Re: [Leica] BOKEH of 35mm lenses

[D Khong <dkhong@pacific.net.sg>]

Dan P. and others,
I could not believe my eyes when I printed some B^W pics taken with my 35
Summilux (non-ASPH) used between f1.4-f2.  There is this picture of a nurse
holding a fiberoptic scope with the light on and I can see the light like
fine particles passing from the end of the optic device to her finger about
2 inches away.  In another picture, as the whites bleed away from the
bright areas to the darker areas, the whole picture has that ethereal
subtle dreamlike glow which makes this lens a definite artform optic.  Now
I know what you LUGnuts who have this lens mean by that "glow".  I
regretted selling my previous 35 lux but am really glad I found a replacement.

Yes, Leica lenses each have that distinct fingerprint.  While the newer
ASPH/APO optics might have that edge in terms of optical performance, many
a times I find that the older generation ones produce  more pleasing to
look at pics.

Dan K.

Dan P. wrote:
>Other Dan-
>Funny! You find the Summaron's bokeh better than the Summicron- not funny,
>funny, but similar to my experience. I had commented to Marc Small, right
>after I got a Summaron 35/3,5 LTM, that the bokeh looked unusual- I had
>taken a shot of my father, who was recuperating at our house last year,
>while he was sitting on the front porch. In the prints, I noticed that the
>highlights coming from a holly shrub in the background, they were out of
>focus, and were almost circular donut shapes, similar to the ones you get
>from catadioptric lenses! They were not as pronounced, but unusual enough
>that I noticed them. (There was considerable discussion on bokeh then, and I
>was more prone to look at the out of focus portions of my photos than the in
>focus parts!!)
>I have since had the lens cleaned by Sherry, but I hope that the results
>with the cleaned lens will still have that soft round bokeh, as it was
>pleasing. The only thing is you have to shoot wide open, and get close
>because of the inherent depth of field!
>I also agree with you that the newer lenses are nothing short of amazing,
>and they are wonderful- for some stuff! I, like you, also like the
>'impressionistic' and painterly quality of some of the older lenses, and for
>certain types of expression, they are absolutely necessary.
>I guess Leica glass is like a fine wine! When new, there is a tantalizing
>hint of future joy; they age well, and are well made. And, if you happen on
>a certain vintage, the mellowness and character will make you close your
>eyes and see visions dancing in your mind! Indeed Leica offers something for
>so many- Probably why we can't really reach a consensus on anything, be it
>Scots whisky, underwear or lenses!
>Dan ( The Round one....)
>----- Original Message -----
>From: D Khong <dkhong@pacific.net.sg>
>To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
>Sent: Friday, August 27, 1999 1:58 PM
>Subject: Re: [Leica] BOKEH of 35mm lenses (prev.Reply to visitors of my
>website / Leica M comments)
>
>
>> Milos Kocman wrote:
>> >Anyone else been comparing bokeh of Leica 35mm lenses?
>>
>> I have only used 4.  Here are my views:
>>
>> Best Bokeh - 35 Summilux (non-ASPH)
>> 2nd best - 35 Summaron f3.5 in screwmount
>> 3rd best - 35 Summicron
>> 4th best - 35 summicron asph
>>
>> I have never used the 35 summilux asph so no comments.  I am of the
>> impression that the quality of bokeh is closely linked to the degree of
>> spherical aberration, coma, etc.  The ASPH is the purists' dream but might
>> well be an artist's heartache.
>>
>> I am basically an artist at heart.
>>
>> Dan K.
>>
>>
>>
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