[phoebus]

Does that mean that old lens designs that produce harsh bokeh were over corrected? Sounds strange.

Interesting info here about the design of bokeh optics.

Understanding Bokeh | B&H Explora

I just think it means that the DFA* 50 is a cleverer design than it is getting credit for: silly sharp from 1.4 with a flat field, but creamy bokeh transitions to the OOF areas... ...though I may be biased having bought one on day one, the results are generally noticeably better on all occasions than the F50 1.4 I used previously. And maybe a tad better than the delightful FA77 too... plus weather sealed and silent.

[normhead]

If you want smooth bokeh....



K-1 and F 70-210 ar 210mm and f-5.6.

K-3 and DA 18-135, ƒ8



K-1 and DA 55 at 55mm at ƒ2.


The round christmas tree lights in the back ground are definitely round, because they are circles of confusion, and circles of confusion are round. Take your simple magnifying glass out and produce a circle of confusion on the side walk. The circle of confusion will have sharp well defined edges. The only thing that might soften them up bit that I know of would be chromatic aberration. So it could be argued the DA 50 1.4 is smoother in the brighter out of focus areas would be it's notedly high CA values wide open. But the trade off with higher CA is less resolution.

K-1 and DA* 55 1.4 ƒ1.4


So yes all these things are subjective. But folks need to be aware that it's a sliding scale. You aren't just getting something, you're also losing something.

Just comparing the FA 50 macro and the new DFA 1.4, the DFA 50 1.4 has really good bokeh, but the FA 50 macro is sharper on the edges.gI'm not saying you need to apologize for liking one or the other. But you do need to realize, you're making a trade off. As above, looking at the F 70-210 image, the smoothest bokeh is from the softest lens.

The person shooting the 50 macro is saying "I prefer consistent edge to edge flat plane performance more than smooth out of focus areas."
The guys shooting the DFA*50 1.4 are saying, I prefer smooth out of focus rendering to consistent edge to edge performance.

The strength of the DFA 50 1.4 is it goes all in on the trade off. For smooth out of focus areas it's as good as it gets. And it's classic Pentax design like the 31 and 77. The FA 50 macro will remain the best edge to edge lens, although the edge resolution means the bokeh will get real sloppy really quick. People are going to pick a point on the sliding scale that suits them. Or buy all of them. Every individual lens defines a unique set of trade offs. None are the best for every purpose. But it might be the best set of compromises for the shot you're taking today.

Even with the DFA 50 1.4, better for you doesn't mean better for everyone.

It's sad that those who compare these lenses don't have comparative images to make their point. There are some somewhere posted on the forum, and the difference between the out of focus rendering of the DFA* 50 1.4 and DA* 55 1.4 was clear, but minimal. I studied those images carefully before opting for the DA*55 1.4. For some the little bit of extra smoothness is easily worth an extra $500, for others, not worth an extra dollar. The other advantages of the DA*55 , weight, volume of camera bag occupied and cost make it an un-appealing choice for the marginally better out of focus areas IMHO. The DA*55 is darn good, just not the absolute best at anything. But a very good and well thought out set of compromises.

Some people are going to prefer it.
It didn't get it's DA* designation by accident.

[UlrichSchiegg]

If you want smooth bokeh ...

[Ben-G]

If you want smooth bokeh ...

very beatiful !!!
Wich lens and camera have you used?

---------- Post added 04-03-19 at 12:41 AM ----------

very beatiful !!!
Wich lens and camera have you used?

[errata corrige: 'which']

[UlrichSchiegg]

very beatiful !!!
Wich lens and camera have you used?

---------- post added 04-03-19 at 12:41 am ----------



[errata corrige: 'which']

kp, dfa* 50

[normhead]

If you want smooth bokeh ...

There is a noticeable advantage to the DFA* 50 1.4, always has been. The question is, is it worth $500, double the weight and size in the camera bag to you?

[UlrichSchiegg]

There is a noticeable advantage to the DFA* 50 1.4, always has been. The question is, is it worth $500, double the weight and size in the camera bag to you?

For myself, a clear yes. For others, not my call. If I need leightweight, I use the 43mm.

[normhead]

For myself, a clear yes. For others, not my call. If I need leightweight, I use the 43mm.

For a guy like myself, who gets images no one else gets lugging my gear to places no one else goes, probably not. My Sigma 8-16 is a great lens, but it often gets left home even when it might be needed. Just not enough room in the camera bag.

A lens like that requires commitment to use on the part of the purchaser. That being done, it produces stellar images. That can be your niche. It's special enough you could commit to that and a few other lenses.

But, you certainly aren't locked out of the smooth bokeh genre just because you don't have one. You might have to work a little harder though.
K-1 and 100 macro. But you're simply not going to match those transitions. Those are unique among the lenses I've seen. The image you posted being a case in point. Soft feathery out of focus features that are dreamy in character.

[UlrichSchiegg]

Nice image.

[gaweidert]

If you want smooth bokeh ...

Quit giving me reasons to want a lens that I don't need?

Great image.

[Rondec]

Macro shots almost always have smooth bokeh. Just the act of focusing in to the max seems to blur everything out. It can be a nice effect in certain situations.



But the question is more of how out of focus backgrounds look with portraiture type framing.

DA *55 at f1.4



and f2.8 for good measure.



FA 77 at f2.5

[thibs]

The FA77 IS a lot smoother thanks DA*55 IMO. (Not that the DA* is ugly, certainly not).
Are those APS or FF ?

[Rondec]

The FA77 IS a lot smoother thanks DA*55 IMO. (Not that the DA* is ugly, certainly not).
Are those APS or FF ?

First two full frame, second two APS-C.

[Ben-G]

The smc fa77mm ltd seems to be better than others in terms of bokeh , better tonalities graduation too...IMHO

[Wheatfield]

The FA77 IS a lot smoother thanks DA*55 IMO. (Not that the DA* is ugly, certainly not).
Are those APS or FF ?

I never really liked the bokeh of the 55/1.4