Small statuette

[Matt. K]

http://www.pbase.com/matt_k/image/36176987

[xerubus]

I really like the statuette.... the DOF on the photo does it justice...

[Onyx]

Was this with a 50 1.8 or 1.4? I see heptagonal bokeh... Ever since I noticed it shooting a 50 1.4, it has stuck out in my mind and I can't overlook it!

[Matt. K]

50mm f1.8

[Mj]

The bokeh is interesting... done quite a few shots something like this and not hit a hex yet... having said that maybe I'll recheck some old pics just in case !!!

[dooda]

Is this considered a macro shot?

Is the 50mm 1.8 a decent lens for macro?

What exactly does Bokeh mean again?

[MHD]

Bokeh is (measured) the way in which out of focus point of light is rendered... You have the shape, a function of the shape of the iris and the quality which is either good, bad or neutral (and yes varying degrees!)

Bad Bokeh might apear as donughts or rolled up condoms, this is commonly the case with reflex lenses (ie Schidt cassegrean telescopes, pardon my spelling)

good bokeh has a smooth transition from a bright central area and diminishing out to the end of the pattern.

neutral is flat and uniform

[Glen]

MHD,

love the description "or rolled up condoms"

I am going to start checking all my photos for rolled up condoms in future

[MHD]

Not my own words I am afraid... I read it in a article some where (might have been Ken Rockwells site)

[Matt. K]

Not considered to be a macro shot. Macro generally refers to any close up taken with supplementary equipment such as, bellows, extension rings, macro lens, lens reversal etc. Bokeh...correctly spelled boke...or, from memory...boke aji, refers to the beauty of the out of focus area...normally the background, in a photograph. There are many factors involved including lens type, camera to subject distance and working f/stop. I think bokeh is misunderstood by many people as I have seen psoted examples, not on this forum, of images where the out of focus area is so plain that bokeh quality can't be determined. The Nikkor 50mm has excellent bokeh at the larger f/stops...f/2 f/2.8/ f/4 and f/5.6

It should be borne in mind that even individual lenses of the same type from the same manufacturer may exhibit different bokeh...so if you can try a number of lenses on the same subject at the same f/stop you may find one that is outstanding.

[dooda]

Hmmm,

Still not sure what it is exactly, but I think I sort of understand. Thanks for responding.

I'm kind of going over what it would take to get into some more close up photography, I can't seem to ever get really close focus with the kit lens somehow. Any suggestions?

[Glen]

Dooda, Matt K description was perfect and here is a shot which shows some of what he is talking about



If you look to the side of the head you can see little heptagonal spots. These are pinpoints of lights in the out of focus area, which happens to be a hedge in this case. You can see how the out of focus area has a look of its own.

A screw in filter like the Canon 500D (?) or Nikon 6T is probably the cheapest (but not most satisfactory) way to experiment with close up photography. They are discussed in more detail elsewhere on this site.

[Matt. K]

Dooda
The best way to get into macro is to buy yourself a 50mm lens (second hand is fine if funds are tight), and a lens reversal ring. This allows you to mount the lens in reverse onto the camera. You will have to judge your exposure by checking the histogram, but that's a piece of cake. This setup will enable professional quality macro photography and the lens can be used for general purpose photography.