Timber Wolf
Senior Member
Hello guys! =)
If you remember, I posted a thread on bokeh problems with my Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 (harsh bokeh etc). I decided not to bear with it anymore because well, I paid quite abit for the lens, and an otherwise exemplary lens shouldn't exhibit such ugly bokeh problems.
So. I set out to solve the problem by making a "filter" to mimic the apodization filter of the 135mm f/2.8 STF lens. My materials used are very crude as I don't have the means of manipulating glass.
Materials used:
Inkjet printer
Printable transparency
Double sided tape
Quite a bit of prayer. :bsmilie:
How I did it:
Use photoshop to create a radial gradient with a white centre and dark grey edge.
Print the gradient onto the transparency, diameter around 35mm (suits my lens, may vary for others)
Paste onto back of lens behind the rear element with double sided tape.
Take care not to smudge the transparency with fingerprints!
Sample shot: Cat. Not up to my standards, but heck this is just a test right =)
Findings:
Flare went up alot. Image had a nice ethereal look to it. Something like in-camera dreamy effect! (see the cat's ear on the right. The white of the fur is bleeding into it.
Resolution was not affected. The cat's eyes and whatnot are still very sharp.
Bokeh was MUCH improved. See cat's front paw. Even at 10cm away from point of focus the paw is nicely blurred out. The orange/blue background is about 1m away. The green and brown stuff are piles of leaves, nicely out of focus here. Creamy xD
Conclusion:
The apodization filter effect really works. Out of focus areas have that smooth look to them.
I shall try to use this for a portrait session tmrw.
Suggestions for improvement:
Use glass. That should reduce flare.
Use a laser printer and print on normal transparency. The coated side for inkjet transparencies has a mild grid pattern which causes more flare (diffraction) and lines on some parts of out of focus areas (not evident in this photo)
Cheers!
QX
Please suggest improvements and comment!
Thanks!
If you remember, I posted a thread on bokeh problems with my Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 (harsh bokeh etc). I decided not to bear with it anymore because well, I paid quite abit for the lens, and an otherwise exemplary lens shouldn't exhibit such ugly bokeh problems.
So. I set out to solve the problem by making a "filter" to mimic the apodization filter of the 135mm f/2.8 STF lens. My materials used are very crude as I don't have the means of manipulating glass.
Materials used:
Inkjet printer
Printable transparency
Double sided tape
Quite a bit of prayer. :bsmilie:
How I did it:
Use photoshop to create a radial gradient with a white centre and dark grey edge.
Print the gradient onto the transparency, diameter around 35mm (suits my lens, may vary for others)
Paste onto back of lens behind the rear element with double sided tape.
Take care not to smudge the transparency with fingerprints!
Sample shot: Cat. Not up to my standards, but heck this is just a test right =)
Findings:
Flare went up alot. Image had a nice ethereal look to it. Something like in-camera dreamy effect! (see the cat's ear on the right. The white of the fur is bleeding into it.
Resolution was not affected. The cat's eyes and whatnot are still very sharp.
Bokeh was MUCH improved. See cat's front paw. Even at 10cm away from point of focus the paw is nicely blurred out. The orange/blue background is about 1m away. The green and brown stuff are piles of leaves, nicely out of focus here. Creamy xD
Conclusion:
The apodization filter effect really works. Out of focus areas have that smooth look to them.
I shall try to use this for a portrait session tmrw.
Suggestions for improvement:
Use glass. That should reduce flare.
Use a laser printer and print on normal transparency. The coated side for inkjet transparencies has a mild grid pattern which causes more flare (diffraction) and lines on some parts of out of focus areas (not evident in this photo)
Cheers!
QX
Please suggest improvements and comment!
Thanks!
