Jeffrey Higa wrote:
I currently own a Rebel G and am starting to take a lot of protrait
shots of people using either my 100mm EF (old style) Macro or my 28-135
IS. I always mount the camera to an old Vivitar bracket and use
available light with a 380 EX flash + Sto-Fen Onmi bounce for fill.
I've been trying a variety of soft-focus filters and have been
dissatisfied with the results (I'm also tired of buying those filters).
I remember reading on the list that there is a Rebel body (the II?) that
has a soft focus option, and I am also looking at the 135 f2.8
soft-focus lens. Anybody have any direct comparison experience between
to the two and prefer one over the other?
I'll probably upgrade bodies within the next 3 months or so (the dot com
I work for is still alive so I figure I better buy when I still have a
salary), so the lens might be a better option, but I'm open to getting
another body to use for portraits if the II(?) is worth it.
_______________________________________________________________________
Jeffrey,
I can save you some money. You can do 2 things. The easiest is to buy
some netting/mesh at a local fabric store (also Wal-Mart). The tighter
the net, the softer the image. Stretch it evenly across the front of your
lens and put a rubber band around the outside of the lens to hold it in
place.
Remember, no creases in the front or you'll get uneven softness. This
works great and will run you about 50 cents.
Option #2: Get a plain UV. Tkae clear or white nail polish.
Place drops symmetrically on the filter and let dry. The more drops and
the tighter the pattern the softer the image. This is a poor man's
Zeiss Softar which is essence is concave dots on glass. If you don't
believe me try it and save yourself $200. Cost for this is about $7.
I also use soft color dots for effect. To change dots, just take nail
polish remover and clean the filter. Acetone does not effect the coating
of any lens or filter.
Peter K
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