Melbournian wide open bokeh comparison.

nulla · 10-31-2009, 06:17 PM

Thanks for this Voe.. its very interesting.

Neil

**interested_observer** · 11-01-2009, 01:50 AM

The colors and the various bokeh are interesting. I still have not decided which one I like best, as there are several of interest for various reasons. The Pentax lenses are certainly no slouch. I do like the sunglasses though!

Interesting thread....

Voe · 12-05-2009, 05:08 AM

My new Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.4 arrived yesterday. So here is the same bokeh test:

bc_the_path · 12-05-2009, 02:06 PM

An interesting and helpful thread.
Your informal study is really valuable within its declared limits.
Among the ones you've submitted so far, my definite favorite for a pleasing bokeh is the Pentax FA 31mm Ltd.

Class A · 12-07-2009, 08:35 PM

Very interesting series, thank you!

Is it just me? I think the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 is very impressive.

ramair455 · 12-07-2009, 11:24 PM

Originally posted by Class A

Very interesting series, thank you!

Is it just me? I think the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 is very impressive.

I was just thinking the same thing....

wallyb · 12-07-2009, 11:54 PM

The 31ltd and Sigma 50 look the best to me... the Leica actually looks really busy and unappealing.

photogerald · 12-08-2009, 03:14 AM

Voe - thanks for putting this together. I found it to be a very interesting comparison. The Topcor 1.8 jumps out at me for the sharpness of the subject and very smooth bokeh. Also the contrast and colours are very nice, but we shouldn't read too much into this as these photos were taken on different days.

The Sigma 1.4 is also great, but I think I like the Topcor better.

The FA31 Ltd deserves mention as I can see its special rendering here, however it appears that focus here was on the statue's nose, and it might've delivered better results had the focus been on the eyes.

As for the K50/1.2, that bokeh is just something else! If that's the effect you need, then it's the only lens here that can deliver that.

I think the Volna-9 also looks very nice, but the f2.8 makes it harder to compare with the others.

Alfisti · 12-08-2009, 09:14 AM

Gotta say, the Sigma does a heck of a job.

Class A · 12-08-2009, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by photogerald

The FA31 Ltd deserves mention as I can see its special rendering here, however it appears that focus here was on the statue's nose, and it might've delivered better results had the focus been on the eyes.

Yes, I thought that too. Compared to the others the image looks front-focused and a comparable focus point would probably have resulted in a more impressive image.

Too bad, that the K50/1.2 shot has yet another focus plane. Makes it harder to compare.

While one can still compare the background bokeh, I think feature of a lens is how well it separates the subject from the background. For this the relative sharpness/contrast is important but can only be compared if the same focus point is used consistently.

This is not to criticise your effort, Voe, on the contrary it is fantastic to see your series. Just an explanation as to why the FA 31mm shot may not look as good as it might have.

nulla · 12-08-2009, 04:26 PM

Voe.

hope you dont mind... here are a couple taken wide open with my FA43 ltd

Voe · 12-08-2009, 06:39 PM

Thanks for posting these nulla. This is what this thread is all about. I would love to see more photos from other Melbournians here

roentarre · 12-08-2009, 09:41 PM

Originally posted by Class A

Very interesting series, thank you!

Is it just me? I think the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 is very impressive.

It is consensus that sigma 50 producing the best bokeh. But when it comes to an opinion, there is a tendacy to go for an undesirable choice just to be different

Class A · 12-08-2009, 09:59 PM

Originally posted by roentarre

But when it comes to an opinion, there is a tendency to go for an undesirable choice just to be different

Is that what Pentax means with "Be different", make an undesirable choice?

heliphoto · 12-08-2009, 10:51 PM

Hey Voe... shouldn't there be a sample from the F50/1.7?

12-05-2009, 05:08 AM	#18
Voe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 719 Original Poster	Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.4 My new Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.4 arrived yesterday. So here is the same bokeh test:

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10-31-2009, 06:17 PM	#16
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	Thanks for this Voe.. its very interesting. Neil

11-01-2009, 01:50 AM	#17
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	The colors and the various bokeh are interesting. I still have not decided which one I like best, as there are several of interest for various reasons. The Pentax lenses are certainly no slouch. I do like the sunglasses though! Interesting thread....

12-05-2009, 02:06 PM	#19
bc_the_path Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ankara, Turkey Photos: Gallery Posts: 401	An interesting and helpful thread. Your informal study is really valuable within its declared limits. Among the ones you've submitted so far, my definite favorite for a pleasing bokeh is the Pentax FA 31mm Ltd.

12-07-2009, 08:35 PM	#20
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Very interesting series, thank you! Is it just me? I think the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 is very impressive.

12-07-2009, 11:24 PM	#21
ramair455 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Okc Photos: Gallery Posts: 284	Originally posted by Class A Very interesting series, thank you! Is it just me? I think the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 is very impressive. I was just thinking the same thing....

12-07-2009, 11:54 PM	#22
wallyb Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Untied States Photos: Albums Posts: 1,881	The 31ltd and Sigma 50 look the best to me... the Leica actually looks really busy and unappealing.

12-08-2009, 03:14 AM	#23
photogerald Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 253	Voe - thanks for putting this together. I found it to be a very interesting comparison. The Topcor 1.8 jumps out at me for the sharpness of the subject and very smooth bokeh. Also the contrast and colours are very nice, but we shouldn't read too much into this as these photos were taken on different days. The Sigma 1.4 is also great, but I think I like the Topcor better. The FA31 Ltd deserves mention as I can see its special rendering here, however it appears that focus here was on the statue's nose, and it might've delivered better results had the focus been on the eyes. As for the K50/1.2, that bokeh is just something else! If that's the effect you need, then it's the only lens here that can deliver that. I think the Volna-9 also looks very nice, but the f2.8 makes it harder to compare with the others.

12-08-2009, 09:14 AM	#24
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	Gotta say, the Sigma does a heck of a job.

12-08-2009, 02:27 PM	#25
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by photogerald The FA31 Ltd deserves mention as I can see its special rendering here, however it appears that focus here was on the statue's nose, and it might've delivered better results had the focus been on the eyes. Yes, I thought that too. Compared to the others the image looks front-focused and a comparable focus point would probably have resulted in a more impressive image. Too bad, that the K50/1.2 shot has yet another focus plane. Makes it harder to compare. While one can still compare the background bokeh, I think feature of a lens is how well it separates the subject from the background. For this the relative sharpness/contrast is important but can only be compared if the same focus point is used consistently. This is not to criticise your effort, Voe, on the contrary it is fantastic to see your series. Just an explanation as to why the FA 31mm shot may not look as good as it might have.

12-08-2009, 04:26 PM	#26
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	Voe. hope you dont mind... here are a couple taken wide open with my FA43 ltd

12-08-2009, 06:39 PM	#27
Voe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 719 Original Poster	Thanks for posting these nulla. This is what this thread is all about. I would love to see more photos from other Melbournians here

12-08-2009, 09:41 PM	#28
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Originally posted by Class A Very interesting series, thank you! Is it just me? I think the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 is very impressive. It is consensus that sigma 50 producing the best bokeh. But when it comes to an opinion, there is a tendacy to go for an undesirable choice just to be different

12-08-2009, 09:59 PM	#29
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by roentarre But when it comes to an opinion, there is a tendency to go for an undesirable choice just to be different Is that what Pentax means with "Be different", make an undesirable choice?

12-08-2009, 10:51 PM	#30
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	Hey Voe... shouldn't there be a sample from the F50/1.7?