Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/12/31
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> Show me a similar photograph as in the Russian model, but with bad bokeh. > To my eyes it just looks like a (nice) photograph taken at a large > aperture. The background looks like any typical out of focus background, > IMHO. I can't supply a photo with a Russian model, but consider this one: http://www.pinkheadedbug.com/humantraffic/portfolio_14/pages/005.html Take the same background here and put it behind the Russian model and I submit you have a less pleasing photograph. Now _please_ don't get me wrong: this is not a big deal. In fact, the photo above was taken--I'm reasonably sure--with the 35 asph summilux, and if I were all that concerned about its bokeh I wouldn't have just ordered one. Nevertheless, I see a difference in the background between these photos. I won't go so far as to say the lens is what makes the difference--there may be many factors. Consider this image as another example of (clearly) distracting bokeh--due in this case (I imagine) to no fault of the lense: http://www.dmakos.com/gallery/graffiti/bluenote.html ...or this one, which seems to be due to the lens... http://people.oven.com/jbm/temp-displays/bokeh/c3990719-28a%5bwhitpit%5d1410 .jpeg All shot with the 35 asph summilux (and apologies to those who took these shots: there are many fine images on these sites!). Now compare the bokeh rendered by the noctilux to that of the 35 asph summilux here: http://content.communities.msn.com/isapi/fetch.dll?action=get_album&ID_Commu nity=Leicausers&ID_Topic=81 In particular, "Young Monks" really shows off the bokeh of the noctilux, while the one titled "Rubber band dipping" demonstrates a different quality of the background areas as rendered by the 35 asph. Conclusions: there IS a difference in bokeh that is clearly distinguishable, at least to my eyes. Whether it matters to you or not is another matter. I agree with Doug: we don't pay attention to bokeh when we aren't distracted by it. When we are, it detracts from the overall effect of the image. Dan