Which prime has Best Bokeh?

sagar · 12-30-2008, 09:37 AM

Continuing my which lense series,which prime (standard or limited) has best bokeh?

PS:
Sorry for probably very basic questions, but I came in here from Nikon World and trying to learn things from scratch

séamuis · 12-30-2008, 09:45 AM

there are so many good Pentax primes its hard to say. this is also a quite opinionated question which will likely lend itself to all sorts of different answers. including many non pentax lenses such as the Russian lenses, voigtlander's, zeiss', etc. plus all that may or may not change when the new DA* 55mm 1.4 hits the street.

Finn · 12-30-2008, 10:13 AM

I haven't used every lens in Pentax's lineup, but my favorites have been the FA Limiteds (31, 43, and 77) and the Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4, which is an old M42 screwmount lens.

Totally smooth, although any lens will give jittery bokeh in some situations.

squarerigger · 12-30-2008, 10:15 AM - **1 Like**

Seems to always be the one I have not yet purchased.

Wheatfield · 12-30-2008, 10:39 AM

Originally posted by sagar

Continuing my which lense series,which prime (standard or limited) has best bokeh?

PS:
Sorry for probably very basic questions, but I came in here from Nikon World and trying to learn things from scratch

From what I've seen of what is available now, the 77 LTD is probably the best, but the 31 might well be a tie (or even slightly better).
However, so far I have not seen a better lens overall (bokeh included) than the A*85/1.4.

platinum · 12-30-2008, 10:43 AM

if you find in the m42 world you can find a jupiter-9 85mm f2 (no autofocus, of course).

lovable bokeh...!

mer · 12-30-2008, 10:50 AM

I agree that the A* 85mm F/1.4 has superb bokeh . Also the 200mm Macro has some superb bokeh . Currently , I think the 50mm F/2.8 macro DFA has the really really good bokeh ( smoothest / technically correct ) .

But then again u don't always need the most technically correct bokeh ( which is good if the background is nature ) but its not THAT good for other conditions such christmas lights or indoors ( my humble opinion of course ) where sometimes a ring on the bokeh is a pleasing thing .

thePiRaTE!! · 12-30-2008, 11:12 AM

Along with the suggestions here, also see -

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31244-bokeh-ma...ggestions.html

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/13248-voigtl-n...-thoughts.html

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31601-takumar-club.html

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/27739-m-club.html

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31353-off-brand-club.html

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/36041-zeiss-zk...-thoughts.html

My candidate for favourite:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/20336-voigtlan...-4-nokton.html

Kelly.

Buddha Jones · 12-30-2008, 11:59 AM

There isnt a best, but there def are some worsts!

georgweb · 12-30-2008, 12:10 PM

Sagar,

I guess you are asking for something to start off with on a Pentax DSLR. A safe bet is an old manual lens for two reasons: Classic, slower speed lens designs often deliver smoother bokeh. And, old preset lenses have more aperture blades, which again is nice for smoother bokeh.

The easiest would be to have a look at the Helios 44M.... Goes for around 10,- US-dollars (let it be twenty) and has some nice old-school biotar bokeh.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/29995-old-syle...4-2-bokeh.html

Here's some more suggestions regarding mainly macro bokeh,
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31244-bokeh-ma...ggestions.html

Voe's 50 comparison, a real test:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31897-comparin...us-lenses.html

Praise the Sonnar - another bokeh test:
Bokeh Test

Incredible: Jonas' thread asking for bokeh samples and here's the last listing of all lenses,
"Admirable" blur samples - FM Forums

If any of you have some photos to post here as examples, that'd be great!

The mole's vision: 55/1.2 on K100D (OK bokeh in my eyes)

All the best for next year, Georg (the other)

Sebbe_J · 12-30-2008, 12:19 PM

I just love the bokeh of my A 50/1.7, very creamy, mmm

jsherman999 · 12-30-2008, 12:22 PM

.

From the same lens, George!

I love the bokeh from the 77ltd and the Takumar 50 1.4's and 55 1.8's the best, probably.

.

séamuis · 12-30-2008, 12:40 PM

Originally posted by jsherman999

I love the bokeh from the 77ltd and the Takumar 50 1.4's and 55 1.8's the best, probably.

hey, hey! go 55. god I love those lenses.

stevebrot · 12-30-2008, 01:10 PM

I have limited experience (no money for LBA), but can second the motion regarding the Jupiter 9 85/2. It produces lovely images with extremely smooth bokeh. Usage is ponderous at best and the price new has edged onto the high side, but it is still a gem.

Steve

Syb · 12-30-2008, 01:24 PM

I found my favourite bokeh with the FA*85/1.4. The FA50/1.4 gives great bokeh, too, I should say.

