The only soft focus lens that made it into my 'keep for your own use' part of collection. 

The Kodak soft focus portrait lens offers a very nice pictorial look, with a very subtle soft focus effect if you shoot it wide open at F4.5. If stopped down it will become tack sharp, almost like a Heliar or Tessar.

Its comparable to the Hermagis Eidoscop to some degree, but even more subtle and (what really made me use it) its very light and compact, especially compared the Eidoscop or other soft focus lenses. The best comparison would be the Graf Variable lens, which on the other hand is even more rare and offers some other features.


It is a really impressive piece. The focal lenght is 305mm (or 12") and the image circle is BIG here. As long as i remember it was advertised to cover 8x10, but it will cover up to 10x12.


The condition of this specimen is quite nice. The lens is in absolute 100% working condition: the aperture mooves smoothly forth and back. The glass is in an good condition, showing not even cleaning marks, there is no fungus, haze or any chips there. The image on the groundglass is outstanding.




The lens comes with a fitting flange (outer dimension is 105mm) which can be used to be screwed behind the lensboard as a retaining ring, or mounted with screws on the lensboard.





height: 7cm
width: 10cm
weight: 800gr

Insured and tracked shipping cost:

Germany - 10 eur
EU* - 25 eur
Worldwide - 60 eur

*(the site offers only 2 shipping variations, DE and worldwide. buyers from EU please either contact me beforehand for a reduced EU cost, or after buying so i can send a refund over the difference)

Importent Note: This item comes from my private collection and is around 100 years old (antique). I try my best to describe all the faults and major damage which are relevant for the function of this item. But the actuall item can show signs of wear and also some cosmetic blemishes/damage which is not described in the auction text! When buying this item the buyer agrees to this terms.