[Leica] Re: The 3D Efect

[George Huczek <ghuczek@sk.sympatico.ca>]

At 03:13 PM 23/12/98 +0100, Martin wrote:
>George Huczek wrote:
>> is there any truth to this for newer lenses, or is it just part of
>> the Leica mystique?
>
>Bokeh is not a myth.  Internet links on Bokeh: [cut]

Thanks for the links.  I will read through them over the holidays.  I am
familiar with Bokeh.  That's not the story.
   Bokeh may be only part of what may be responsible for this so-called 3D
effect.  Given the right film/developer combination, to produce fine grain
and high acutance, the mythological 3D effect involves more than just
opening up the lens and getting a pleasing soft background, I suspect.  I
can get that up close with a macro lens, but it is not necessarily the
same.  This weird 3D thing gives added dimensionality to the photo.  A B&W
film with distinct edge definition, yielding crisp Mackie lines, brings the
subject out from the background, particularly where there are noticeable
tonal differences between the main subject, and the background behind the
subject.  This may be as important a factor in this effect as the optics
used.  The effect also seems to be more prominent when the distance
separating the main subject and the background falls within certain limits
for a particular aperture.  The human eye does the same kind of thing due
to its accommodation, and similarities between the image formed by the
camera, and how the mind perceives that photographed image may also have
something to do with this, but I'm only speculating.
   This is probably the wrong forum to discuss the topic.  It isn't likely
that I will be able to convince anyone here that such an effect can be
achieved using other brand-name lenses as well.  Optics are only part of
what might make this illusion appear.  Lighting, film type, processing and
other factors are likely involved, and so I'm suggesting that the effect
isn't unique to Leica optics, that's all.