55mm and 85mm harsh bokeh?

shaolen · 03-29-2016, 11:37 AM

It has always seemed to me that the DA* FA* 55 and 85 have pretty harsh looking bokeh. When I compare photos to the FA 50mm 1.4 it looks much creamier. Wondering if its just me or if anyone else has made this observation?

Na Horuk · 03-29-2016, 11:40 AM

You have specific photos to compare? Both 55mm and 85mm are more telephoto and should give relatively shallower DoF and bigger bokeh blur at same aperture. But yes, lens designs can make bokeh appear very smooth or jittery, harsh, soft - really depends on many factors. Problem is that many things affect bokeh - background distance, subject/focus distance, the background itself and how it is lit, the aperture choice (well, aperture blades)..

I'm asking for samples because, like you, I would be a little surprised if 85mm f1.4 would be harsher than 50mm f1.4.

**UncleVanya** · 03-29-2016, 02:13 PM

View image in gallery

There is more than one 85 f/1.4 for Pentax - which one do you mean? I always found the A* 85 f/1.4 to be a creamy wonderful joy in that department.

**clackers** · 03-29-2016, 03:21 PM

Originally posted by shaolen

It has always seemed to me that the DA* FA* 55 and 85 have pretty harsh looking bokeh. When I compare photos to the FA 50mm 1.4 it looks much creamier.

Seems unlikely ... show us your shots, Shaolen.

**kiwi_jono** · 03-29-2016, 06:30 PM

It depends a lot on the scene (and of course aperture). For example some lenses render less out of focus areas more harshly than others where as most big aperture lenses render areas a long way out of focus pretty well.

I don't have a Pentax 85 but of my FA35 f2, FA50 f1.4, DA70 f2.4, Samyang 85 f1.4:
* My 85 does a pretty good job with bokeh in most conditions (except for some significant bokeh fringing in some conditions). It has the advantage of being capable of very shallow depth of field (well limited by minimum focussing distance anyway).
* My DA70 also does a good job with bokeh and has no major vices.
* My FA50 is sometimes a bit harsh wide open (unless background way OOF). Where as at f2 its a lot cleaner bokeh IMO.
* My FA35 can sometimes has an edgy bokeh. Its better with close focus and distant OOF.

03-29-2016, 11:37 AM	#1
shaolen Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 1,047	55mm and 85mm harsh bokeh? It has always seemed to me that the DA* FA* 55 and 85 have pretty harsh looking bokeh. When I compare photos to the FA 50mm 1.4 it looks much creamier. Wondering if its just me or if anyone else has made this observation?

03-29-2016, 11:40 AM	#2
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	You have specific photos to compare? Both 55mm and 85mm are more telephoto and should give relatively shallower DoF and bigger bokeh blur at same aperture. But yes, lens designs can make bokeh appear very smooth or jittery, harsh, soft - really depends on many factors. Problem is that many things affect bokeh - background distance, subject/focus distance, the background itself and how it is lit, the aperture choice (well, aperture blades).. I'm asking for samples because, like you, I would be a little surprised if 85mm f1.4 would be harsher than 50mm f1.4. Last edited by Na Horuk; 03-29-2016 at 01:37 PM.

03-29-2016, 02:13 PM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,453	View image in gallery View image in gallery View image in gallery There is more than one 85 f/1.4 for Pentax - which one do you mean? I always found the A* 85 f/1.4 to be a creamy wonderful joy in that department.

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03-29-2016, 03:21 PM	#4
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by shaolen It has always seemed to me that the DA* FA* 55 and 85 have pretty harsh looking bokeh. When I compare photos to the FA 50mm 1.4 it looks much creamier. Seems unlikely ... show us your shots, Shaolen.

03-29-2016, 06:30 PM	#5
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	It depends a lot on the scene (and of course aperture). For example some lenses render less out of focus areas more harshly than others where as most big aperture lenses render areas a long way out of focus pretty well. I don't have a Pentax 85 but of my FA35 f2, FA50 f1.4, DA70 f2.4, Samyang 85 f1.4: * My 85 does a pretty good job with bokeh in most conditions (except for some significant bokeh fringing in some conditions). It has the advantage of being capable of very shallow depth of field (well limited by minimum focussing distance anyway). * My DA70 also does a good job with bokeh and has no major vices. * My FA50 is sometimes a bit harsh wide open (unless background way OOF). Where as at f2 its a lot cleaner bokeh IMO. * My FA35 can sometimes has an edgy bokeh. Its better with close focus and distant OOF.