Bokeh

[_sy]

How to get a really nice bokeh with Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G lens? Will buying Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF help getting really good bokeh results?

[OsmosisStudios]

Yes and no.

THe 50/1.8 will get you shallow depth of field easily, and the bokeh is fairly nice, but it's still not king. The bokeh of the 18-55 isn't terrible, its just that it's, at best, a f/5.6 at the long end. That's SMALL aperture. So you're not actually getting "bad" bokeh, just too deep of depth of field.

Want super bokeh? Get yourself an 85mm f/1.4. for $1600. Go nuts

[pantileeva]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Yes and no.
Want super bokeh? Get yourself an 85mm f/1.4. for $1600. Go nuts

Agree! 85 mm gives a great bokeh, and the colors are also bright! I personally enjoy this lens greatly!
As for 50 mm, I think this lens bokeh is also very good, but it desaturates colors a bit, I think. Still I'm using my 50mm recently and enjoy the results!

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by pantileeva

As for 50 mm, I think this lens bokeh is also very good, but it desaturates colors a bit, I think.

That's patently false.

[Elmo]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

That's patently false.

I respect your ALL knowing but!! Different lens formulas do produce different boken styles.
likewise different lens formulas do produce different color renditions. I know folks who have several lenses of the same focal length and max aperture to allow them to better capture the scene as they saw it. For example A 50 mm Zeiss lens for a Canon produces an entirely different boken and color saturation.

[OsmosisStudios]

I wasnt referring to the bokeh: I know bokeh is different from lens to that. I mentioned it in my first post. My objection was to the colour comment.

COlour can be influenced (warm, cool, green, magenta) but cannot be "desaturated" by a lens. It simply cant be done. And unless you can prove it scientifically and conclusively, I'll keep arguing it.

I know that certain lenses, namely off-brand lenses, often have colour casts. But they do NOT desaturate.

[ravncat]

as far as I know,

lens coatings (ones which remove internal reflections and or help increase contrast or resistance to flare can help improve recording of color saturation, but it's a small effect. Sometimes microcontrast can be a factor if the color is coming from lots of very small details, like a very very finely marbled object, here a lenses chromatic aberration would cause a reduction in saturation..

Most color saturation, has everything to do with the film / sensor and exposure. (exposure has all sorts of interesting consequences). Metemerism effects can also lead to a reduction in saturtaion and may show up more often with color casts coming into play as well. The only other things that will help you, are the pigments of the object, the light source and polarization.

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

But they do NOT desaturate.

That's patently false.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by ravncat

as far as I know,

lens coatings (ones which remove internal reflections and or help increase contrast or resistance to flare can help improve recording of color saturation, but it's a small effect.

This is so minute as to be invisible.