Soft focus - OOF - Blur (what's it all about)

Canon sells a very expensive soft-focus lens. One can buy a soft-focus filter.
One can turn the focus ring. One can add blur in PP.

Is there some explanation about the difference of these effects on the final image?

Digital "Soft Focus" like digital Bokeh never look as good as the real thing...

IMO, simply another case where getting it right in the camera works best.

YMMV...

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #6538358
Digital "Soft Focus" like digital Bokeh never look as good as the real thing...

IMO, simply another case where getting it right in the camera works best.

YMMV...

That's a pretty fair summation.

Hmmm.... so you can see the difference in all these methods?
I assume the lens option gives the best result if for no other reason than cost; but how would a lens differ from a soft focus filter for example or for that matter just manually going OOF? Have you ever seen a comparison?

SwingBopper wrote in post #6539355
Hmmm.... so you can see the difference in all these methods?
I assume the lens option gives the best result if for no other reason than cost; but how would a lens differ from a soft focus filter for example. Have you ever seen a comparison?

A soft focus filter mounted in front of a lens will still yield better results than attempting to create the effect in post processing (the talent level of someone like Scott Kelby notwithstanding...)

IMO, this is still a case of getting it right in the camera...

I have the Canon 135mm Soft Focus lens - and actually thought it was very reasonably priced.

It can be 'interesting' to use, though, and the results can be a bit more than expected. Or less. I'm still getting used to it.

If that is the lens you are talking about - have a look in the lens archives - there are some very good posts in there about it.