I’ve finally had the opportunity to take a number of photos, snaps really, with my new lomography deguerrotype lens. The lens is unusual because it is intentionally recreates the imperfections of the original deguerrotype lens. Focus fails at wide aperture, one changes aperture using metal plates which also allow the photographer to control bokeh shape, and the lens is made of brass.
I’ve been shooting to explore the lens, mostly. I’ve learnt the following:
- the lens can’t be used in the rain, or in dusty conditions, etc.; the aperture plate slot is, obviously, not sealed.
- manual focus is best done with no aperture plate. It won’t be perfect because of the nature of the lens, but it will be good enough, particularly in low light. Remember, reducing the aperture by inserting a plate will improve the focus.
- my camera, a Nikon D-300, can get confused by the lens (which gives it no feedback) so get the exposure wrong by +/- 1 or 2. I’ve not worked out how to control that yet.
- one cannot rush the lens, but one can still take good shots.
- there’s a lot to explore with the texture effects of the shaped aperture metal plates.
- I really rather like the soft focus at wide aperture, it provides a very interesting glowing feel, which I suspect is part of the reason lomography decided to recreate the lens.
Each image on this page links to a photoset taken with the lens.
