In Search Of A Bokeh-less Lens

violini · 09-21-2010, 06:54 PM

I own K-x and K-7. I am looking for a "bokehless" lens, i.e., a lens which has "infinite" depth of field. I would like to hear from the experienced photographers which Pentax lens approaches this ideal.

Bokeh or bocca is due to the defect of a lens system which is unable to focus all the 3-dimensional objects unto a 2-dimensional plane. Many photographers use this defect to isolate the subject from the background. Fortunately, human eyes do not have bokeh. Why can't they make camera lenses like human eyes?

My dog's eyes are like those "Limited" camera lenses with good bokeh; he could not see the rabbit 7' away in the grass, but he could smell it. The dog will see it until the rabbit starts to move.

Last edited by violini; 09-27-2010 at 03:00 PM.

brofkand · 09-21-2010, 06:58 PM

All lenses can have infinite (Or at least, near infinite) depth of field. It's called hyperfocal distance.

This is a combination of aperture and focal range that maximizes depth of field.

Hyperfocal Distance

Eruditass · 09-21-2010, 07:02 PM

The human eye most certainly has bokeh. Close one eye, hold up your finger, and look at it. Pay attention to what is behind your finger. Now look at something behind your finger.

Adam · 09-21-2010, 07:32 PM

20mm lens F22 = hyperfocal distance from ~0.3m to infinity = no bokeh. Done!

The human eye certainly has bokeh. Look at a mountain and hold your finger in front on your eye - it won't be sharp

Adam
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steve1307 · 09-21-2010, 07:49 PM

One of these?

Frazier Lens

I dont think it is available in a K-mount (or Canon/Nikon/Sony/Oly for that matter)

violini · 09-21-2010, 07:52 PM

brofkand, thanks for the link about hyperfocal distance.

The lens in the eye is a soft lens; the muscle can change the focal length instantly. That's why we can see objects near and afar.

Ratmagiclady · 09-21-2010, 07:58 PM

You can always use a pinhole?

rhodopsin · 09-21-2010, 08:09 PM

Originally posted by Ratmagiclady

You can always use a pinhole?

Best answer, in fact, the only correct answer! Well done imho Ratmagiclady!

scorpioh · 09-21-2010, 08:11 PM

A pic w/o bokeh actually looks flat. Bokeh is what emulates that 3D feel on 2D photos.

RolloR · 09-21-2010, 08:25 PM

buy a compact point and shoot, or anything with a tiny sensor. a cellphone perhaps.

stuff that affect DOF:
1. distance from subject
2. aperture of lens
3. focal length*
4. sensor size*

RawheaD · 09-21-2010, 08:28 PM

Originally posted by rhodopsin

Best answer, in fact, the only correct answer! Well done imho Ratmagiclady!

Nope, the OP specifically asked for a bokeh-less lens. A pinhole is most certainly not a lens :-)

**Lowell Goudge** · 09-21-2010, 08:41 PM

What about a fish eye lens?

ManWithCamera · 09-21-2010, 09:23 PM

Just get a point and shoot! One of the best reasons to get a camera with a larger sensor is so that you can get a narrower depth of field and blur the background.

But, if you do want everything in focus, look into hyperfocal distance. Basically, set the camera to manual focus, zoom out to around 18-20mm, set your focus to around 3ft, and set your aperture to between f/16 and f/22. You'll be golden!

**gofour3** · 09-21-2010, 09:37 PM

A fish-eye or ultra wide, like the K15/3.5 at minimum aperature.

Phil.

er1kksen · 09-21-2010, 09:55 PM

Originally posted by RawheaD

Nope, the OP specifically asked for a bokeh-less lens. A pinhole is most certainly not a lens :-)

So use a slightly larger pinhole and place a tiny droplet of water on it.

