Elmar 50mm collapsible

[paisatge]

I stumbled on this article by Mr Rockwell

And now I'm curious to find out what's the relation between the number of blades in a lens and the image quality. In that article he said that the latest version has only 6 blades and that's inferior....but I'm not sure in what way.

Maybe the masters here can enlighten me a bit ;p

 

[NazgulKing]

Image quality is more to do with the optical formula, coating etc. The aperture blades do affect the bokeh character, but isn't really that big a factor when it comes to Image quality if it's roughly circular (and assuming the blades are precise).

 

[paisatge]

So the more blades the nicer bokeh?

 

[gommy]

So the more blades the nicer bokeh?

More blades=more round aperture imply bokeh balls more round. Most modern lenses has less blades unlike some older lenses with up to 15 blades.

 

[paisatge]

I see. Thanks for the info

 

[theRenaissance]

More blades=more round aperture imply bokeh balls more round. Most modern lenses has less blades unlike some older lenses with up to 15 blades.

15 blades?! wow, and I thought 10 blades were already stretching it.

 

[sweat100]

The number of blades matter if you shoot stopped down. However if you shoot wide open, the number of blades dont matter anymore.

 

[paisatge]

The number of blades matter if you shoot stopped down. However if you shoot wide open, the number of blades dont matter anymore.

So is it because it's more difficult to get a perfect circle with lesser blades when wide open?

 

[gommy]

So is it because it's more difficult to get a perfect circle with lesser blades when wide open?

When wide open, it is always a circle regardless of no of blades; when stopped down, less blades gives a "angular" circle (circle with "corners").

 

[paisatge]

When wide open, it is always a circle regardless of no of blades; when stopped down, less blades gives a "angular" circle (circle with "corners").

of course, silly me. Learnt something new today. Thanks!