[Leica] Wow, the last word on Bokeh, from Zeiss

[tgray at 125px.com (Tim Gray)]

On Apr 15, 2010 at 08:32 AM +0930, Marty Deveney wrote:
> The newer asph lenses - the 50 Summilux, 75 Summicron, 21 & 24
> Summiluxes and the 0.95 Nocti have what Doug Herr refers to aptly as
> neutral bokeh.  The 35s, the 21 and 24 2.8s and the 90 AA have what I
> would call harsh bokeh.  The 28 is somewhere in between.  I don't have
> them all, but I currently have 4 and I've used them all, including
> specific testing for bokeh.

Interesting to actually hear someone who has used a bunch instead of just 
reiterated the stereotype.  I finally decided to interpret 'ASPH = harsh' as 
the 35 Summilux being a bit harsh.  That's a popular lens and I figured 
people made broad statements based on the experience with that one lens.

There was a test on getdpi[1] between some Leica Summarits and other 
counterparts. 35 Summicron IV, 50 ASPH, etc.  Not having shot most of the 
lenses, I was surprised how 'jangly' the 35 Summicron IV looked in that 
environment, and how smooth the 50 ASPH looked.

I've not used nor have any interest in the old 21 or 24.  The 90 looks good, 
but I'd have to come across one at a good price for me to pick it up.  And I 
won't  be getting the new 21 or 24 anytime soon.

[1]: <http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120>

I'm not a huge bokeh freak, but as I said, I find the 50 ASPH to be 
remarkably neutral.  The 28 Summicron is reasonably neutral looking, but 
since it's a wide angle, there's only going to be so much anyway.

Tim