This lens is tricky...

[SquarePeg]

Remember when I fell down the eBay rabbit hole looking for Helios style vintage lenses and ended up also buying that custom Fuji mount Pentacon lens? Broke that out for a bit yesterday and for the first time I went in search of “optimal” conditions to get the arty look I wanted. It’s going to take a lot of practice for me to get the effect I want with this lens. Have to have dappled backlighting, subject separation, small enough subject that I can get in close but still have background visible, it’s not a zoom so have to be able to get exactly the right distance from subject, no breeze... and manual focus.

This is the closest I got. The slight breeze last night killed my focus and I had to lean way in so was off balance but I liked this spot and will try to get back there again soon. Editing on this jpeg: + clarity, + saturation and some haze removal (the lens doesn’t have a hood so lots of glare to deal with).



This one was less successful as I didn’t get the full bubble bokeh background effect I was looking for and the light was coming in strong so too much shadow. The breeze had picked up and was moving these a lot so focus is not good... still, I like the background and colors.
https://flic.kr/p/26zBQjd

 

[Dean_Gretsch]

Wind is our enemy! You did very well though, I think. If this is a learning example, I can't wait for your professional submission. I like the backgrounds on all of these.

 

[Gary A.]

OH MY ... the first is lovely. I'd dodge out the petals a tad, but that background is simply wonderful. (Gotta get me one of those Pentacon lenses. )

 

[jcdeboever]

gorgeous. breaking out the lens paint, nice.

 

[SquarePeg]

Wind is our enemy! You did very well though, I think. If this is a learning example, I can't wait for your professional submission. I like the backgrounds on all of these.

Thanks. After the brief session yesterday I have a mental checklist of things to think about and correct for next time.

OH MY ... the first is lovely. I'd dodge out the petals a tad, but that background is simply wonderful. (Gotta get me one of those Pentacon lenses. )

Yes, it could use a bit more editing if it was a keeper. I think if I go back there this weekend and don't get a better shot, I'll work on this one some more.

gorgeous. breaking out the lens paint, nice.

Thanks JC.

 

[Derrel]

The fact that you can so clearly enumerate the needed conditions to maximize the lens's bokeh potential is impressive to me.

 

[SquarePeg]

The fact that you can so clearly enumerate the needed conditions to maximize the lens's bokeh potential is impressive to me.

Thanks Derrel. I wish I could find those conditions as clearly as I can list them! I've been racking my brain trying to think of a local spot with interesting subjects that meets the criteria and coming up empty. I may try my "secret garden" spot today but there's a lot of sun there and I typically only go there when it's overcast which would not work.

 

[snowbear]

Nice shots, regardless.

I may try my "secret garden" spot today but there's a lot of sun there and I typically only go there when it's overcast which would not work.

Be patient - it's on the way, it's raining here, now.