Swirly TLR bokeh

[espressogeek]

I know this is not particularly a TLR trait but I have noticed that a lot of TLR cameras have the swirly whirling bokeh similar to a Noctilux. I have seen it in a lot of seagull and lubitel pictures and even a few of the recent rolleiflex 2.8FX pictures. Can anyone confirm which rolleiflexes and other TLR's have the most pronounced bokeh of this type?

 

[mhv]

My Yashica D (with Yashikor lens) has a swirlish bokeh when I shoot wide open and the background consists of items like tree branches.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

I have a Yashica 635 TLR that exhibits a "less than pleasing" bokeh...YMMV!

 

[espressogeek]

My Yashica D (with Yashikor lens) has a swirlish bokeh when I shoot wide open and the background consists of items like tree branches.

Can you post some pics?

 

[Pherdinand]

three-element large aperture lenses usually produce those.
Four- or better they don't produce it that strongly.
The novar anastigmat 3-element lens on my super ikonta does the same. See shots ZISI album in my gallery (especially visible in the wide=open snow/branches/terracotta fighters shot)

 

[nksyoon]

Some swirly bokeh with Rolleicord Vb

 

[mhv]

Here's an example for Yashica D with Yashikor 80mm f/3.5. Nothing extreme, but there is some swirl.

I have a Triotar 85mm for my Kiev, given that it's a three-elements, I'll see if it makes swirlies as well.

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

Sometimes, I think that swirly bokeh gives a nice effect on photos, like when taking portraits. But then again, sometimes that just doesn't cut it...





(What great insight I have!) 😱 😀

Edit: I think the swirly bokeh contributes to both of the pictures posted above...

 

[shadowfox]

Sample of NON-swirly bokeh, Yashica Mat 124 yashinon lens (4-elements ??) wide-open (f3.5)

 

[JRJacobs]

It is the three element lenses that typically do the swirly bokeh.

 

[espressogeek]

So if you want a Yashica you must get an older one with the 3 element lens? And for the rollei TLRs, I have seen it in all of them, but would the xenar and tessar produce it the most? I really like the way some of the large format lenses do it but I don't want to tote around a press camera.

 

[MikeL]

I see very little swirly background with my 2.8E Xenotar. I'd almost say none. I did have swirly background on a Hasselblad 80mm Planar CB at 2.8.

Edit: I just looked, and I had a couple foregrounds with the Planar CB where it was noticeable (focus at infinity), but much less so in backgrounds when focused up close.

 

[Mackinaw]

Don't know if I'd classify this as swirly, but I do like the look of this type of bokeh. Mamiya C220 with Mamiya 135mm lens (tessar formula).

 

[espressogeek]

That has a nice swirl to it. I have a C330 that needs a cleaning and advance is spotty. I also have three lenses for it but I don't think I have a 135mm. Maybe getting that thing running would be a good way to go.

Below are some of the examples I have noted lately.
A lubitel, http://flickr.com/photos/onewhiteduck/1302551321/

A seagull, probably my favorite TLR bokeh, http://flickr.com/photos/chachahavana/810325516/ and http://flickr.com/photos/uzzy/503298975/

A Bronica, http://flickr.com/photos/tommyoshima/1609228869/

A Graflex with a triotar, my favorite swirl bokeh ever, http://flickr.com/photos/tommyoshima/1309324273/

I saw a Rollei 2.8FX somewhere that had amazing swirl type bokeh but the seagull seems to be the most pronounced of any TRL that I have seen.

 

[Luddite Frank]

Don't know if I'd classify this as swirly, but I do like the look of this type of bokeh. Mamiya C220 with Mamiya 135mm lens (tessar formula).

Wow. Great pic. I'm really impressed with the texture of the face and costume!

🙂

Luddite Frank

 

[mike kim]

Not extreme, but the only time I got a kinda swirly bokeh with a Rolleiflex 3.5F Planar.

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

I haven't had swirly bokeh on my yashica mat 124g and my yashica 44 lm, not that I'd remember (and I mostly use them aperture wide open). only thing I can recall is a little field of flowers I photographed with my other yashica mat 124 (pseudo G) but then I had the close-up lenses on it, so that might be why. nevertheless, I think in some cases it really adds something to a picture, maybe not always portraits 😀

 

[Sanders McNew]

Sometimes I see this with my
Tele Rolleiflex -- typically when
I am shooting wide-open at f/4
with a close subject against a
busy background, as here:

The lens on a Tele Rolleiflex
is a 135mm Sonnar.

Sanders

 

[ishpop]

Not extreme, but the only time I got a kinda swirly bokeh with a Rolleiflex 3.5F Planar.

wow, this one is fantastique!

 

[Dave R.]

Reviving an old thread here 😀 I have a Yashica Mat LM that makes a nice swirl when shot at 3.5, and to a lesser extent but still slightly noticeable swirl at f/4. It does have the Yashinon Lens, which is supposed to be the better one. Here is a wide open example (f/3.5). I recently got a 124g and I'm wondering if I'll see the same effect wide open?

Swirly Bokeh, Yashica Mat LM wide open f/3.5
83150012 by DL Rohrer, on Flickr