Thanks Frank, do you also have an AF-S 58mm 1.4 to compare the bokeh to the Voigtländer 50mm f/1.0?
I know these two lenses are in many ways different but still.

I got the Z1.2/50S, the 1.4/58G, the OM Zuiko 1.4/50mm and the OM Zuiko 1.2/55mm and several others in that range


For AF the 1.2/50S is superb and that is why I also decided to give me the Z9 as a treat for easter

Difficult to describe.


The Zf feels just perfect with the Voigt 1.0/50mm I feel like in the olden times, it slows me down


The Z6 feels alright with the 1.2/50S, the Zf not, I guess the Z9 will be perfect


The1.2/50S is perfect in her response to the Z AF-System. Fast and reliable. A dream come true

***This guy was waving the flag and I still got a lot of biting sharp shots with eye lock on but not at f/1.2 at f/2.0 but with the Z6

***second shot is a guy moving towards me. eye AF, for shots, three sharp on the eye, one on the nose

***third shot is action at f/1.2 girl & boy on spot


****shot four: boring portrait@f/1.2, but you can see the bokeh and tell yourself if you like it

Verdict: the 1.2/50mm rendering is very creamy when it is shot with a good distance between subject and background. At f/2.0 and f/2.5 pictures look a tad harsher, a bit like the (in)famous 1,4/35 Ai-S. I prefer to shoot her at f/1.2 that is why I paid 2500€ for her when she came out

small flower, today in the orchard of Murcia.

Many thanks Frank, David and John,

If I wanted to build a two lens kit with the APO 28mm f/2.0 would the APO 50mm f/2.0 or 50mm f/1.0 be a good match?

The 50/1.0 Voigt is one of my all time favourite lenses, especially for environmetal portraits at f/1.0

Morgähn  Zf & Voigtländer 28mm f/2.0

That scene is beautiful.

Thank you!

Perspective is a function of the distance from the subject to the lens. On the 36x24mm format the classic portrait lenses are 85~90mm for 3/4 length, 100~105mm for head and shoulders and 135mm for a tight head shot. I prefer at least f/2.0 for 85mm and at least f/2.8 for 100~135mm to blur backgrounds if that is desired. This isn't set in stone. Personal preference can guide.

Yousuf Karsh, 1937-87, use 8x10" and maybe 11x14" cameras so given the lens selection and constraints of his camera bellows he used shorter working distance. A shorter working distance gives a more intimate look while while longer is more aloof. Anyway Karsh is my favorite portrait photographer.

If the lens gives pleasent backgrounds a 100~105mm f/2.8 macro lens can be a good choice. If the macro lens is too sharp there are in camera and post processing solution and one can easily make a Harrison & Harrison black dot knockoff by spraying a mist of flat black paint on the inside of a UV filter. This filter gives a bit of diffraction too soften the image a little when a lens is used to wide apertures. Such was used in movies in the '40s and '50s to disguise the age of a male lead.

I'm not a great portrait photographer. I'm too shy. I like to be the fly on the wall and shoot candids.

Best,

Dave