Bokeh Central

~ BOKEH ~

This term evokes much debate on the internet. What exactly is bokeh anyway ? Bokeh, for me, is simply the rendition of out of focus areas of a photograph. Although some people claim it makes no difference to a photograph, I disagree with a passion. Many images are enhanced by "good" bokeh, and others are spoiled by bad bokeh. Bokeh was brought to the forefront of everyone's attention by Harold M. Merklinger in an article published May/June 1997. Here is that article.

A new development in bokeh land (2005): Mike Johnston ( writer on photographic equipment ) - has just published a list of lenses in which he rates their bokeh.

Konica Hexanon 40mm ƒ/1.8	3	Leica 35mm Summicron-M (4th generation)	10
Konica Hexanon 28mm ƒ/1.8	6	Leitz 50mm Summicron-M (7-element collapsible)	7
Konica Hexanon 85mm ƒ/1.8	6	Leitz 50mm Summicron-M (7-element rigid)	6
		Leica 50mm Summicron-M (current version)	5
Zeiss Contax Distagon 28mm ƒ/2.8	7	Leica 50mm Noctilux	?
Zeiss Contax Distagon 35mm ƒ/2.8	5	Leica 75mm ƒ/1.4 Summilux-M	9
Zeiss Contax Planar 50mm ƒ/1.4	3
Zeiss Contax Planar 85mm ƒ/1.4	8	Nikon AF-Nikkor 50mm ƒ/1.8	5
Zeiss Contax Sonnar 85mm ƒ/2.8	5	Nikon AF-Nikkor 50mm ƒ/1.4	3
Zeiss Contax Planar 100mm ƒ/2	8
		Pentax 50mm ƒ/1.4 ( all K-Mount versions )	7

The only lenses I have used on this list are: Canon EF 50mm 1.8....Contax 35mm 2.8....Leica Summicron 50/2 latest....Leica 35mm 4th Version.

I generally agree with his assesment on these lenses. Here is my own example of bokeh produced by the Leica 35mm/2 4th Ver.

Lenses mentioned of having nice bokeh

Lenses mentioned having bad/harsh bokeh

Tamron SP AF 90mm/2.8

Pentax 31mm Limited

Any vintage Heliar lens

100mm 3.5 Ektar ( Heliar design )

Canon FL 55mm 1.2

Voigtlander/Cosina 40mm/1.4*

Nikon 105mm macro

Contax G 35mm

Nikon AF 200mm Micro

Sigma 105mm/2.8 Macro

* Wow, this listing has caused all kinds of angst....if you read the title, its says lenses MENTIONED that have bad bokeh - this is NOT definitive - however, I have not heard people rave that it has good bokeh.....