Better bokeh using the Extreme at DVinfo.net

Steven Dempsey · November 2nd, 2007, 02:59 PM

So undoubtedly, most of you have seen the ongoing debate about good and bad bokeh and there are some who have objected to the Extreme's bokeh, saying it is too diffused or whatever.

This is a very bright adapter and it needs to be "calmed down" a little. When you are shooting with your Nikon or Canon lens wide open, you are going to get a softer bokeh and, in the Extreme's case, it's going to look diffused and ghost-like. If you shut down the lens a little to, say, f4, the bokeh is dramatically improved.

From a practical standpoint, this works because you shouldn't be shooting with the lens wide open all the time anyway. I am posting an example of what I am talking about:

Lens used in this case was Nikon 50mm f1.8

The "crappy" bokeh is lens open to f1.8 (first image)
Better bokeh achieved closing it down to f4

Phil Bloom · November 3rd, 2007, 05:20 PM

that's true Steven, but part of the joy of having such a bright adaptor is the ability to shoot in low light, wide open. If you have to stop down to get a good bokeh it seems to negate the use of having it so bright!

I agree the ghost like bokeh is not great, your second one is so much nicer.

November 2nd, 2007, 02:59 PM	#1
Steven Dempsey Disjecta Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 937	Better bokeh using the Extreme So undoubtedly, most of you have seen the ongoing debate about good and bad bokeh and there are some who have objected to the Extreme's bokeh, saying it is too diffused or whatever. This is a very bright adapter and it needs to be "calmed down" a little. When you are shooting with your Nikon or Canon lens wide open, you are going to get a softer bokeh and, in the Extreme's case, it's going to look diffused and ghost-like. If you shut down the lens a little to, say, f4, the bokeh is dramatically improved. From a practical standpoint, this works because you shouldn't be shooting with the lens wide open all the time anyway. I am posting an example of what I am talking about: Lens used in this case was Nikon 50mm f1.8 The "crappy" bokeh is lens open to f1.8 (first image) Better bokeh achieved closing it down to f4 Attached Thumbnails __________________ Try my Digital Therapy: http://www.pinelakefilms.com/digital_therapy.html Films on ExposureRoom: http://exposureroom.com/members/disjecta.aspx/videos/ Last edited by Steven Dempsey; November 2nd, 2007 at 08:33 PM.

November 3rd, 2007, 05:20 PM	#2
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	that's true Steven, but part of the joy of having such a bright adaptor is the ability to shoot in low light, wide open. If you have to stop down to get a good bokeh it seems to negate the use of having it so bright! I agree the ghost like bokeh is not great, your second one is so much nicer. __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net