09-21-2010, 06:54 PM	#1
violini Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Winnipeg MB Photos: Gallery Posts: 350	In Search Of A Bokeh-less Lens I own K-x and K-7. I am looking for a "bokehless" lens, i.e., a lens which has "infinite" depth of field. I would like to hear from the experienced photographers which Pentax lens approaches this ideal. Bokeh or bocca is due to the defect of a lens system which is unable to focus all the 3-dimensional objects unto a 2-dimensional plane. Many photographers use this defect to isolate the subject from the background. Fortunately, human eyes do not have bokeh. Why can't they make camera lenses like human eyes? My dog's eyes are like those "Limited" camera lenses with good bokeh; he could not see the rabbit 7' away in the grass, but he could smell it. The dog will see it until the rabbit starts to move. Last edited by violini; 09-27-2010 at 03:00 PM.

09-21-2010, 07:52 PM	#6
violini Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Winnipeg MB Photos: Gallery Posts: 350 Original Poster	brofkand, thanks for the link about hyperfocal distance. The lens in the eye is a soft lens; the muscle can change the focal length instantly. That's why we can see objects near and afar. Last edited by violini; 09-21-2010 at 07:57 PM.

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09-21-2010, 06:58 PM	#2
brofkand Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 836	All lenses can have infinite (Or at least, near infinite) depth of field. It's called hyperfocal distance. This is a combination of aperture and focal range that maximizes depth of field. Hyperfocal Distance

09-21-2010, 07:02 PM	#3
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	The human eye most certainly has bokeh. Close one eye, hold up your finger, and look at it. Pay attention to what is behind your finger. Now look at something behind your finger.

09-21-2010, 07:32 PM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	20mm lens F22 = hyperfocal distance from ~0.3m to infinity = no bokeh. Done! The human eye certainly has bokeh. Look at a mountain and hold your finger in front on your eye - it won't be sharp Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

09-21-2010, 07:49 PM	#5
steve1307 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,130	One of these? Frazier Lens I dont think it is available in a K-mount (or Canon/Nikon/Sony/Oly for that matter)

09-21-2010, 07:58 PM	#7
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	You can always use a pinhole?

09-21-2010, 08:09 PM	#8
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	Originally posted by Ratmagiclady You can always use a pinhole? Best answer, in fact, the only correct answer! Well done imho Ratmagiclady!

09-21-2010, 08:11 PM	#9
scorpioh Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 182	A pic w/o bokeh actually looks flat. Bokeh is what emulates that 3D feel on 2D photos.

09-21-2010, 08:25 PM	#10
RolloR Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 264	buy a compact point and shoot, or anything with a tiny sensor. a cellphone perhaps. stuff that affect DOF: 1. distance from subject 2. aperture of lens 3. focal length* 4. sensor size*

09-21-2010, 08:28 PM	#11
RawheaD Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: MA, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 831	Originally posted by rhodopsin Best answer, in fact, the only correct answer! Well done imho Ratmagiclady! Nope, the OP specifically asked for a bokeh-less lens. A pinhole is most certainly not a lens :-)

09-21-2010, 08:41 PM	#12
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	What about a fish eye lens?

09-21-2010, 09:23 PM	#13
ManWithCamera Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 87	Just get a point and shoot! One of the best reasons to get a camera with a larger sensor is so that you can get a narrower depth of field and blur the background. But, if you do want everything in focus, look into hyperfocal distance. Basically, set the camera to manual focus, zoom out to around 18-20mm, set your focus to around 3ft, and set your aperture to between f/16 and f/22. You'll be golden!

09-21-2010, 09:37 PM	#14
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092	A fish-eye or ultra wide, like the K15/3.5 at minimum aperature. Phil.

09-21-2010, 09:55 PM	#15
er1kksen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Forestville, NY Photos: Albums Posts: 1,801	Originally posted by RawheaD Nope, the OP specifically asked for a bokeh-less lens. A pinhole is most certainly not a lens :-) So use a slightly larger pinhole and place a tiny droplet of water on it.