "Soft Focus" Alternatives

Gillco Photo · 05-14-2023, 09:44 PM

I am very tickled by the 70s/80s soft focus achieved with the Sears 135 2.8 Macro (Korean) - so I'm now looking for other lenses that also do this - any suggestions?

**seventhdr** · 05-14-2023, 10:15 PM - **1 Like**

Pentax have the 85mm soft focus lenses. f2.2 and f2.8 in F and FA versions, and a 28mm FA soft focus lens for K-mount cameras.

As well as a120mm soft focus lens for the 67 mount.

Regards

Chris

**AstroDave** · 05-14-2023, 10:45 PM - **1 Like**

Take some cheap lens you have and smear some Vaseline (or equivalent) over the front

pschlute · 05-14-2023, 11:18 PM - **2 Likes**

I have the "K" 85mm 2.2 SOFT lens, it produces very dreamy images. Because there is no aperture linkage on the lens (it stops down in real time), it works in Av mode on a modern DSLR.

garywakeling · 05-15-2023, 04:11 AM - **2 Likes**

I have all the soft lenses by Pentax, they have a unique ability to have two images at one, one soft and the other sharp sort of superimposed on each other.
FA 28mm Soft

FA 85mmSoft

kypfer · 05-15-2023, 08:13 AM - **1 Like**

I've got an EBC Fujinon SF 85mm f/4 in 42-screw fitting that's built for the job … it's got a perforated disc internally which has most effect at full aperture, this effect is combined with a slight (calibrated) defocussing using a separate ring on the lens.
I really should use it more, but it seems to have more effect on full-frame (film) rather than APS-C digital.

05-14-2023, 09:44 PM	#1
Gillco Photo New Member Join Date: Jul 2022 Posts: 5	Sears 135 "Soft Focus" Alternatives I am very tickled by the 70s/80s soft focus achieved with the Sears 135 2.8 Macro (Korean) - so I'm now looking for other lenses that also do this - any suggestions?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Nature Soft focus courtesy of a Sears lens	Dewman	Post Your Photos!	8	03-14-2018 02:19 PM
For Sale - Sold: Sears Film Camera Set w/ Sears 50 1.7, 135 2.8 lens, and accessories (Free Ship)	W.j.christy	Sold Items	2	08-30-2016 02:15 PM
Post sample photos from soft focus filters / how to make permanent soft focus filter.	slackercruster	Photographic Technique	6	07-08-2012 12:19 PM
For Sale - Sold: Sears A 135/2.8 "macro" (manual focus, auto aperture) (Worldwide)	deejjjaaaa	Sold Items	2	05-08-2011 07:45 PM
"Hunger for a DA50-135?" or "The DA50-135 as a bird lens!" or "Iron age birds?"	Douglas_of_Sweden	Post Your Photos!	4	08-13-2008 06:09 AM

05-14-2023, 10:15 PM - 1 Like	#2
seventhdr Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,440	Pentax have the 85mm soft focus lenses. f2.2 and f2.8 in F and FA versions, and a 28mm FA soft focus lens for K-mount cameras. As well as a120mm soft focus lens for the 67 mount. Regards Chris

05-14-2023, 10:45 PM - 1 Like	#3
AstroDave Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 1,637	Take some cheap lens you have and smear some Vaseline (or equivalent) over the front

05-14-2023, 11:18 PM - 2 Likes	#4
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,202	I have the "K" 85mm 2.2 SOFT lens, it produces very dreamy images. Because there is no aperture linkage on the lens (it stops down in real time), it works in Av mode on a modern DSLR.

05-15-2023, 04:11 AM - 2 Likes	#5
garywakeling Moderator Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,759	I have all the soft lenses by Pentax, they have a unique ability to have two images at one, one soft and the other sharp sort of superimposed on each other. FA 28mm Soft FA 85mmSoft

05-15-2023, 08:13 AM - 1 Like	#6
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,593	I've got an EBC Fujinon SF 85mm f/4 in 42-screw fitting that's built for the job … it's got a perforated disc internally which has most effect at full aperture, this effect is combined with a slight (calibrated) defocussing using a separate ring on the lens. I really should use it more, but it seems to have more effect on full-frame (film) rather than APS-C digital.