Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/12/29

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Subject: RE: [Leica] Bokeh controversy
From: Henry Ambrose <henryambrose@home.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2000 19:51:32 -0600
 
>This is a little OT, but there was some discussion of the bokeh 150mm f4
>Sonnar for the Hasselblad. I've always been a little puzzled by the
>critisism of this lens, and although I'm not a bokeh expert, the shots I
>have taken with this wide open look fine to me. Then it occurs to me
>that in fact all of the shots I'm thinking of also had a Zeiss Softar 1
>on it (they were portraits after all). I haven't tested the effect but
>it stands to reason that a softar-type filter has to have a pretty
>pronounced effect on out of focus highlights. Maybe this goes part of
>the way to explaining why so many portrait photographers are happy with
>such a "bad" lens. I know I am.
>
>Simon Stevens
>
>
Yes, this is puzzling. This is maybe THE portrait lens of modern times.

The bokehists are getting a little carried away.

Henry Ambrose