I shot this version first w/the Kodak Portrait lens, and since the set-up was already there, and the Kodak and Velostigmat are roughly the same focal length, and I wouldn't have to move the camera, I slapped on the Velostigmat II. 

For some reason, I honestly expected to be disappointed by what I thought the Velostigmat was going to do in comparison to the Kodak, and was startled and then excited by what I saw after I slapped on the Velo.  Both lenses 'takin care of business', made this a good shoot.

Both lenses handle what is a very difficult set-up for a soft focus lens beautifully, although looking at these shots, I know folks will have a preference.  You like it softer, that's the way the Velostigmat II rendered it, you like it 'crisp', 'clearer', or 'sharper' or whatever you want to call the difference, you'll get turned on by the Kodak Portrait.  Me.........I'm glad I've got 'em both.

What is absolutely incredible is the difference in cost between these two lenses and a couple of my other 'big ticket' lenses.   Both lenses are 1/4 and 1/5 the cost of my most expensive SF glass, and there's a greater difference in price than there is in the quality of the look between these lenses and the Verito/Struss/Semi-Achromatics/Visual Quality et al.

Having said all this, seeing what the Kodak Portrait would do was what got me to shooting this, and so to the folks who're interested in what the Kodak can do, I think this shows how a Semi-Achromatic rig w/just the right kind of coating can make a shot 'talk'.  

There's absolutely no mush ANYWHERE in this shot, it's crisp, clear, and sparkles.