Flyfisher Tom
Well-known
Gabriel,
That is why I said that comparing across focal lengths is a bit unfair. All things being equal, a longer lens is always going to have a greater OOF effect than shorter ones. For instance, I think that the Canon 50/1.4 (EF) is one of the best bokeh lenses ever. But I also think that the 70-200/2.8 gives even more dramatic OOF effect and bokeh. Does that mean that the 70-200 actually trumps the 50? I don't think so. They should be judged within their focal length class.
More importantly, they need to be judged under the same subject and testing conditions.
I believe within the 50mm class, the Canon 1.5 has very pleasing bokeh. I agree that those two shots you've selected aren't the best samples of bokeh. And here is where the fine print is ... would similar 50mms have fared better? That is always the trouble with bokeh comparisons, usually there are no controls for similar subjects and similar lighting conditions. For instance, I see a lot of bokeh tests where the tester has selected trees with tons of leaves in the background. Come on, who are we kidding, no lens does well with that background 😛
Or cases where there are an inordinate amount of circular pinpoint lights in the background. Or parallel line patterns .... etc. etc.
The only way to know for sure is to test each lens under the same controls 🙂 Just haven't seen any comprehensive test. So the best I can say is, I like the Canon 1.5 within the 50 class.
And within the 35mm class, I'd rank the lux-asph and cron-asph highest. But this is like asking what a woman's objective beauty is ... to every man (or woman) there is only a subjective answer 😀
That is why I said that comparing across focal lengths is a bit unfair. All things being equal, a longer lens is always going to have a greater OOF effect than shorter ones. For instance, I think that the Canon 50/1.4 (EF) is one of the best bokeh lenses ever. But I also think that the 70-200/2.8 gives even more dramatic OOF effect and bokeh. Does that mean that the 70-200 actually trumps the 50? I don't think so. They should be judged within their focal length class.
More importantly, they need to be judged under the same subject and testing conditions.
I believe within the 50mm class, the Canon 1.5 has very pleasing bokeh. I agree that those two shots you've selected aren't the best samples of bokeh. And here is where the fine print is ... would similar 50mms have fared better? That is always the trouble with bokeh comparisons, usually there are no controls for similar subjects and similar lighting conditions. For instance, I see a lot of bokeh tests where the tester has selected trees with tons of leaves in the background. Come on, who are we kidding, no lens does well with that background 😛
Or cases where there are an inordinate amount of circular pinpoint lights in the background. Or parallel line patterns .... etc. etc.
The only way to know for sure is to test each lens under the same controls 🙂 Just haven't seen any comprehensive test. So the best I can say is, I like the Canon 1.5 within the 50 class.
And within the 35mm class, I'd rank the lux-asph and cron-asph highest. But this is like asking what a woman's objective beauty is ... to every man (or woman) there is only a subjective answer 😀
gabrielma said:
