X1 bokeh

[Paul Hart]

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I've uploaded a few photos taken with a view to evaluating the way the lens renders OOF areas. If that's of interest, they can be viewed here:

 

Leica X1 Bokeh - a set on Flickr

 

Very subjective, but the bokeh looks smooth and unobtrusive to me. All these were taken at ISO800 (I think) and most were at f2.8 and are uploaded full size.

[ezc203]

Nice set Paul.

 

I agree, I've always enjoyed the way the X1 renders OOF areas.

[wda]

Paul, good examples, however it is worth trying it with people; some in focus in the foreground and groups out of focus in the middle distance. That gives a nice contrast with OOF people just about recognizable.

[Paul Hart]

Paul, good examples, however it is worth trying it with people; some in focus in the foreground and groups out of focus in the middle distance. That gives a nice contrast with OOF people just about recognizable.

 

Fair point - I've added a portrait, not quite what you suggest but it's all I have at the moment!

[Guest malland]

My point of view on this is different: one of the points that I don't like that much on the X1 is the bokeh rendering in all of the the pictures that I've seen at full aperture — nothing near the type of bokeh that the Summicron-35v4 or the Summilux-50 pre-ASPH, both of which I feel have excellent bokeh, although all this is, of course, a matter of taste. Indeed, I much prefer the bokeh of the Ricoh GXR/A12 lens, of which here are a few examples at the maximim f/2.5 aperture:

 

On Black: Washington, DC by Mitch Alland [Large] — ISO 400

On Black: Bangkok by Mitch Alland [Large] — ISO 400

On Black: Paknampran by Mitch Alland [Large] — ISO 200

On Black: Bangkok by Mitch Alland [Large] — ISO 1600

 

—Mitch/Potomac, MD

Tropical Light

[jsrockit]

one of the points that I don't like that much on the X1 is the bokeh rendering in all of the the pictures that I've seen at full aperture — nothing near the type of bokeh that the Summicron-35v4 or the Summilux-50 pre-ASPH, both of which I feel have excellent bokeh

 

You really expected the X1 to have a bokeh equivilent to those when it is slower (f/2.8) and on a smaller sensor camera than any M camera (at a fraction of the price)?

[Guest malland]

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Not really — although I'm not sure that bokeh correlates with price — but the comparison to the GXR/A12, which is almost half the price is not inappropriate despite the difference in focal length.

 

—Mitch/Potomac, MD

Barrier

[jsrockit]

Price doesn't necessarily correlate to a nice bokeh, but my point is that you are comparing a whole camera that costs $2000 vs. lenses that cost more. Additionally, the GXR has a faster 50mm lens which will give you shallower depth of field vs. the 36mm f/2.8 on the X1.

[andym911]

My point of view on this is different: one of the points that I don't like that much on the X1 is the bokeh rendering in all of the the pictures that I've seen at full aperture — nothing near the type of bokeh that the Summicron-35v4 or the Summilux-50 pre-ASPH, both of which I feel have excellent bokeh, although all this is, of course, a matter of taste. Indeed, I much prefer the bokeh of the Ricoh GXR/A12 lens, of which here are a few examples at the maximim f/2.5 aperture:

 

 

—Mitch/Potomac, MD

Tropical Light

 

Mitch

 

with all respect I don't see any pleasing OOF areas in any of those shots.....but each to their own.(am a big fan of the GRD 1 OOF)

The X1 is a terrific camera and lens if used well....the OOF areas however rarely make a bad image good;)

 

andy