Soap Bubble Bokeh

[peterm1]

Sadly, this is an older photo and I do not have a record of which lens I used on this particular occasion. It was shot through my study room window (a little flare is evident) and shows a small courtyard beside the house. The courtyard, being fringed with Chinese Jasmine creeper, is a fine candidate for such shots especially when the sun is behind it.
I suspect that it may have been taken with a Zeiss Triotar 135mm f4. (Or possibly a Zeiss Biotar 58mm f2.) I own both, so it could be either, but I suspect that the Triotar is more likely, mainly because of the size of the bubble bokeh, which was some metres away and seems to exhibit image compression of the sort produced by a longer lens like the Triotar. I do think the bubbles are too large to explain otherwise. And I do not think I have any other lens that would be suitable candidates for this photo.
But if anyone wishes to suggest what other lenses could produce the same kind of bubble bokeh in similar circumstances I would be interested to know (though it may set me off on yet another G.A.S. attack

) In this context the new TT Artisans 75mm f1.5 Biotar copy comes to mind - I certainly am considering it as it seems very well made and is well priced.




https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbi...b_3JPHl2licvQl88QUqV0v1kWGMZViM0Q&__tn__=EH-R

 

[wlewisiii]

Now that I have a Pentax K-5, I have been seriously thinking about either/both the 75/1.5 & 100/2.8 from TTArtisans. Seriously specialized lenses but at the right place and time... MMMMMMM 🙂

 

[peterm1]

Now that I have a Pentax K-5, I have been seriously thinking about either/both the 75/1.5 & 100/2.8 from TTArtisans. Seriously specialized lenses but at the right place and time... MMMMMMM 🙂

Yep they look great. For me though the 75mm f1.5 is THE one. I have been lusting after an original vintage for years but know that getting one at a price I am willing to pay is not likely. 😳

Years ago, before the digital age I went into a camera store and in their "bargain bin" they had a Zeiss 100mm f2.8. It was in passable though hardly mint condition.
I asked the camera guy how much they were asking for it (just out of interest) and he said that I could have it for nothing, just to get rid of the old junk. I had no real use for it really as in the days before mirrorless digital cameras these older Exacta lenses had few champions and even fewer uses and I had no suitable camera to use it on, nor any desire to get one. But even then I was curious about old lenses so I thanked him kindly and took him up on it. It sat in a box for years until (still before mirrorless or even digital cameras) I gave it away to someone. Boy, how I kicked myself later when mirrorless came along! 😱😱

 

[Freakscene]

Any catadioptric/mirror lens will give circular out of focus highlights. But those designs are only really used for long lenses.

 

[wlewisiii]

Yep they look great. For me though the 75mm f1.5 is THE one. I have been lusting after an original vintage for years but know that getting one at a price I am willing to pay is not likely. 😳

Years ago, before the digital age I went into a camera store and in their "bargain bin" they had a Zeiss 100mm f2.8. It was in passable though hardly mint condition.
I asked the camera guy how much they were asking for it (just out of interest) and he said that I could have it for nothing, just to get rid of the old junk. I had no real use for it really as in the days before mirrorless digital cameras these older Exacta lenses had few champions and even fewer uses and I had no suitable camera to use it on, nor any desire to get one. But even then I was curious about old lenses so I thanked him kindly and took him up on it. It sat in a box for years until (still before mirrorless or even digital cameras) I gave it away to someone. Boy, how I kicked myself later! 😱😱

I was originally wanting the 100 but since the 75 was announced I think I'd rather it because it's better on a number of levels, not the least of which is that on APS-C it's a better effective FOV 😉

 

[wlewisiii]

Any catadioptric/mirror lens will give circular out of focus highlights. But those designs are only really used for long lenses.

TTArtisans does make a 250mm version which is amusingly short for that type of lens.

 

[Freakscene]

TTArtisans does make a 250mm version which is amusingly short for that type of lens.

Yes, and it’s tiny. M42 mount makes it highly adaptable, including to Leica M ‘mirrorless’ if you have a live view version. I am curious, but maybe not curious enough. But if I ever went anywhere whre there was a lot of wildlife…maybe.

 

[peterm1]

Yes, and it’s tiny. M42 mount makes it highly adaptable, including to Leica M ‘mirrorless’ if you have a live view version. I am curious, but maybe not curious enough. But if I ever went anywhere whre there was a lot of wildlife…maybe.

I must check it out. I am not familiar with it. 🙂

 

[CP93]

Any catadioptric/mirror lens will give circular out of focus highlights. But those designs are only really used for long lenses.

All the cat lenses I’ve seen create donut bokeh, which I personally find unattractive.

 

[joe bosak]

Meyer Trioplan?

 

[raydm6]

Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan

Review: Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan 50mm 2.8 - phillipreeve.net

ContentsIntroductionSample ImagesSpecificationsVariationsHandlingOptical FeaturesSharpness (infinity)Sharpness (Portrait)Sharpness (Close-up)Lens DistortionVignettingFlare ResistanceChromatic AberrationsComaSunstarsFocus BreathingBokehConclusionAlternativesMore Sample ImagesFurther...

phillipreeve.net

I thought I read somewhere about some Exakta lenses producing this type of bokeh.

 

[peterm1]

All the cat lenses I’ve seen create donut bokeh, which I personally find unattractive.

I am a bit neutral on the subject, personally. I freely admit it IS an odd form of bokeh and while I could not say that I hate it particularly, neither would I seek it out - unlike some other forms of lens which I could be tempted to buy just for its OOF effects.

 

[peterm1]

Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan

Review: Meyer-Optik Görlitz Domiplan 50mm 2.8 - phillipreeve.net

ContentsIntroductionSample ImagesSpecificationsVariationsHandlingOptical FeaturesSharpness (infinity)Sharpness (Portrait)Sharpness (Close-up)Lens DistortionVignettingFlare ResistanceChromatic AberrationsComaSunstarsFocus BreathingBokehConclusionAlternativesMore Sample ImagesFurther...

phillipreeve.net

I thought I read somewhere about some Exakta lenses producing this type of bokeh.

That is true and the Domiplan does produce this kind of bokeh. I actually have one but find it kind of disconcerting to use - it's very flimsy and cheaply made so have hardly used it. I probably should not be so snobbish about such lenses I own as they can still work quite well withing their limits. But then again like some of these European lenses from the lower end of the market it only costs a few bucks so nothing much was lost if it sits unused. I know I did not actually use it for this shot as I have not picked it up and used it for a few years.

 

[peterm1]

Meyer Trioplan?

I reckon any lens with the prefix "Trio...." in its name is a likely contender. 😀 I do not actually own any Meyer Optik Trioplan so I know I did not use that specific lens but I think you are right in saying it could have been used to produce something of this sort, had I owned one.