Topic: The best bokeh lenses (Read 22584 times)

goldfinger · « **on:** October 11, 2015, 03:46:02 pm »

There is a brand new ranking ...

http://www.bokeh-masters.com/?lang=en

kers · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2015, 04:40:52 pm »

I like it that they ask you to compare images without knowing what lens is used; however; I simply cannot compare the bokeh of a 85mm with 50mm lens...

Doug Peterson · « **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2015, 06:35:55 pm »

LOL

A list of best bokeh lenses without medium format.

pfigen · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2015, 08:54:57 pm »

Why are you laughing so hard. Number 3 on the list is a medium format Schneider 150.

BernardLanguillier · « **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2015, 01:05:53 am »

Hum... the absence of the Nikon 200mm f2.0 from the top 5 makes me question the credibility of the approach, or at least its current maturity. I believe that the same could be said about its Canon equivalent.

Besides, btwn the Otus 85mm f1.4 and the Nikon 85mm f1.4 AF-S, my personal vote goes to the Nikon bokehwise after having shot extensively with both.

Cheers,
Bernard

Petrus · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2015, 02:44:13 am »

And where are the Nikkor Bokeh Specialist DC 105mm and 135mm f/2 portrait lenses? Old designs but still available.

Also the splendid new Nikkor 58mm f/1.4 is missing.

razrblck · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2015, 04:39:43 am »

Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E, but no 50mm AI-S? Nor the 50mm 1.2. Was this test made with whatever they found at a local shop?

synn · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2015, 05:07:19 am »

An objective test of a subjective topic with limited access to lenses.
Next.

NancyP · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2015, 10:42:12 am »

Methodology matters!

Part two of the process favors commonly used lenses. The public was invited to bring "favorite-bokeh" lenses to photo a set-up scene at a photo fair. Images were presumably processed identically by the contest master, given random-digit names, then uploaded onto the bokeh-ranking site. Visitors to the bokeh-ranking website were served up a random selection of different image pairs to rank.

It is pretty obvious that the process favors more popular lenses with "good" bokeh. A pairing would likely include a common lens with "good" bokeh vs. another common lens with "good" or "ok" bokeh. Outstanding lenses would rise to the top, but "good" lenses would likely be represented in proportion to their prevalence in the photo fair attendee population. I think that most amateur photographers would not have consistency in fine discrimination of bokeh of two similar lenses.

razrblck · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2015, 11:15:59 am »

The most beautiful bokeh* 2015.

* Of lenses that people brought to that particular photo fair.

armand · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2015, 10:55:22 pm »

I find it funny that the Fujifilm 56 mm 1.2 APD is rated worse than the nonAPD version when the only purpose of the APD was to improve the bokeh.

qwz · « **Reply #11 on:** October 15, 2015, 11:50:29 pm »

Where is Minolta/Sony STF?
Where is Minolta 85s including Limited?
Where is Medium format like Zeiss 2/110?

Dustbak · « **Reply #12 on:** October 18, 2015, 11:53:46 am »

I miss the Nikon 200/2.0 too but also the 58/1.4 which is specifically made for just that its OOF areas....

Some Guy · « **Reply #13 on:** October 18, 2015, 01:39:30 pm »

I wonder about the Otus 85mm being #1. I've gathered some saying it is way too sharp and the bokeh is sharply defined as well and not dreamy or airy. So Zeiss recently came along with the 85mm f/1.4 Milvus line which supposedly has smoother bokeh than the sharper Otus version.

Surprised that 300mm f/4 Nikon PF Fresnel thing isn't in the list, but maybe too new like the Milvus. I tried one and first time I ever said "So that is bokeh?" I don't see it that much less than 100mm.

Nothing like a strong telephoto to make bokeh scream.

SG

Telecaster · « **Reply #14 on:** October 18, 2015, 04:43:57 pm »

Quote from: goldfinger on October 11, 2015, 03:46:02 pm

http://www.bokeh-masters.com/?lang=en

IMO stuff like this (not the presentation per se but the ranking) is silly. An unnecessary attempt at tastemaking. You can't really know the OOF characteristics of a lens without using it over time in a variety of situations. And then what you like is up to you…"good bokeh" is subjective.

-Dave-

BernardLanguillier · « **Reply #15 on:** October 18, 2015, 08:26:45 pm »

Quote from: Some Guy on October 18, 2015, 01:39:30 pm

I wonder about the Otus 85mm being #1. I've gathered some saying it is way too sharp and the bokeh is sharply defined as well and not dreamy or airy.

Yep, the bokeh of the Otus 85mm f1.4 sucks...

This being said, the Nikon 85mm f1.4 may be even worse.

Life is really tough, we hardly have any usable lens to mount on Nikon bodies... not to mention the colors generated by the D810. It should be considered as a B&W camera at best (and even the greys are questionable).

Cheers,
Bernard

Bart_van_der_Wolf · « **Reply #16 on:** October 19, 2015, 03:18:21 am »

Quote from: BernardLanguillier on October 18, 2015, 08:26:45 pm

Yep, the bokeh of the Otus 85mm f1.4 sucks...

Hi Bernard,

While I agree with your (tongue in cheek) response, I wouldn't call the bokeh of the OTUS as setting a standard either.

All your fine examples look nice, but they show a bokeh that I'd describe as a tiny bit busy, rather than creamy, which seems to be the goal for pleasing bokeh. This example clearly hints at what is causing it.

Looking at the left-hand side of the image, some verticals look much more in focus than their surroundings. On the right-hand side there is a hint of double contours, but barely noticeable. To get rid of that, one needs to design an optics that is under-corrected for specific aberration, which the Otus obviously isn't. The design goal for the OTUS is almost uncompromised correction, even wide open, not smooth bokeh (although it's not that bad either, it's symmetrical and uniform disk like in shape and intensity).

The difficulty with a smooth bokeh design is that it only exists on one side of the focus plane, and produces unnatural looking donut shaped defocused highlights and double contours at the other side.

Given that, I'm not too unpleased with the OTUS' bokeh, but it is (by design) also not the best there is, if smooth and creamy is the goal.

Cheers,
Bart

synn · « **Reply #17 on:** October 19, 2015, 04:00:08 am »

I don't really shoot images that are 10% detail and 90% bokeh anymore, but the old ZF.2 mount Zeiss 50 1.4 had a much creamier, smoother bokeh than either of the Otii. Couldn't care less what its MTF chart looked like.

Had one as an extended loan. Gave it back with a heart slightly heavier than a trifecta of Otii.

BernardLanguillier · « **Reply #18 on:** October 19, 2015, 07:08:40 am »

Quote from: synn on October 19, 2015, 04:00:08 am

I don't really shoot images that are 10% detail and 90% bokeh anymore, but the old ZF.2 mount Zeiss 50 1.4 had a much creamier, smoother bokeh than either of the Otii. Couldn't care less what its MTF chart looked like.

Well, the appreciation of what bokeh is nice is extremely subjective. I fail to see the point of discussing what is in the end just preference.

Cheers,
Bernard

AreBee · « **Reply #19 on:** October 19, 2015, 08:22:38 am »

synn,

Quote

Had one as an extended loan. Gave it back with a heart slightly heavier than a trifecta of Otii.

A heavy heart indeed. Chin up.

Author Topic: The best bokeh lenses (Read 22584 times)