The Spencer Port-Land Soft Focus lens is linked to the Pictorialist movement of the early 20th century. It was one of the lenses that took me the longest to find and acquire.
The Spencer Port-Land lenses help me create unique and emotional images. The Verito soft-focus lens has a similar look, and I like it for different reasons. I use both the Verito and the Port-Land and frequently use both of them for the same scene, later picking which one resonates with me the most.
I own the 6-inch (which is very hard to find), 9-inch, and 11 1/2-inch versions of this fantastic Pictorialist lens. They make 15 inch and 18 inch versions, but they are hard to find and rarely available. They cover 11×14 and 14×17 respectively, making them every more valuable. I will hopefully own them as well one day.
The 6-inch version can be mounted directly on my Series B or on the Graflex RB Series D 4×5 large-format SLR camera.
The 9-inch version is currently being used on my Press 5×7 SLR camera and my Series D. The 6-inch focal length is too short for the Press 5×7, a physical limitation of the camera’s design.
The 9-inch version of this lens has a flange mounting diameter of 65mm, so it works on my Series D 4×5 and the Press 5×7. It will cover whole plate size wide open at infinity or a slight vignette on 8×10, which is a desired effect in my work.
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My Spencer Port-Land 6-inch F4.5 Lens
My Spencer Port-Land 9-inch F4.5 Lens
My Spencer Port-Land 11 1/2″ F5.6 Lens
The Spencer Port-Land Soft Focus Lens: History and Optical Design
Introduction
The Spencer Port-Land soft focus lens is a notable piece of photographic equipment from the early 20th century, revered for its unique ability to produce dreamy, ethereal images. This article explores the history and optical design of the Spencer Port-Land lens, shedding light on its significance in the world of photography and its enduring appeal among vintage lens enthusiasts.
History of the Spencer Port-Land Lens
Origins of Spencer Lens Company
The Spencer Lens Company, founded in Buffalo, New York, in 1895, was initially known for manufacturing microscopes and other scientific optical instruments. As photography grew in popularity and technological advancements made cameras more accessible, Spencer expanded its product line to include photographic lenses. The company’s commitment to precision and quality made its lenses highly sought after.
Development of the Port-Land Lens
The Port-Land lens was introduced in the early 20th century, during a period when the demand for soft-focus lenses was increasing among portrait photographers and pictorialists. Named after its intended use for portrait and landscape photography, the Port-Land lens was designed to produce a distinctive soft-focus effect that could render subjects with a gentle, flattering glow.
Popularity and Usage
The Spencer Port-Land lens quickly gained popularity among photographers who valued its ability to create images with a soft, romantic quality. This effect was particularly appreciated in portrait photography, where the lens’s ability to smooth out imperfections and create a dreamy atmosphere made it an ideal choice. The lens also found favor among pictorialists, who sought to elevate photography to the level of fine art through the use of creative techniques and equipment.
Optical Design of the Spencer Port-Land Lens
Soft Focus Design Principles
The Spencer Port-Land lens is a classic example of a soft focus lens designed to produce images with a unique blend of sharpness and blur. This effect is achieved by deliberately introducing spherical aberrations, which cause light rays to scatter slightly as they pass through the lens elements. The result is a characteristic glow around highlights and a gentle blurring of details, while the overall image remains recognizable and aesthetically pleasing.
Lens Elements and Construction
The Port-Land lens typically features a simple yet effective design, with limited lens elements arranged to create the desired optical effect. The exact configuration can vary, but the general principles include:
- Single Element or Doublet Design: Many soft-focus lenses, including the Port-Land, use a single element or a doublet (two elements cemented together) to achieve the soft-focus effect. This simplicity helps maintain the lens’s characteristic look.
- Spherical Aberration: The lens elements are designed or positioned to introduce a controlled amount of spherical aberration. This aberration is key to creating the soft focus effect, as it diffuses light and softens edges without completely sacrificing sharpness.
Adjustable Soft Focus Control
One of the Spencer Port-Land lens’s notable features is its adjustable soft focus control. Photographers can vary the degree of softness by adjusting the aperture or using a dedicated soft focus ring, if available. This adjustability allows for greater creative flexibility, enabling photographers to tailor the effect to suit different subjects and artistic visions.
Aperture and Depth of Field
The Port-Land lens typically features a relatively wide maximum aperture, often around f/4.5 to f/56. This wide aperture is crucial for achieving the soft focus effect, as it maximizes the spherical aberration and diffuses light more effectively. Additionally, stopping down the aperture allows photographers to increase the depth of field and reduce the soft focus effect, offering greater versatility.
Applications and Impact
Portrait Photography
The Spencer Port-Land lens became a favorite among portrait photographers for its ability to render subjects with a flattering, almost ethereal quality. The soft focus effect smooths out skin tones and imperfections, creating a timeless and romantic look that was highly sought after in the early 20th century and remains appreciated today.
Pictorialism
Pictorialist photographers, who aimed to elevate photography to an art form, also embraced the Port-Land lens. Its ability to produce images with a painterly, impressionistic quality aligned perfectly with the Pictorialist aesthetic. Photographers used the lens to create atmospheric landscapes and expressive portraits transcending mere documentation.
Legacy and Collectibility
Today, the Spencer Port-Land lens is highly prized by collectors and photographers who appreciate its unique optical characteristics and historical significance. Vintage lens enthusiasts seek out the Port-Land for its ability to create distinctive, soft focus images that stand out in the digital age. The lens’s enduring appeal is a testament to its exceptional design and the timeless beauty it can produce.
Conclusion
The Spencer Port-Land soft focus lens is a remarkable piece of photographic history, embodying the artistry and technical innovation of the early 20th century. Its unique optical design, characterized by controlled spherical aberrations and adjustable softness, made it a favorite among portrait photographers and pictorialists. Today, the Port-Land lens continues to inspire photographers with its ability to create dreamy, ethereal images that capture the imagination and evoke a sense of timeless beauty. Whether used for its historical significance or its creative potential, the Spencer Port-Land lens remains a cherished tool in the world of photography.
Spencer Port-Land Example Photos
Daniel Waters shares some really nice soft-focus landscape photos on his Flickr page using the Spencer Port-Land soft-focus lenses on his Graflex SLR cameras. I will share a couple of my favorites below to help give you an idea of what this lens is capable of creating.
