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Best for bokeh?


NZDavid

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Keen to hear which lens you find best for minimizing background distraction and producing the most pleasing bokeh.

 

I just used my X1 for some snaps at a country fete. Hmm, not bad, but I would have preferred more OOF backgrounds. That's tricky with a smaller sensor camera and a WA lens. Especially in super bright light, even at 100 ISO with max shutter speed to gain the widest aperture. Small-sensor digi compacts are worse in this regard, though of course great if you want to max DOF.

 

By comparison, the 35 'cron ASPH in combination with a (full-sensor) film M still produces a nice OOF background. My ancient 50 Summicron Rigid still produces excellent images with nice, creamy bokeh, great contrast and color.

 

The various 90s, by dint of their longer focal length also produce lovely defocussed backgrounds.

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Recent pic showing bokeh using 50mm f.95 noctilux asph

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75mm Summilux

50mm Noctilux (E58 f/1, early version)

 

and, if you go wider:

35mm Summicron (8 element 1st version, but not so good at high ISO)

 

in my opinion, the Mandler lenses have the best bokeh... the newer ones are sharp, yes, but somewhat harsh (like the one on the X1).

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I like the bokeh on my 50 cron, but I love the bokeh on my 0.95 Noctilux.

The new noctilux is not for every taste, the DOF falloff is remarkably sharp, but like in the photo above it can give impressive results.

 

I had a canon 0.95 mounted for my M8, it had interesting bokeh. There is a flickr site for the Canon, check it out. But like the modern Noctilux, it's a big lens. I don't mind carrying the Noctilux.

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JWW, that's an exquisite shot, thanks for posting. The Nocti has plenty of character, but I agree even the older Leitz lenses are worth trying out, way back to the Summar, though not for critical resolution. Old versus new 50s are also interesting to compare.

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The Noctilux martini shot makes one wonder "Where's 007 and his white dinner jacket?" - nice photo. I don't own the Noctilux, so my personal favorites for creamy bokeh are the 75mm Summilux and the 35mm Summicron IV. The OOF backgrounds with the 75 'Lux are simply a thing of beauty.

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I don't know what' s best.

 

Just have a look. 50mm:

 

Summilux asph f/2:

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Summilux pre-asph f/2

 

 

Summicron (version II -"rigid)" f/2

 

1.5/5cm Summarit f/2

 

 

Summar f/2

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75/73mm

 

Summicron ApoAsph f/2

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Hektor 7,3cm f/1.9

 

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90mm

 

Summicron ApoAsph f/4

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Elmarit (1. Version) f/4

 

 

 

Elmar (3 elements) f/4

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35mm

 

 

3.5/3.5cm Elmar f/3.5

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3.5/3.5cm Summaron f/3.5

 

 

2.8/3.5.cm Summaron f/3.4

 

 

1.4/35mm Summilux asph (1. version) f/3.4

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Wide open:

 

 

5cm Summarit f/1.5

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50mm Summilux f/1.4

 

 

50 Summilux asph f/1.4

 

 

75 Summicron AA f/2

 

 

90 Summicron AA f/2

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35mm Summilux asph (1. version), f1.4:

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UliWer, that's quite a selection of shots! Such a difference in color rendition among lenses is fascinating. As you would expect, older ones may have less contrast, but as for which is "better", that's entirely subjective. Which film/camera combination?

 

Worth studying these images in detail when I have some more time.

 

Adli, thanks too for the Steve Huff link.

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For me, the 75 Lux easily takes the prize.

 

Here's one of mine. I know it's a tad blown, but it shows the qualities of the 75 Lux well.

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