A Blog and discussion about that *$%%# elusive Swirly Bokeh!

[jimgalli]

great thread, jim. i too would like to further undstand and control bokeh.

i recently got an old gundlach 5x8 triple convert lens and have been learning how it works. when i focus on a distance of about 15 feet, i can make out the image circle on 8x10. but when i bring the lens forward and focus to about 2-3 feet, i start getting some interesting bokeh in the fall-off around the edges. here is what i got (see attachment)--
View attachment 8181

one thing i have learned from this is that every lens has its own way of doing things and it there is a learning curve. it really does take some testing and practive to "get to know" a lens before you can really take advantage of it. in my newer lenses (nikkor 210, super angulon 90) i dont see any of this. they are very predictable.. i am learning slowly that old glass has more "soul" and personality.

Usually it works just the opposite. Vignette at infinity and covers at closer focus. Make sure you try some portraits wide open with just a single element of that lens. I've seen some marvelous soft portraits made with single component shot wide open. Nice portrait!

 

[Murray@uptowngallery]

The hair still looks 'sharp' on jss's portrait.

 

[copake_ham]

I got to page two and then decided I couldn't take it any more. Not the swirl - although that's a bit off-putting - but rather, learning if Roger survived or not.

Then, I thought, wait a minute - Jim mentioned "bokeh".

Isn't the definition of bokeh, or at least what you're supposed to aspire to as bokeh, considered to be "GOOD" OOF? As in pleasing to the eye?

Think it's kind of safe to say that most "good bokeh" is not "swirly"; although there may be some "good swirly bokeh". Jim's flower shot does not seem to qualify! It is not "pleasing to the eye".

But it did give Roger the heebie-jeebies, so it's not necessarily a totally bad picture!

 

[JosBurke]

I have a Dallmeyer 2B that gives that nice swirly bokeh a little more outside the center of the image than your example but keep in mind that I shot mine in 5x7 and at f8 or my guestimate of the f stop via waterhouse (not wide open) and it really clips the corners--the lens is more suited to 4x5 but I've never used it there except for some polaroid 54 shots. I like you're swirl Jim but it is rather dizzying---that's a lot of swirl--gonna make me hurl, chicka chicka boom boom !! I should be writing rap songs or whatever ya want to call em' !