Harsh bokeh? DA35mm Ltd

resto · 12-15-2009, 07:48 PM

Hi guys, I'm considering buying the DA35mm Ltd. Did some research and read the photozone review. Is the bokeh, especially in non-macro situation is really that harsh? Really hope to hear some feedbacks from you guys before I make my decision in getting it. =)

Damn Brit · 12-15-2009, 07:55 PM

Bokeh is very subjective so harshness is really up to the individual to decide. You should look at images rather than ask for the opinion of others. If you search this particular forum you'll find plenty of posts with DA35 images uploaded.

resto · 12-15-2009, 08:13 PM

Thanks for the reply. I'm looking for a general feedback on the bokeh. I did a search on the forum, most of the pictures by DA35mm are in macro situation.

deadwolfbones · 12-15-2009, 09:48 PM

I can't say I've ever noticed this, but looking through my shots with the lens I can't find many taken @ f/2.8 that aren't macros.

roentarre · 12-16-2009, 12:13 AM

Fa 35/2 or Fa 35/2.8 macro has its background bokeh neutral at best, sharing similar optical design. Though subjective, most people come to the same conclusion about what a good or bad bokeh is with growing experience over time.

If you cannot see a problem with Fa 35/2 bokeh, enjoy the lens and have a blast with it.

simdavid · 12-16-2009, 12:32 AM

I posted those pics at other site and hopefully it clear your doubts.

1

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11

Lodewijk · 12-16-2009, 01:40 AM

Great photos! But some of them also show why the bokeh is considered "harsh" at non-macro distances, especially #5, which shows the donut shaped blur disks.

Damn Brit · 12-16-2009, 02:03 AM

Originally posted by Lodewijk

Great photos! But some of them also show why the bokeh is considered "harsh" at non-macro distances, especially #5, which shows the donut shaped blur disks.

So, obviously the bokeh is harsh. There's your answer.
Incidentally, there's a thread about three lines down from this one that has some discussion about what you're asking. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/83384-great-3d...5-2-bokeh.html

**Rondec** · 12-16-2009, 04:53 AM

Take a look at J Sherman's "Is the DA 35 the best lens ever?" thread. The DA 35's bokeh can get a little harsh at times, but in general, I really like it. If you want the best bokeh, probably can't beat the 31 (if you have the money for it).

kevinschoenmakers · 12-16-2009, 10:20 AM

The DA35 sometimes produces harsh bokeh, sometimes it doesn't. That's really all there is to say on this topic.

roentarre · 12-16-2009, 02:11 PM

Green colour is what most lenses do well with bokeh.

No distracting elements are there to test the bokeh rendering in the sample shots here.

jsherman999 · 12-16-2009, 05:26 PM

.

It's a 35mm macro lens - not designed with bokeh in mind, like the FA 50 1.4 or FA85 1.4.

I think it has bokeh as good if not better than any sub-50mm lens I've shot with the exception of the FA 31ltd.
The Sigma 28 1.8 also had good bokeh, and I think the 30 1.4 does also, but I haven't shot that one much.

Here are a couple from the DA 35ltd showing some bokeh:

wlachan · 12-16-2009, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by Lodewijk

Great photos! But some of them also show why the bokeh is considered "harsh" at non-macro distances, especially #5, which shows the donut shaped blur disks.

I have never come across any Pentax lens which is free from donut bokeh though some are better than others. Like the M50/1.4 which has less "donut" than the FA43/1.9. Based on the shots that I have take with my EF lenses, I feel they are less prone to donut bokeh, but at the same time less 3D too compares to some Pentax primes I have. That's just my observation however, hardly conclusive because I have yet to do any meaningful test.

12-15-2009, 07:48 PM	#1
resto New Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 2	Harsh bokeh? DA35mm Ltd Hi guys, I'm considering buying the DA35mm Ltd. Did some research and read the photozone review. Is the bokeh, especially in non-macro situation is really that harsh? Really hope to hear some feedbacks from you guys before I make my decision in getting it. =)

12-16-2009, 02:03 AM	#8
Damn Brit Guest	Originally posted by Lodewijk Great photos! But some of them also show why the bokeh is considered "harsh" at non-macro distances, especially #5, which shows the donut shaped blur disks. So, obviously the bokeh is harsh. There's your answer. Incidentally, there's a thread about three lines down from this one that has some discussion about what you're asking. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/83384-great-3d...5-2-bokeh.html Last edited by Damn Brit; 12-16-2009 at 02:09 AM.

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12-15-2009, 07:55 PM	#2
Damn Brit Guest	Bokeh is very subjective so harshness is really up to the individual to decide. You should look at images rather than ask for the opinion of others. If you search this particular forum you'll find plenty of posts with DA35 images uploaded.

12-15-2009, 08:13 PM	#3
resto New Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 2 Original Poster	Thanks for the reply. I'm looking for a general feedback on the bokeh. I did a search on the forum, most of the pictures by DA35mm are in macro situation.

12-15-2009, 09:48 PM	#4
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	I can't say I've ever noticed this, but looking through my shots with the lens I can't find many taken @ f/2.8 that aren't macros.

12-16-2009, 12:13 AM	#5
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Fa 35/2 or Fa 35/2.8 macro has its background bokeh neutral at best, sharing similar optical design. Though subjective, most people come to the same conclusion about what a good or bad bokeh is with growing experience over time. If you cannot see a problem with Fa 35/2 bokeh, enjoy the lens and have a blast with it.

12-16-2009, 12:32 AM	#6
simdavid Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 36	I posted those pics at other site and hopefully it clear your doubts. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12-16-2009, 01:40 AM	#7
Lodewijk Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Texel/Groningen, Netherlands Posts: 41	Great photos! But some of them also show why the bokeh is considered "harsh" at non-macro distances, especially #5, which shows the donut shaped blur disks.

12-16-2009, 04:53 AM	#9
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	Take a look at J Sherman's "Is the DA 35 the best lens ever?" thread. The DA 35's bokeh can get a little harsh at times, but in general, I really like it. If you want the best bokeh, probably can't beat the 31 (if you have the money for it).

12-16-2009, 10:20 AM	#10
kevinschoenmakers Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shanghai Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,509	The DA35 sometimes produces harsh bokeh, sometimes it doesn't. That's really all there is to say on this topic.

12-16-2009, 02:11 PM	#11
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Green colour is what most lenses do well with bokeh. No distracting elements are there to test the bokeh rendering in the sample shots here.

12-16-2009, 05:26 PM	#12
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	. It's a 35mm macro lens - not designed with bokeh in mind, like the FA 50 1.4 or FA85 1.4. I think it has bokeh as good if not better than any sub-50mm lens I've shot with the exception of the FA 31ltd. The Sigma 28 1.8 also had good bokeh, and I think the 30 1.4 does also, but I haven't shot that one much. Here are a couple from the DA 35ltd showing some bokeh:

12-16-2009, 05:33 PM	#13
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Originally posted by Lodewijk Great photos! But some of them also show why the bokeh is considered "harsh" at non-macro distances, especially #5, which shows the donut shaped blur disks. I have never come across any Pentax lens which is free from donut bokeh though some are better than others. Like the M50/1.4 which has less "donut" than the FA43/1.9. Based on the shots that I have take with my EF lenses, I feel they are less prone to donut bokeh, but at the same time less 3D too compares to some Pentax primes I have. That's just my observation however, hardly conclusive because I have yet to do any meaningful test.