lenses with extremely shallow depth of field

[mark_schumann2]

I'd be grateful for letting me see some examples of portrait shots with the largest aperture of different

Leica -M-lenses to point out the shallowest depth of field which is an important factor for my choice for

a portrait lens. Thank you!

[stwrtertbsratbs5]

Try large format if you want really shallow DOF. I usually shoot portraits at f/16 so that I can have 4-5 inches in focus.

[frank uhlig]

Without the help of pictures: the longer the lens and the wider it opens up, the shallower will its DOF be, fully open. This is simple science, not a judgement call. Sorry.

[ronald_moravec1]

75mm 1.4 You get maybe 1 inch at 3 feet.

 

http://www.leica-camera.us/photography/m_system/lenses/

 

Drill down to technical data including distortion and debth of field for normal and tele lenses. There are sample photos on the way down.

[vic_.]

Not mine, but you can see very shallow DOF (Warning! You will get Lux lust.):

<p>http://www.shinozuka.org/200110autumnlux1/

<p>http://www.shinozuka.org/200110autumnlux2/

<p>http://www.shinozuka.org/f1/

<p>http://www.shinozuka.org/

[roland_schmid]

Noctilux @ 1.4<div></div>

[nikos peri]

Damn it Vic! I had just reached some inner peace, thinking I don't want/need/desire any more gear... Noctilux, you say.

[dirk van der herten]

Nocti @ f.1.4

 

<center><img src=http://www.leica-camera-user.com/attachments/people/

14893d1163437491-concert-epsn3376.jpg></center>

[dirk van der herten]

Another try.

 

<center><img src="http://www.leica-camera-user.com/attachments/people/

14893d1163437491-concert-epsn3376.jpg"></center>

[jackson loi]

"Not mine, but you can see very shallow DOF (Warning! You will get Lux lust.): "

 

Thanks for the fair warning, Vic., but I am already suffering from the Noctilust syndrome.

[jackson loi]

"http://www.shinozuka.org/200110autumnlux1/

 

http://www.shinozuka.org/200110autumnlux2/

 

http://www.shinozuka.org/f1/

 

http://www.shinozuka.org/

"

 

Uh oh, I saw the images in the third link... and now I can't stop looking for a used Noct.

[tomphoto]

50mm 1.4, wide open<div></div>

[brodeub]

Is it just my imagination is or there a bit of a spherical effect in the rendition of the OOF area in the Noct images at:

 

http://www.shinozuka.org/200110autumnlux2/

 

Brian

[mark_schumann2]

I agree that there is more than just a bit spherical effect on these pictures

[x-ray]

Mark:

 

I'm not trying to side track the thread and own and use Leica M's including the 75 1.4. If you're willing to invest in another system there is no better shalow DOF lens than the Canon 85 1.2. I have and love the 85 and also have the 135 f2 and 200 1.8. All are exceptionally sharp at max aperture and the OOF is unlike any others. I'll attach a portrait at 1.2. Even at 1.2 for portraits it outperforms my 75mm at f2 and my 90 apo aspheric summicron at all apertures at close distance. The 85 f1.2 is stunning.<div></div>

[x-ray]

Here's another example at 1.2. Notice in both shots the DOF is about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Unfortunately I would have to go back and locate other similar shots with the 135 f2 and 200 f1.8. The DOF with the 200 is even less and retains that very smooth OOF area. The downside is this lens is no longer made and used it's bringing in the neighborhood of $5K. Also with the canon system you have three tilt shift lenses, 24mm, 45mm and 90mm. All are tack sharp wide open and the tilt function allows very selective focus.<div></div>

[nikos peri]

Those are two very effective photos - love them both, congratulations.

[roland_r]

The RF lens with the most shallow depth of field is the 135/2.8 Elmarit.

 

3 cm at 2m distance (.03mm coc), beats 75 and 85 1.4-1.5 easily (around 4-6cm at the same distance), and of course the Noctilux (9cm). This is ignoring the FOV, of course.

 

Roland.