That's interesting - I have the DA70 as well so will probably try to do some comparison of bokeh etc. I also have the Pentax K 105mm, so probably a hopeless case of LBA.

I've fashioned a hood for the VPK lens from a black plastic container (originally a mixed herb refill from Morrisons) - the top was drilled out to fit the barrel of the lens and the tube cut down to about 4 cm in length (tube diameter is ca, 5.4cm). I was unsure as to the optimal length of the hood - I've read elsewhere that a hood length equivalent to the focal length is best. A more satisfying arrangement might be made using a reversed threaded metal filter cap which would enable a Pentax hood to be attached as well as providing a means of attaching any filters for experimentation.

The original metal mount of the VPK lens has a threaded tube to the rear with a nut which was used to attach the lens to the bellows in the original camera. I simply made a hole in a spare body cap and attched the lens using the original nut. The pentax K helicoid can be difficult to find but there are a lot of generic m42 helicoids (from China) on ebay - can't vouch for the quality of these.
Some helpful links:
link
link

The Pentax K 85/2.2 soft lens has a similar fomula to the VPK meniscus lens - doublet ( 2 elements in 1 group) and from the pictures I've seen gives a similar glow, presumably though with better colour correction and contrast.
It might be interesting to see what effect a circular polariser in front of the VPK lens might have.

Rowdy

Found one

Thanks,
I have the Takumar version but would like to replace with the K, although I suspect the focusing might be smoother on the Takumar.

I'm interested in getting one of these - rather rare on ebay.

The meniscus lens from the Kodak Vest Pocket folding cameras (ca. 1912-26) is known to give a soft focus effect when wide open (due to SA). As originally mounted on the Kodak there was a screw-in mask to limit the aperture to a max of ca. f11; removal of this mask gives a max aperture of ca. 6.8. Intrigued by the results found by others with this lens (just do a Google search on VPK meniscus) I've done a few test shots with one mounted on a Helicoid using a *istDS. The pentax K Helicoid gives sufficient movement for focusing without needing additional extension tubes. The min focusing distance is ca. 10in.
These shots (originally in RAW) have minimal processing - no sharpening just slight exposure adjustment in photoshop.




Wide open, ca. f6.8









Closed down, ca. f8, it sharpens up well

Now sold

As part of a clearout I have for sale an adaptall 2 PKA mount. I've used this on a *ist DS with the Tamron SP 90 2.8 macro and found a problem in that on the AE setting the aperture info is not displayed in the viewfinder, although the lens is still metered correctly. I gather this is a fairly common problem. I haven't opened it up to check the connections. I have another PKA adapter which does show the aperture info.

Comes complete with original front and rear caps.

£20 inclusive of P&P