I asked this over on the regular Photo.net Q&A section but it was suggested I post here as well

My grandfather was the Pinkham in Pinkham & Smith. Pinkham & Smith produced large format portrait lenses in the 30's, 40's and 50's. The lenses were rather famous at the time since the design had purposely designed in optical defects to give a soft focus effect while being sharp at the same time.

Unfortunately, while I have a few of the lenses, I have very little information about them as all the records were lost. If anybody has any information about these lenses, in print or otherwise, I'd like to hear it. In fact if you use or used one of these lenses I'd like to see some of the results if possible.

Thanks.

-- Paul Wilson (pauldwilson@ne.mediaone.net), May 12, 1999

Answers

Clayton Classic Cameras in Clayton, MO has either 1 or 2 for sale. He claims that there were only 50 14" soft focus P.-S.'s made. He's on the web, in Shutterbug and View Camera. When you call ask for Paul Mayberry.

-- Sean yates (yatescats@yahoo.com), May 17, 1999.

Kingslake in, "A History of the Photographic Lens" Academic Press 1989. , has a couple of references to the Pinkham and Smith of Boston Portrait lens. There is not much company history sited however... Mike Phifer

-- Mike Phifer (PhiferM@aol.com), August 15, 1999.