I've concluded that I can't replace my 50 1.4 with my 17-50 2.8 zoom. There's something about a portrait properly nailed at 1.4 with that lens that can't be replicated with my zoom, regardless of the quality of the light circles either lens produces..or whether the photos even reveal any discs of light. Whether its called Bokeh or it's just some unnamed quality representing the contrast between the focused area and the nice smooth blur, together with the sweet colors, my 50 1.4G is here to stay.
Bokeh Advice
(41 posts) (15 voices)-
Posted 3 years ago #
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Posted 3 years ago #
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I'm with adamz. Your description of bokeh sounds more like DOF studio. Two lens with the same focal length etc. can have very different bokeh. Yes DOF and bokeh are related but they are not the same thing. This thread would probably make more sense if you guys stopped mentioning DOF and stick to bokeh only. Studio the only thing your samples show is that your f2.8 180mm lens is sharper at 180 then your f2.8 80-200 lens at 200.
For the most part telephotos give better bokeh regardless of wider aperture.
For those who aren't already confused here are some more visual samples to confuse you even more :^)
Bokeh Test With Various Lenses
http://www.rickdenney.com/bokeh_test.htmPosted 3 years ago # -
I was sure someone was going to mention this but the real reason for a DOF calculator is to know how much of your image will be IN "perfect" focus. Outside the area is worthless since it depends on the lens.
http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html
Say if you are shooting landscape with a lens at 18mm you want to know where to set the focus distance so that infinity is in focus as well as getting the "near limit" as close as possible to your lens.Posted 2 years ago # -
NikoDoby said:
For those who aren't already confused here are some more visual samples to confuse you even more :^)
Bokeh Test With Various Lenses
http://www.rickdenney.com/bokeh_test.htmNice link niko. I will have to keep my eye out for one of those old nikon E 75-150.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Yes, nice link Niko.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Agreed, nice link.
Posted 2 years ago # -
so one more from me, nice link niko :)
Posted 2 years ago # -
NikoDoby said:
This thread would probably make more sense if you guys stopped mentioning DOF and stick to bokeh only.I think it would have lessened the debate had I not used the term, "bokeh," and instead used the term, "out-of-focus fuzzyness."
NikoDoby said:
IStudio the only thing your samples show is that your f2.8 180mm lens is sharper at 180 then your f2.8 80-200 lens at 200.Yes, the 180mm is sharper. However, I completely disagree that that is the only thing the samples show.
Posted 2 years ago # -
NikoDoby said:
Bokeh Test With Various Lenses
http://www.rickdenney.com/bokeh_test.htmYes, interesting link. Again, I wasn't referring to the "quality" or "character" of various lens' bokeh, which, from your referenced link, shows that they are clearly varied, I was simply referring to their general similarities in magnitude, at similar focal lengths and apertures (of which, only a few examples were presented).
Posted 2 years ago # -
To recap this thread so far:
Two identical focal length lenses used at the same aperture on the same subject will have the same quantity of bokeh, but the quality will vary mainly due to the aperture shape. The longer the focal length used on a subject or the wider the aperture used on any lens, the more pronounced the quantity of bokeh.
Have I missed anything?
Posted 2 years ago # -
spraynpray said:
. . . the quality [of the bokeh] will vary mainly due to the aperture shape.No, not according to the author of the site Niko linked. According to him, diaphragm design has little to do with the character of a lens' bokeh--it's the design of its optics which is the primary determinant.
spraynpray said:
The longer the focal length used on a subject or the wider the aperture used on any lens, the more pronounced the quantity of bokeh.
Have I missed anything?Image sensor size (larger = more fuzzy).
Focal-plane to subject distance (shorter = more fuzzy).
Distance from subject to background (super-far away = more fuzzy).Posted 2 years ago # -
spraynpray said:
Have I missed anything?
Well, apart from those things you mentioned!
Here are three snaps taken with my new 50/1.4. The point is to show the quantity of bokeh at different apertures with the same distances. Taken at f1.4, f5.6 and f16 taken in the wind so not for critique!
Posted 2 years ago # -
nice lens ..:-) which 50 1.4 is this?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Nice photos Spraynpray. I went out to hunt some bokeh with my 50 1.4G. The results at f/1.4, crop sensor:
Posted 2 years ago # -
It's the AF-S 50(G) Hearty.
Looks like you had less wind problems than me Andrew! Nice and sharp.
Posted 2 years ago #
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