Kern-Pailard 50mm f1.3 -- An Indoor lens

Megan --NEX-5 & Kern-Bolex 50mm f1.3 Projection Lens. Click to enlarge.

I have grown quite fond of this little lens.  Ultra fast and yet very sharp, all wide open.  In fact, I am not able to make it stop down, yet.  There is too much purple fringing against strong lights for this lens wide open, but I found it to be superb for indoor shots, especially of people.  I have another similar projection lens, the Astro kino Color 50mm f1.5 , but can't seem to locate it.  Would be interesting to compare the two.  On the other end, there is a B&L 120mm f1.9 projection lens I am also trying to make into a lens.  So many toys, so little time :)

Another Sample from Paillard-Bolex 50mm f1.3 Projection Lens

William -- NEX-5 & Paillard-Bolex 50mm f1.3 Projectioin Lens

So I tried taping an aperture disc made from thin black plastic and placed it at the end of the lens.  Didn't seem to affect the depth of field much or affect the image quality much either.  The position of the aperture disc is probably not the right place for aperture control, but unfortunately, it's either in front or at the back of the lens.  Perhaps I shall try it in the front instead, like the Sima 100mm f2 soft focus lens.

Kern-Paillard 50mm f1.3 Projection Lens -- Another Sample

Took a few more pictures with the Kern-Paillard 50mm f1.3 projection lens.  Unfortunately the lens is not perfectly centered and therefore one side is a bit blurry on the edge.  But, it's amazing sharpness is incredible. Be sure to check out the 100% crop of the picture below.

Water Fountain -- Kern-Paillard 50mm f1.3 Projection Lens & NEX-5. See below for 100% crop.

100% crop from above picture. You can even make out textures on the brown water wheel. click for larger picture.

Kern-Paillard 50mm f1.3 Projection Lens

After making my own NEX Focusing Helicoid, I dug out some projection lenses I have collected and tried them on.  The Kern-Paillard 50mm f1.3 projection lens stood out and struck me with its sharpness wide open.  Like most short projection lenses, this one has a very short lens to film plane distance, making it almost impossible to be used on most DSLRs.  I was able to make a lens out of it using the helicoid I made, but even with the NEX, the lens is very close to the sensor.  Of course, projection lenses do not have apertures.  I took a few shots around the house and I am very impressed with the lens.  It's bitingly sharp at full aperture.  I can't imagine how much sharp the lens will be by stopping down just a little.  Unfortunately, I will probably never be able to find out.  Even as the way it is, this lens can make some wonderful images.  I am sure I will use it more in the future.

Megan -- NEX-5 & Kern-Paillard 50mm f1.3 @ f1.3. Click for larger picture.

Bokeh -- NEX-5 & Kern-Paillard 50mm f1.3 @ f1.3. Click for larger picture.