12-30-2008, 09:37 AM	#1
sagar Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Tampa Posts: 136	Which prime has Best Bokeh? Continuing my which lense series,which prime (standard or limited) has best bokeh? PS: Sorry for probably very basic questions, but I came in here from Nikon World and trying to learn things from scratch

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12-30-2008, 09:45 AM	#2
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	there are so many good Pentax primes its hard to say. this is also a quite opinionated question which will likely lend itself to all sorts of different answers. including many non pentax lenses such as the Russian lenses, voigtlander's, zeiss', etc. plus all that may or may not change when the new DA* 55mm 1.4 hits the street.

12-30-2008, 10:13 AM	#3
Finn Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,056	I haven't used every lens in Pentax's lineup, but my favorites have been the FA Limiteds (31, 43, and 77) and the Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4, which is an old M42 screwmount lens. Totally smooth, although any lens will give jittery bokeh in some situations.

12-30-2008, 10:15 AM - 1 Like	#4
squarerigger Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: James City County, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 322	Seems to always be the one I have not yet purchased.

12-30-2008, 10:39 AM	#5
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by sagar Continuing my which lense series,which prime (standard or limited) has best bokeh? PS: Sorry for probably very basic questions, but I came in here from Nikon World and trying to learn things from scratch From what I've seen of what is available now, the 77 LTD is probably the best, but the 31 might well be a tie (or even slightly better). However, so far I have not seen a better lens overall (bokeh included) than the A*85/1.4.

12-30-2008, 10:43 AM	#6
platinum Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 269	if you find in the m42 world you can find a jupiter-9 85mm f2 (no autofocus, of course). lovable bokeh...!

12-30-2008, 10:50 AM	#7
mer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greece Posts: 237	I agree that the A* 85mm F/1.4 has superb bokeh . Also the 200mm Macro has some superb bokeh . Currently , I think the 50mm F/2.8 macro DFA has the really really good bokeh ( smoothest / technically correct ) . But then again u don't always need the most technically correct bokeh ( which is good if the background is nature ) but its not THAT good for other conditions such christmas lights or indoors ( my humble opinion of course ) where sometimes a ring on the bokeh is a pleasing thing .

12-30-2008, 11:12 AM	#8
thePiRaTE!! Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Calgary, AB Photos: Gallery Posts: 942	Along with the suggestions here, also see - https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31244-bokeh-ma...ggestions.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/13248-voigtl-n...-thoughts.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31601-takumar-club.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/27739-m-club.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31353-off-brand-club.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/36041-zeiss-zk...-thoughts.html My candidate for favourite: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/20336-voigtlan...-4-nokton.html Kelly.

12-30-2008, 11:59 AM	#9
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	There isnt a best, but there def are some worsts!

12-30-2008, 12:10 PM	#10
georgweb Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Berlin, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,386	Sagar, I guess you are asking for something to start off with on a Pentax DSLR. A safe bet is an old manual lens for two reasons: Classic, slower speed lens designs often deliver smoother bokeh. And, old preset lenses have more aperture blades, which again is nice for smoother bokeh. The easiest would be to have a look at the Helios 44M.... Goes for around 10,- US-dollars (let it be twenty) and has some nice old-school biotar bokeh. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/29995-old-syle...4-2-bokeh.html Here's some more suggestions regarding mainly macro bokeh, https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31244-bokeh-ma...ggestions.html Voe's 50 comparison, a real test: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31897-comparin...us-lenses.html Praise the Sonnar - another bokeh test: Bokeh Test Incredible: Jonas' thread asking for bokeh samples and here's the last listing of all lenses, "Admirable" blur samples - FM Forums If any of you have some photos to post here as examples, that'd be great! The mole's vision: 55/1.2 on K100D (OK bokeh in my eyes) All the best for next year, Georg (the other)

12-30-2008, 12:19 PM	#11
Sebbe_J Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Växjö Photos: Gallery Posts: 127	I just love the bokeh of my A 50/1.7, very creamy, mmm

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12-30-2008, 12:22 PM	#12
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	. From the same lens, George! I love the bokeh from the 77ltd and the Takumar 50 1.4's and 55 1.8's the best, probably. .

12-30-2008, 12:40 PM	#13
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Originally posted by jsherman999 I love the bokeh from the 77ltd and the Takumar 50 1.4's and 55 1.8's the best, probably. hey, hey! go 55. god I love those lenses.

12-30-2008, 01:10 PM	#14
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	I have limited experience (no money for LBA), but can second the motion regarding the Jupiter 9 85/2. It produces lovely images with extremely smooth bokeh. Usage is ponderous at best and the price new has edged onto the high side, but it is still a gem. Steve

12-30-2008, 01:24 PM	#15
Syb Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Near Utrecht, Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,221	I found my favourite bokeh with the FA*85/1.4. The FA50/1.4 gives great bokeh, too, I should say.