How do they get that "Bokeh " on Sigma 50mm f/1.4

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/20/2008 01:34:55 PM · #1

Hi boys and girls,

Sorry for my stupidity and endless questions, but this i need to know: What settings should i use with my Canon 400D camera and my Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM lens to get this effect?

//www.motleypixel.com/reviews/Sigma%20Primes/Sigma%2050mm%20f1.4%20EX%20DG%20HSM/sigma_50m_f1.4_%20ex_dg_hsm_06.jpg

This is a image taken by some guy with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM and he called this effect Bokeh (I am from Iceland and have no idea what that means).

Please help if you can.

Thank you :D

Can-On

Message edited by Manic - please keep images under 500px and 30kb, or post links or thumbs instead.

Zigomar

Fujifilm X100T

Lensbaby 2.0

12/20/2008 01:45:21 PM · #2

Start with this

Try to have your subject close to the camera, open the aperture all the way (1.4) and it should work ;-)

Message edited by author 2008-12-20 13:45:49.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

12/20/2008 01:49:54 PM · #3

Try shooting using "aperture priority" and shoot a series of 3 or 4 beginning with f1.4, then 2.8, 4, and see which one you like best. My guess on the one in your photo would be about f2.8 or 3.5, maybe f4. It has some depth of field, which would not be there at f1.4. Keep the subject close, and the background as far behind it as possible.
Welcome to DPC.

TCGuru

Canon EOS-40D

12/20/2008 01:49:57 PM · #4

The effect is, indeed, bokeh. Looks like about an f3.5 or f4 shot. Your subject needs to be a good distance from your bg. About 5 or 6 feet.

There is a very long discussion on bokeh going on right now in the forums. More than one, actually. Check under current challenges. :)

ETA: Waddy beat me to it :P

Message edited by author 2008-12-20 13:50:41.

jdannels

Nikon D300s

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

12/20/2008 01:57:59 PM · #5

The exif says this image was shot at with an f-stop of 2.8.

Sigma 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM

12/21/2008 11:33:32 AM · #6

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!

I took the lens out for a test drive to day....the images...AMAZING!!! Can't believe that these images where shot by me:) just love it! And your settings, open the aperture all the way, did the trick ;) thanks!!!

jhomrighaus

Nikon D5300

12/21/2008 01:20:00 PM · #7

Originally posted by Can-on:

Isn't it great how these pieces of glass work? I have an f1.2 MC Rokkor that is without question my favorite lens. Watch out when you are wide open however as the DOF is really narrow. If you are in a darker situation it can be hard to discern where the focus actually is at f1.4 so be prepared for duds and be aware of that when you use the lens for things like family photos.

levyj413

Nikon D7100

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

12/21/2008 01:32:26 PM · #8

Originally posted by Can-on:

In general, remember that lenses are at their sharpest 1-2 stops closed down. This often won't matter if you're using the full image, but if you ever want to extract a small piece of an image, it will. Some lenses are still very sharp all the way open, but it's a good thing to keep in mind.

I'll often shoot something wide open and then try it also stopped down, and then see which I like best.

Welcome to DPC!

Jdroullard

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

12/28/2008 10:52:28 AM · #9

Originally posted by Can-on:

Your profile is empty, how about posting some of those results for the rest of us to enjoy! ;-)

01/14/2009 04:12:25 AM · #10

hehe just put in my first image, I'll still need to wait for a few days to post more since my monitor calibration tool has not arrived yet and the colors are messed up, don't want to post images here that I think are ugly :P

But how do i post an image on the lens profile? under Equipment - Lenses - Sigma - Sigma 50mm f/1.4

Delta_6

01/14/2009 04:28:39 AM · #11

Ya gotta score well enough in a challenge to do that. All those ones shown will have a score under them, that's the mark to beat. Or, if there are none, simply enter a photo that was taken using that lens in a challenge and at the end of the challenge, there it will be.

Message edited by author 2009-01-14 04:30:06.