Author Topic: Extreme Bokeh--hide the women and children (Read 5974 times)

Toby · « **on:** July 05, 2018, 17:43:19 »

Before I go gentle into that goodnight, I am enjoying seeing just how far I can push this bokeh business. My objective (at the moment) is to try to make images that actually use this extreme bokeh as part of the compositional structure itself, almost like an impressionist canvas. Here are some examples of my most successful (it seems to me) experiments in that direction. Please feel free to post your own images if you have them.

First up are 10 images shot with a Dallmeyer Super Six Anastigmat 8 inch f2.0. It's actually a little longer, seems to be around 230mm. I was extremely fortunate to find one, and at a price that did not mean selling my family into slavery. I am working on moving on to less static subjects, but since this lens weighs in at 3.5 kg, it is not easy to hand hold and focus on moving subjects, the DOF often being razor thin.

I have lots of double Gauss lenses, but none that look exactly like the Super Sixes. They do have a unique rendering in my experience.

armando_m · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2018, 19:10:10 »

After seeing this images, a lens with regular bokeh seems almost boring

Jack Dahlgren · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2018, 22:05:09 »

The second persimmon image is particularly painterly. Quite nice. What are you doing for post processing to accentuate the bokeh?

pluton · « **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2018, 04:38:41 »

I like the the bamboo and lantern shots the best. Lovely compositions and color.

Are the out of focus areas in these shots processed with elevated contrast compared to the in-focus subjects?

Toby · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2018, 07:56:58 »

Basically all I do is some global contrast and exposure correction, perhaps some spot exposure correction for flare and then do some sharpening and sometimes a bit of microcontrast enhancement. Here is an image SOOC and after my processing

Frank Fremerey · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2018, 11:05:15 »

bokehlishious. wow

Toby · « **Reply #6 on:** July 06, 2018, 17:00:31 »

Second up I'm going to post a couple of shots with an interesting little C mount cine lens, the Kilfitt Zoomatar 75mm f1.3. Kilfitt made some crazy-ass lenses, including both 180 and 250mm f1.3 primes (they seemed to have a thing about f1.3).

Anyway this lens swirls like crazy, actually too much for my taste. But interesting nonetheless.

golunvolo · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2018, 20:43:17 »

Very interesting sexy bokeh. The bamboo shot does it for me.

Thanks for sharing!

Jakov Minić · « **Reply #8 on:** July 06, 2018, 22:51:32 »

Toby, Toby, Toby!
Huge respect! Enjoyed them all thoroughly!

pluton · « **Reply #9 on:** July 06, 2018, 23:30:55 »

The gargoyle shot is seriously dizzying. Fascinating series.

Frank Fremerey · « **Reply #10 on:** July 07, 2018, 07:58:51 »

Quote from: pluton on July 06, 2018, 23:30:55

The gargoyle shot is seriously dizzying. Fascinating series.

+1

crazy effect with such high definition of the main subject

Dr Klaus Schmitt · « **Reply #11 on:** July 07, 2018, 08:41:41 »

Very well done indeed Toby!

Toby · « **Reply #12 on:** July 07, 2018, 13:17:10 »

In the world of "swirly bokeh" there are a few of the little cine C-mount lenses which are quite amusing, stunning or nauseating, depending on your tastes. The first I'd like to present is the Ross 1 inch 1.9, which is quite sharp in the center, moving to ridiculously swirly as you move to the edge of the APS-C frame (which it will cover used close up). It is so extreme that for me the effect gets tiresome quickly, although occasionally, as with a fisheye, it can be quite effective.

Toby · « **Reply #13 on:** July 07, 2018, 13:22:22 »

Next is the Dallmeyer analogue, the 1 inch f1.9. This also nearly covers the APS-C frame. I generally find the poor quality off center disturbing, and it takes just the right composition with the subject in the sharp center to use it effectively--not that I feel I have achieved that here.

Toby · « **Reply #14 on:** July 07, 2018, 13:29:25 »

One of my very favorites of this "genre" is the Hugo Meyer Kino Plasmat 25mm f1.5. I wish I had the money to buy a 50mm...This one also covers APS-C, actually a rarity among 25mm "normal" 16mm film lenses. Yes, swirl is both an acquired taste and gets old quickly...