The ultimate Bokeh thread; pics please

I don't have a lot of bokeh shots, but I kinda like this one (Canon 50/1.8):

2075387414_69b2b2f255.jpg


And this one, too (Canon 50/1.5):

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Roland, is the beautiful shot above w/ your Canon 50/1.5 keeper?
 
mamiya 6mf + 75mm lens. i really love the bokeh on this lens because it is smooooth. it renders scenes very well in 3d, but doesn't really call attention to its bokeh.

1479590365_513039cfb6_o.jpg



1479590867_cc5ded49e5_o.jpg
 
enoch, those are really sharp, and I agree about the the background. P C, excellent framing and the delicate background works well in this context.

From last pre-asph Summilux 50/1.4 (exposure unrecorded):
1809057755_55602f685d_o.jpg
 
I really like the smoothness from the Mamiya lenses for the MF rangefinders.

Mamiya 7II
80/4 at f4

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Todd
 
That's it, I'm loading up the GW690 with Tmax 100 this weekend and seeing what that lens can do at f3.5. More MF shots!

Here's my contribution for today:
Emma071125-vi.jpg

Zeiss Ikon, 75mm Summilux @ f2, HP5+ in Ilfosol-S

I really love this lens. This is my idea of perfect bokeh - abstract smooth dimensionality without distraction. I'm looking for shots I made with this lens that have point light sources in the background - haven't found any yet - may have to make some.

- John
 
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Roland wants comments

Roland wants comments

Out of focus trees/foliage:

Given what the earlier lenses do to foliage backgrounds (Summitar, Luxon 50/2.0 and my Nikkor 50/1.4), I'll take my 51.9mm DR Summicron or Canon 50/1.4 S.S.C. lenses any day.

Todd.Hanz could take a Holga, replace the "lens" with the bottom from a Coke bottle, load it with 50 year old Verichrome Pan, develop with vitamin pills, stale Starbuck's espresso and the Coke from the bottle he used for a lens, fix in vinegar and wash in pond water and still come up with great photographs.

Gabriel M.A. has great models/subjects for his portraits.

Great work everyone. Keep them coming.
 
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Things I've learned from this thread:
1. We have some really good photographers here
2. There are some really nice images posted here
3. Take care when shooting wide open with trees, woods, forests, etc. as a background

🙂
 
RayPA said:
Things I've learned from this thread:
1. We have some really good photographers here
2. There are some really nice images posted here
3. Take care when shooting wide open with trees, woods, forests, etc. as a background

🙂
Click to expand...

Agree on all counts! In general, busy backgrounds will produce busy bokeh (duh!), but foliage will exacerbate 'bad' bokeh because you often find backlit areas, in relation to the foreground, just beyond the foliage.

I remember in another photo board reading complaints about a particular lens's awful bokeh, when in acutality no lens could have handled the foliage + back-lighting.
 
jja said:
Agree on all counts! In general, busy backgrounds will produce busy bokeh (duh!), but foliage will exacerbate 'bad' bokeh because you often find backlit areas, in relation to the foreground, just beyond the foliage.

I remember in another photo board reading complaints about a particular lens's awful bokeh, when in acutality no lens could have handled the foliage + back-lighting.
Click to expand...

yup! and that's the point. I've seen highly regarded lenses produce some vertigo-inducing bokeh! Tough conditions for shooting wide open.
 
I use light filtered through trees as my usual bokeh test, because there aren't many lenses that handle it well.

I'm getting out of RF territory, but bad bokeh is a real killer in bird photography, since foliage is the norm, not to mention highlights on rippling water, and backlighting isn't too unusual. These are with the Canon FD 600/4.5, which has pretty nice bokeh--

gfinch.jpg


esowl.jpg


hgull.jpg
 
Mackinaw said:
Raid------Is that the old Canon 85mm I sold you a few years back? If so, it's serving you well!

Jim B.
Click to expand...

Jim,
Yes, it is. I cannot bring myself to sell it even though I have many 85mm-90mm lenses. I love how portraits come out with this lens.
 
David Goldfarb said:
I use light filtered through trees as my usual bokeh test, because there aren't many lenses that handle it well.

I'm getting out of RF territory, but bad bokeh is a real killer in bird photography, since foliage is the norm, not to mention highlights on rippling water, and backlighting isn't too unusual. These are with the Canon FD 600/4.5, which has pretty nice bokeh--
Click to expand...

Ahh, birds ...

Which reminds me, my "Bokeh Queen" is the Zuiko 180/2.8, here
wide open:

121358526-L.jpg


Nothing beats a good fast long lens ....

Roland.
 
RayPA said:
Things I've learned from this thread:
1. We have some really good photographers here
2. There are some really nice images posted here
3. Take care when shooting wide open with trees, woods, forests, etc. as a background

🙂
Click to expand...

4. If you want a smooth background, longer focal length and a larger format negative help.
 
Since there has been a decent amount of Minolta Lenses posted ... I'll add to those

Both Wide open

Minolta Rokkor PG MC 58mm 1.2:

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and again the 58mm 1.2:

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Then my the old Rokkor 50mm 1.7 MD:

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