Idle thoughts on over-use of shallow DOF with fast lenses wide open

The control that comes from subject isolation with shallow depth of field requires enormous thought sometimes. This is the value of SLRs and tripods and polaroid backs in the in the old days. Is it too isolated, needing a stop more depth of field? What is the bokeh like with that background? What's that only slightly out of focus thing there, can we get rid of that? I saw this recently in a fine presentation of family heirlooms. The bits that were out of focus but clearly part of the subject were incredibly distracting.

And then there's the macro photos where all the above is amplified. And the sharp detail of so many macro photographs hovers close to banal nearly always. No mystery. Or just a lame composition.

There are days when photography can seem altogether too hard. But a standard lens at f5.6 will get you out of lots of scrapes.
 
The problem with SLRs is that the out of focus areas look totally different on the focusing screen than on the final image. I think mirrorless is the closest to the final image you can get (I don’t use mirrorless cameras).
 
mfunnell said:
... I think I got myself "in trouble" as it were. If I followed my natural inclinations when taking this photo, I'd have stopped my lens (a Canon 50mm/F1.4 in LTM) down to about f2.8 or more likely f4.
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If we're only going pursue the middle apertures, why buy larger, heavier, costlier high-speed lenses in the first place? ;) My guess is that we've been effectively sold on the message that faster lenses are more "premium-quality".
 
That is the technic of today, perhaps yesterday already.
As soon as cameras will have the possibility to register the depth of the subject, the lenses must not be large for a shallow DOF.
Think of the Lytro Illum with an f/2 zoom lens 28 to 250mm EQ. Or try the iPhone app PopPic.
 
Most lenses are best two F-Stops down from maximum. Vignetting decreases, images are generally sharper. Fast lenses tend to be more complex designs. For example- a Summicron stopped down to F4 is better than an Elmar at F4.

 
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Sonnar Brian said:
Most lenses are best two F-Stops down from maximum.
JeffS7444 said:
If we're only going pursue the middle apertures, why buy larger, heavier, costlier high-speed lenses in the first place? ;) My guess is that we've been effectively sold on the message that faster lenses are more "premium-quality".
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

I've often wondered about, having recently bought a Carl Zeiss Jena 4/20mm to play with. After an accident last year, haven't had the chance yet to compare it my Takumar 24mm at f/4.
 
Rather than trying to analyze what the OP's shot could have been, I'm looking at it for what it is. The guy sipping coffee (or whatever he's drinking) is clearly the subject, but I have no issue with the focus point being on the cup and the OOF renderings add to the story. I won't get into the weeds as others have, but I do like the shot.

I use the largest apertures on my fast lenses with mixed results (it's always "experimental"). What is it there for after all?

L1001834BW copy.jpg
Leica M10-P
CV 40mm Nokton f/1.2 - wide open
 
Sonnar Brian said:
Most lenses are best two F-Stops down from maximum. Vignetting decreases, images are generally sharper. Fast lenses tend to be more complex designs. For example- a Summicron stopped down to F4 is better than an Elmar at F4.

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From what publication is this review?
 
jankap said:
That is the technic of today, perhaps yesterday already.
As soon as cameras will have the possibility to register the depth of the subject, the lenses must not be large for a shallow DOF.
Think of the Lytro Illum with an f/2 zoom lens 28 to 250mm EQ. Or try the iPhone app PopPic.
Click to expand...

I think the iPhone app is just a good algorithm. Light field technology seems to be stuck at the moment. Didn’t google buy lytro? It was just for the technology I guess…
 
OK, good algorithm. But film is a more than 100 years old idea, and the sensor is a film substitute only, as it is now. The smartphones build the winning team now.
I use the Lytro often: stereo, AF, zoom, etc. Items I don't have with my fp and my ancient lenses. For the small number of export pixels of the Lytro I use TOPAZ.
 
gelatin silver print (summilux 50mm f1.4 v1 black 1704XXX) leica mp (lens wide open)

The focal plane of the lens is clearly curved.

Amsterdam, 2019

Erik.

1695636006016.png
 
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