Comments on: How to Obtain Maximum Bokeh http://mansurovs.com/how-to-obtain-maximum-bokeh?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-obtain-maximum-bokeh The Mansurovs provide various digital photography tips, tutorials and guides to photographers Tue, 22 May 2012 20:32:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Angela G.http://mansurovs.com/how-to-obtain-maximum-bokeh#comment-12667 Angela G. Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:32:39 +0000 http://mansurovs.com/?p=8011#comment-12667 Very good and succinct article. I guess learning about the interplay of these factors with different subjects and lenses is just a matter of experience. 5 and 6 are pretty much a different way to express points 1 and 4 and are often discussed in articles about bokeh, but points 2 and 3 are also very important and they don't cost money to control. Many photographers covet super fast lenses such as the 50 1.2, when a 70-200 f4 would create gorgeous bokeh for most portraits at a more affordable price... Very good and succinct article. I guess learning about the interplay of these factors with different subjects and lenses is just a matter of experience. 5 and 6 are pretty much a different way to express points 1 and 4 and are often discussed in articles about bokeh, but points 2 and 3 are also very important and they don’t cost money to control. Many photographers covet super fast lenses such as the 50 1.2, when a 70-200 f4 would create gorgeous bokeh for most portraits at a more affordable price…

]]> By: Nasim Mansurovhttp://mansurovs.com/how-to-obtain-maximum-bokeh#comment-11880 Nasim Mansurov Sat, 15 Oct 2011 16:07:33 +0000 http://mansurovs.com/?p=8011#comment-11880 Aaron, you are right - the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 is considered a "normal" lens and some pros hate its bokeh when compared to 135mm DC or 200mm f/2. However, people that cannot afford exotic optics look for cheaper solutions and the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 or the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 are great alternatives that will create beautiful bokeh when compared to cheap consumer zoom lenses. In addition, don't forget about the crop factor on DX bodies that affects the field of view on the 50mm equivalent to 75mm, which is a portrait range. And lastly, the above article is for beginners :)II will be working on a separate article on bokeh for advanced photographers very soon, after I am done with my articles on optics. Aaron, you are right – the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 is considered a “normal” lens and some pros hate its bokeh when compared to 135mm DC or 200mm f/2. However, people that cannot afford exotic optics look for cheaper solutions and the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 or the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 are great alternatives that will create beautiful bokeh when compared to cheap consumer zoom lenses. In addition, don’t forget about the crop factor on DX bodies that affects the field of view on the 50mm equivalent to 75mm, which is a portrait range. And lastly, the above article is for beginners :)

II will be working on a separate article on bokeh for advanced photographers very soon, after I am done with my articles on optics.

]]> By: Aaronhttp://mansurovs.com/how-to-obtain-maximum-bokeh#comment-11865 Aaron Sat, 15 Oct 2011 00:53:16 +0000 http://mansurovs.com/?p=8011#comment-11865 Thank you for the interesting article. I disagree, however with saying a 50mm lens is a portrait lens. Also, fast lenses often suffer from Bokeh fringing, so with a 1.4 lens you are likely to have magenta and green halos in your Bokeh. Thank you for the interesting article. I disagree, however with saying a 50mm lens is a portrait lens. Also, fast lenses often suffer from Bokeh fringing, so with a 1.4 lens you are likely to have magenta and green halos in your Bokeh.

]]> By: Swamihttp://mansurovs.com/how-to-obtain-maximum-bokeh#comment-11640 Swami Sun, 25 Sep 2011 00:20:51 +0000 http://mansurovs.com/?p=8011#comment-11640 How do you balance between point 2 and 4? Say I am taking a portrait...I can either move very close to my subject, in which case, I will have to be completely zoomed out, OR, I can stay far and zoom in to the subject. Point 2 says I should move close to the subject, and point 4 says I should zoom in as much as possible. Given then I am able to do either, which one takes priority, point 2 or 4? Should I move as closely as possible first, then zoom in more if necessary, or should I zoom in as much as I can first, and then move closer as needed? How do you balance between point 2 and 4? Say I am taking a portrait…I can either move very close to my subject, in which case, I will have to be completely zoomed out, OR, I can stay far and zoom in to the subject. Point 2 says I should move close to the subject, and point 4 says I should zoom in as much as possible. Given then I am able to do either, which one takes priority, point 2 or 4? Should I move as closely as possible first, then zoom in more if necessary, or should I zoom in as much as I can first, and then move closer as needed?

]]> By: Nasim Mansurovhttp://mansurovs.com/how-to-obtain-maximum-bokeh#comment-3265 Nasim Mansurov Mon, 28 Feb 2011 07:30:38 +0000 http://mansurovs.com/?p=8011#comment-3265 Vinay, yes, maximum aperture and longer focal lengths are mutually exclusive in a way when it comes to variable aperture zoom lenses, but it all depends on lens optics. On some lenses, the aperture does not change up to a certain focal length, while other lenses are at f/5.6 long before the longest focal length is reached. Unfortunately, there is no way to keep the aperture at a certain fixed value - it is the lens design and the zoom mechanism that control the aperture. Vinay, yes, maximum aperture and longer focal lengths are mutually exclusive in a way when it comes to variable aperture zoom lenses, but it all depends on lens optics. On some lenses, the aperture does not change up to a certain focal length, while other lenses are at f/5.6 long before the longest focal length is reached. Unfortunately, there is no way to keep the aperture at a certain fixed value – it is the lens design and the zoom mechanism that control the aperture.

