OK, let's throw this one in, as there was some great B&W lately. Capture of this image goes well into the history of lens-making. Petzval was first serious attempt at solving problems of low sensitivity of early photographic processes, especially for photographing people (it was calculated for f3.5). Mine came off an ancient magic lantern projector, and I like results very much. Before someone jump at me for unsharpness of periphery of this image, let me explain, that at Petzval lens speed comes with price of curved plane of sharpness (due to uncorrected spherical aberration and some coma). This means that centre of the image is sharp and sharpness fall apart rather quickly towards corners. It's something one would like or not, and I like it.
165 (or there about) Petzval lens, large format Ilford Delta 100
I guess it looks really good printed on paper - for screen I think I'd like to see the foreground opened up a touch (not much though). The effect from the lens is interesting - it seems to have a similar blurring effect to a lens-baby (it also has a curved plane of focus). You should be able to get some great effects with the lens movements too - although it takes some getting used to for composition! Worth trying out on urban landscapes & buildings too.
Discussion
3 replies165 (or there about) Petzval lens, large format Ilford Delta 100
Cheers,
Marko
Easy to forget that most 'effects' were pre-exposure in the past, compared to post-exposure these days
Not sure if this particular subject is getting the most out of this lens's unusual properties, but it certainly shows its effects
Alan