bokeh, is it just this simple.

[davidfig]

I've always thought that good bokeh comes from the quality of the lens glass. But after looking at http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/ef50/ , I am rethinking my purchases. As an example my next lens was going to be the 70-300 DO IS. But it looks like glass is not the only factor. The number of blades are important also. In fact the vunerable 50 1.8 has gone from 6 blades of old to 5 blades now. But the 50 1.4 has 8 blades. In fact all the L lenses, except the real wide zooms have 8 blades.

Is it this simple? Look for 8 blades.

Ok not that simple. But if it has 8 blades it is most likely to be a great lens.

(blade information can be found on the EF lens chart)

Now I need to apply this to Sigma, Tamron, etc.

[schmoelzel]

While the number of aperature blades seems to govern the quality of of the OOF highlights, I think that there are some lenses with fewer blades that also provide what is called 'good' bokeh. It is very subjective.......what to some is total mush, others find 'dreamy' good. Bokeh is a term that describes the quality of the background as opposed to the in-focus subject, not how OOF the background is.............

[ed rader]

probably one of the most mispronounced words in the english language by educated people if you meant vulnerable.

if you meant venerable ...... i sold my 50 1.8 but now realize i need a fast lens for indoor use and will probably get the 50 1.4 because of the speed and the bokeh.

a lot of the indoor stuff i do is animal portraits which the 50 is well-suited for but i also do food shots and a wider prime would be better.

prolly get the 50 tho because of the speed and make due as i believe fewer is better when it comes to lenses.

ed rader

[davidfig]

Yeap! I misspelled venerable, Now I feel vulnerable. ;-)

[ayotnoms]

Yeap! I misspelled venerable, Now I feel vulnerable. ;-)
well at least you didn't misspell lens as lense.

...don't know why that misspelling irks me so much. I'll have to review with my therapist. :lol::lol:

[KevC]

well at least you didn't misspell lens as lense.

...don't know why that misspelling irks me so much. I'll have to review with my therapist. :lol::lol:

Main Entry: lens
Variant: also lense /'lenz/
Function: noun

It actually works, though I don't like it :)

[eastcoast909]

If you can wade through the technical aspects of this, it is a very good detailed description and explanation of "Bokeh" http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/bokeh.shtml

[judyg]

Stupid question (but it fits the thread) how do you pronounce bokeh?

bokee?
bokay?
boke?

[jfrancho]

No. Do a search for posts by rdenney. Here is one with a bokeh test:http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=70691
I've noticed that some lenses (50 1.4 comes to mind) make a smoother transition from areas within DOF to OOF, which can be desirable.

[nitsch]

Is it this simple? Look for 8 blades.

Ok not that simple. But if it has 8 blades it is most likely to be a great lens.

Whilst more blades means a more circular aperture you should note that some lenses have less blades but each blade is curved so it can still achieve a circular aperture so having less blades is not necessarily an indication that the lens will produce poorer bokeh.

In summary, the key to good bokeh is circular aperture, this is what you should be looking for. :D

[lostdoggy]

Ok how many of you out there shoot circular frames. My DRebel is Rectangler and my 35mm is Rectangler. If what you are complaining about is poor quality in the outedge of a lens then all lens will have defect at the outter edge including all L lens, but how much defect is acceptable??? The same wll hold true for Bokeh. So, your point in stating 8 blade is need to get good bokeh is misleading to beginners. Furthermore, i is usually accepted that a lens at it maximum aperature will perform at its worst and also true at the opposite end regardless how many blade is used in making the lens.

[judyg]

Could someone tell me how to pronounce bokeh so I can possibly say it out loud without sounding stupid? ;)

[nitsch]

Ok how many of you out there shoot circular frames. My DRebel is Rectangler and my 35mm is Rectangler. If what you are complaining about is poor quality in the outedge of a lens then all lens will have defect at the outter edge including all L lens, but how much defect is acceptable??? The same wll hold true for Bokeh. So, your point in stating 8 blade is need to get good bokeh is misleading to beginners. Furthermore, i is usually accepted that a lens at it maximum aperature will perform at its worst and also true at the opposite end regardless how many blade is used in making the lens.


Hi lostdoggy, I don't understand your post, what does corner softness and the aperture the lens performs best at have to do with this? Perhaps I am being a bit thick. :confused:

As far as I understand it, Bokeh is a subjective measure of the appearance of the out of focus areas it has nothing to do with any other aspect of a lenses performance.

[nitsch]

Could someone tell me how to pronounce bokeh so I can possibly say it out loud without sounding stupid? ;)

I guess everyone pronounces it differently from what I have seen but I've always thought that it was like OKAY but with a B.

But I'm probably wrong! :oops: LOL! :lol: :D

[drisley]

well at least you didn't misspell lens as lense.

...don't know why that misspelling irks me so much. I'll have to review with my therapist. :lol::lol:
I am the exact same way. Whenever I see somebody spell "lens" incorrectly, I get agitated.

[drisley]

Bokeh is pronounced "135/2L". ;)

[Adam Hicks]

Well the blades make is smooth and pretty, but really you want a long lens, close to the subject with as wide of an aperture as possible. All of those things calculate to insane bokeh.

(A short lens works too, but it obviously helps to be physically close to your subject.)

Adam

[Keiffer]

Your guess is good as mine I always pronounced it Bokah. Maybe one of these guys that get annoyed over spelling Lens...Lense. Can answer that. And geez yeap I'm guilty of spelling lens...Lense. Go figure.Could someone tell me how to pronounce bokeh so I can possibly say it out loud without sounding stupid? ;)

[KevC]

Bokeh is pronounced "135/2L". ;)

Or 180/2.8 Sonnar :D