]]> By: Vinayhttp://mansurovs.com/how-to-obtain-maximum-bokeh#comment-3264 Vinay Sun, 27 Feb 2011 05:43:50 +0000 http://mansurovs.com/?p=8011#comment-3264 Dear Nasim , The article on bokehs is excellent but I am extremely confused about one basic principle. Are not maximum aperture and longer focal lengths mutually exclusive ? In a typical kit lens 18mm to 55mm the aperture is 3.5 to 5.6. Is it possible to fix the aperture at 3.5 even for a focal length of 55mm? In my very limited experience even in the Aperture Priority mode the aperture automatically changes the moment focal length changes. I use a Nikon d 3100. I am not able to follow how the photographer can select / FIX the aperture in the A mode when it keeps changing when the focal length is adjusted? Sorry for the long and possibly extremely basic query but I hope you can help . Thanks Vinay Dear Nasim ,
The article on bokehs is excellent but I am extremely confused about one basic principle. Are not maximum aperture and longer focal lengths mutually exclusive ? In a typical kit lens 18mm to 55mm the aperture is 3.5 to 5.6. Is it possible to fix the aperture at 3.5 even for a focal length of 55mm? In my very limited experience even in the Aperture Priority mode the aperture automatically changes the moment focal length changes. I use a Nikon d 3100. I am not able to follow how the photographer can select / FIX the aperture in the A mode when it keeps changing when the focal length is adjusted?
Sorry for the long and possibly extremely basic query but I hope you can help .
Thanks
Vinay

]]> By: Nasim Mansurovhttp://mansurovs.com/how-to-obtain-maximum-bokeh#comment-3263 Nasim Mansurov Wed, 17 Nov 2010 21:18:47 +0000 http://mansurovs.com/?p=8011#comment-3263 Ravi,The Nikon 50mm will certainly help for portraits. As far as your Tamron, I would try f/8.0 to see if you can get sharp results. If you cannot, then you probably have a bad copy of the lens... Ravi,

The Nikon 50mm will certainly help for portraits. As far as your Tamron, I would try f/8.0 to see if you can get sharp results. If you cannot, then you probably have a bad copy of the lens…

]]> By: Ravi Raihttp://mansurovs.com/how-to-obtain-maximum-bokeh#comment-3262 Ravi Rai Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:20:01 +0000 http://mansurovs.com/?p=8011#comment-3262 Hi Nassin,First of all, thank you very much for sharing very informative and sharing knowledge, I guess it’s a gift to the rest of the world from you. Thank you again.My question - I have D3000 and I bought Tamron 70-300mm macro lense. I love taking Bokeh pictures and its quite nice performance I am getting but the sharpness is my concers. When I take portraits the sharpness falls. So, please suggest me the perfect aperture for sharp pictures. After reading your article I am planning to buy 50mm nikor.Thanks & regards Ravi Hi Nassin,

First of all, thank you very much for sharing very informative and sharing knowledge, I guess it’s a gift to the rest of the world from you. Thank you again.

My question – I have D3000 and I bought Tamron 70-300mm macro lense. I love taking Bokeh pictures and its quite nice performance I am getting but the sharpness is my concers. When I take portraits the sharpness falls. So, please suggest me the perfect aperture for sharp pictures. After reading your article I am planning to buy 50mm nikor.

Thanks & regards
Ravi

]]> By: Eduardo Siqueirahttp://mansurovs.com/how-to-obtain-maximum-bokeh#comment-3261 Eduardo Siqueira Sat, 18 Sep 2010 22:05:14 +0000 http://mansurovs.com/?p=8011#comment-3261 Nassin, thanks for your help. Regards, Eduardo. Nassin, thanks for your help. Regards, Eduardo.

]]> By: Nasim Mansurovhttp://mansurovs.com/how-to-obtain-maximum-bokeh#comment-3260 Nasim Mansurov Fri, 17 Sep 2010 07:19:21 +0000 http://mansurovs.com/?p=8011#comment-3260 Eduardo, the 18-55m will not yield good-looking bokeh. I would go for a portrait lens like the <a href="http://mansurovs.com/go/bh/nikon-50mm-f14g" rel="nofollow">Nikon 50mm f/1.4G</a> or <a href="http://mansurovs.com/go/bh/nikon-35mm-f18g" rel="nofollow">Nikon 35mm f/1.8G</a>. Eduardo, the 18-55m will not yield good-looking bokeh. I would go for a portrait lens like the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G or Nikon 35mm f/1.8G.

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