Testing a Darlot petzval lens for portraiture on 10×8 film. The lens is fixed aperture (which I’ve calculated as f4) and most likely from a magic lantern projector. It has a distinctive sweet spot of sharpness and then falls off dramatically which is a characteristic of this lens brand. The vignetting in the bottom corners is from the opening of the Sinar shutter which is smaller than the rear element of the lens. I think using this on 10×8 is pushing it a bit far and I will try it on 5×7 next. I like the results but it’s a shame the family group shot has so little in focus. You can’t learn these things without testing. Thanks to everyone who stopped for a portrait. I enjoyed our conversation.

[Tech info:] Sinar 10×8, Jamin Darlot, Paris lens, FP4 (very expired) film, developed in HC110 1+31.