Bokeh Comparison


Status
Not open for further replies.
STF is similar with DC lens in Nikon right ?

I think STF lens from Sony is :
- Sony 135 mm f/2.8 [T4.5] STF (SAL-135F28)
DC lens fron Nikon is :
- Nikon 105 mm f/2D AF DC
- Nikon 135 mm f/2D AF DC

STF = Smooth Transition Focus
DC = Defocus Control
And I admit that Bokeh quality from both STF and DC lenses are very good. Those lenses like Creamy Machine.

Some lens has biggest aperture until f/1.2, although other brands only f/1.4 with the same focal length, but having ½ stop brighter at the widest opening doesn’t mean improving the Bokeh quality right ?
 

Last edited:
The reason I create this thread in the Newbies Corner because I saw there were many questions about portrait lens and I try to open mind that shooting at big aperture doesn't mean that you can get high quality Bokeh.

May seniors here recommend a "Bokeh King" lens which cost <= S$1000 ?


Based on my 2 cents experience, I recommend Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM :)

Just buy a new lens, not 2nd, to minimize the risk of getting bad copy.
 

Last edited:
The reason I create this thread in the Newbies Corner because I saw there were many questions about portrait lens and I try to open mind that shooting at big aperture doesn't mean that you can get high quality Bokeh.

May seniors here recommend a "Bokeh King" lens which cost <= S$1000 ?


Based on my 2 cents experience, I recommend Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM :)

Just buy a new lens, not 2nd, to minimize the risk of getting bad copy.


hehe.. bro.. u like this bokeh?

4130204984_7b0373b427_o.jpg
 

Wow !

Both eyes are sharp.
The background is totally blur.

:thumbsup:
 

For me, I would prefer to see bokeh comparison using out of focus highlights to see how smooth the bokeh is, coz some of the samples dun show that... A sample would be this snapshot I took, haha!

tk1a.jpg


Some of the best quality bokeh lens I have seen online(but not tried as I am too poor to afford them) would be the Minolta/Sony 135mm F2.8 STF and the Nikon 105mm/135mm F2D DC lens.
 

STF is similar with DC lens in Nikon right ?

I think STF lens from Sony is :
- Sony 135 mm f/2.8 [T4.5] STF (SAL-135F28)
DC lens fron Nikon is :
- Nikon 105 mm f/2D AF DC
- Nikon 135 mm f/2D AF DC

STF = Smooth Transition Focus
DC = Defocus Control
And I admit that Bokeh quality from both STF and DC lenses are very good. Those lenses like Creamy Machine.

Some lens has biggest aperture until f/1.2, although other brands only f/1.4 with the same focal length, but having ½ stop brighter at the widest opening doesn&#8217;t mean improving the Bokeh quality right ?
I think they are still quite different, the DC lens seem to be closer to the soft focus type
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikk...-af-135mm-f2-d-dc-review--test-report?start=2
as the object will blur at 5.6, whereas STF have apodization element which only help to smoothen the background blur, and the object in focus will not show any blur.
http://www.photozone.de/sony-alpha-aps-c-lens-tests/390-sony_135_28?start=1
 

Last edited:
For me the best setup for best bokeh for portrait will be D700 w 85f1.4 135f.2DC or 70-200. They quite remarkable result though they arent cheap but a must have for portrait work. DX crop lose out in bokeh, but not as bad either.
 

http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikk...-af-135mm-f2-d-dc-review--test-report?start=2
Vs.
http://www.photozone.de/sony-alpha-aps-c-lens-tests/390-sony_135_28?start=1

I read review of 135 f/2 DC, on this Setting :
f/2 R=5.6 (rear blur)
f/2 F=5.6 (front blur)

Looks like that options effects image quality a lot, the main object becomes soft. :cry:

Looks like STF (smooth transition focus) is a better technology than DC (defocus control) ?
 

Some lens has biggest aperture until f/1.2, although other brands only f/1.4 with the same focal length, but having ½ stop brighter at the widest opening doesn’t mean improving the Bokeh quality right ?

i cannot think of any single litmus test for appreciation of bokeh, with heck alot of personal taste, and of course individuals clamoring about their own products. but i do agree most of the lenses cited are great creamy lenses

the 85f1.2 looks great to me http://www.flickr.com/photos/phohe/3144553140/

even the nikon 85mm at f2 looks amazing http://www.flickr.com/photos/waitingforsophie/3837344418/

happy bokeying ..

ryan
 

i cannot think of any single litmus test for appreciation of bokeh, with heck alot of personal taste, and of course individuals clamoring about their own products. but i do agree most of the lenses cited are great creamy lenses

the 85f1.2 looks great to me http://www.flickr.com/photos/phohe/3144553140/

even the nikon 85mm at f2 looks amazing http://www.flickr.com/photos/waitingforsophie/3837344418/

happy bokeying ..

ryan


I am a bit surprise that although shooting at f2, it can create nice a bokeh (1.5 stop darker than f1.2) :think:

Yeah I am agree, with heck a lot of personal taste. Some people already be happy with f/1.8, some others are willing to spend thousand of dollars to buy f/1.2 or f/1.4 to achieve their personal satisfaction with the bokeh !
 

http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikk...-af-135mm-f2-d-dc-review--test-report?start=2
Vs.
http://www.photozone.de/sony-alpha-aps-c-lens-tests/390-sony_135_28?start=1

I read review of 135 f/2 DC, on this Setting :
f/2 R=5.6 (rear blur)
f/2 F=5.6 (front blur)

Looks like that options effects image quality a lot, the main object becomes soft. :cry:

Looks like STF (smooth transition focus) is a better technology than DC (defocus control) ?

DC lenses are not soft focus lenses... if set the DC to go pass (DC f number bigger than aperture f number) the aperture, it would become a soft focus lens (but only effective on f2 wide open, DC set to more than f2)...
 

Status
Not open for further replies.