p.112 #10 · Portrait and People Image Thread using Sony
@AGeoJO
Thank you for posting this photo. I was briefly considering the Viltrox 85mm EVO to save some weight/bulk when traveling with my A7CR over my Batis 85mm f1.8. But after seeing this portrait, Never gonna happen.
Zero reflection on you sir, as I rate you as one of the best photogs on FM and I always enjoy your beautiful photos. But the (to me, ugly) bokeh and highlight shapes in this particular photo are not something I have ever seen with my Batis and I do a lot of outdoor portraits. Plus it looks like it front focused on her left shoulder, when I know the Sony AF, if using eye detect, was certainly focused on the eyes.
p.112 #11 · Portrait and People Image Thread using Sony
SpecFoto wrote:
@AGeoJO@
Thank you for posting this photo. I was briefly considering the Viltrox 85mm EVO to save some weight/bulk when traveling with my A7CR over my Batis 85mm f1.8. But after seeing this portrait, Never gonna happen.
Zero reflection on you sir, as I rate you as one of the best photogs on FM and I always enjoy your beautiful photos. But the (to me, ugly) bokeh and highlight shapes in this particular photo are not something I have ever seen with my Batis and I do a lot of outdoor portraits. Plus it looks like it front focused on her left shoulder, when I know the Sony AF, if using eye detect, was certainly focused on the eyes. ...Show more →
@SpecFoto
Thank you for your input! Bokeh rendition is not its forte. As matter of fact, it is pretty much the weakness of pretty much all Viltrox lenses. In my opinion, the best Viltrox lens is the 14mm Air as the bokeh doesn't play much of role due to the UWA nature of the lens.
Indeed, the main reason for me to get the Viltrox is the weight and more for the small foot print of that lens. I wish I could take the GM lens on trips far away from home. Actually, the rendition from the Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN is nicer. I also have the Viltrox 50mm Air with me and here is an image taken with that. What do you think? Again, not the best bokeh rendition but...
p.112 #13 · Portrait and People Image Thread using Sony
AGeoJO wrote:
@SpecFoto@
Thank you for your input! Bokeh rendition is not its forte. As matter of fact, it is pretty much the weakness of pretty much all Viltrox lenses. In my opinion, the best Viltrox lens is the 14mm Air as the bokeh doesn't play much of role due to the UWA nature of the lens.
Indeed, the main reason for me to get the Viltrox is the weight and more for the small foot print of that lens. I wish I could take the GM lens on trips far away from home. Actually, the rendition from the Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN is nicer. I also have the Viltrox 50mm Air with me and here is an image taken with that. What do you think? Again, not the best bokeh rendition but......Show more →
Like the look here Joshua. I actually picked up this lens last year and like the structure of the bokeh 🤷♂️.
p.112 #14 · Portrait and People Image Thread using Sony
SpecFoto wrote:
@AGeoJO@
Thank you for posting this photo. I was briefly considering the Viltrox 85mm EVO to save some weight/bulk when traveling with my A7CR over my Batis 85mm f1.8. But after seeing this portrait, Never gonna happen.
Zero reflection on you sir, as I rate you as one of the best photogs on FM and I always enjoy your beautiful photos. But the (to me, ugly) bokeh and highlight shapes in this particular photo are not something I have ever seen with my Batis and I do a lot of outdoor portraits. Plus it looks like it front focused on her left shoulder, when I know the Sony AF, if using eye detect, was certainly focused on the eyes. ...Show more →
Bokeh is, of course, subjective. But I don’t think you should judge the 85/2 based on the bokeh in one photo. Here is one with the 85 I posted a few months ago. Bokeh is quite nice to my eyes.
p.112 #15 · Portrait and People Image Thread using Sony
AGeoJO wrote:
Indeed, the main reason for me to get the Viltrox is the weight and more for the small foot print of that lens. I wish I could take the GM lens on trips far away from home. Actually, the rendition from the Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN is nicer. I also have the Viltrox 50mm Air with me and here is an image taken with that. What do you think? Again, not the best bokeh rendition but...
The 50mm photo has more acceptable Bokeh no doubt, Joshua. But guess I am spoiled as my Batis 85mm has very good bokeh in harsh, backlit situations, I have seen this over and over since I got it 7 years ago.
I too have the Sigma 65 f2 and it is a wonderful lens. It is 1-1/2 oz less weight than the Batis and the same size as the Viltrox 85, so it would work when I want to save weight/bulk. Or I could go with my Sigma 90mm f2.8 DG DN. My issue is I am trying to fit the A7CR and 4 high IQ prime lenses into a PD 6L sling bag for an upcoming 2-1/2 month trip to SE Asia starting in 8 days. I want to go as light of weight/small as possible. The Batis series is just too bulky for the 6L sling, normally I carry my 4 Batis in a PD 10L sling. The 90mm pairs better with my C/V 21mm f3.5 CS, Sigma 35 f2 DG DN and Zeiss 55mm f1.8 ZA, all 4 fit just fine in the 6L Sling, so I think that's what I will do.
Edit- By switching out the Sigma 35 f2 for the Zeiss 35mm f2.8ZA, I can add the 90mm and the FE 28mm f2. So 5 primes and 2 filter sizes, 49mm and 55mm, with the C/V using a 52 to 55mm stepup ring. Total weight of PD 6L Sling with A7CR, 5 Primes, filters, extra battery, usb charger and a mini Godox flash is 6.5 Lbs/3Kg. Love it!
p.112 #16 · Portrait and People Image Thread using Sony
Sorry for the off topic above. Here is one with my favorite model Brooklyn, taken with the Sigma 90mm at f4.5 and A6700 during the "June Gloom" (no sun season) at Catalina Island.
p.112 #17 · Portrait and People Image Thread using Sony
mudlake wrote:
Bokeh is, of course, subjective. But I don’t think you should judge the 85/2 based on the bokeh in one photo. Here is one with the 85 I posted a few months ago. Bokeh is quite nice to my eyes.
Wonderful image of your wife, Eric! You are right on both counts but specular highlights rendered as bokeh using the Viltrox tend to be,lets we say, busy. In general though, I am okay with the bokeh of the EVO 85mm lens.
p.112 #19 · Portrait and People Image Thread using Sony
SpecFoto wrote:
The 50mm photo has more acceptable Bokeh no doubt, Joshua. But guess I am spoiled as my Batis 85mm has very good bokeh in harsh, backlit situations, I have seen this over and over since I got it 7 years ago.
I too have the Sigma 65 f2 and it is a wonderful lens. It is 1-1/2 oz less weight than the Batis and the same size as the Viltrox 85, so it would work when I want to save weight/bulk. Or I could go with my Sigma 90mm f2.8 DG DN. My issue is I am trying to fit the A7CR and 4 high IQ prime lenses into a PD 6L sling bag for an upcoming 2-1/2 month trip to SE Asia starting in 8 days. I want to go as light of weight/small as possible. The Batis series is just too bulky for the 6L sling, normally I carry my 4 Batis in a PD 10L sling. The 90mm pairs better with my C/V 21mm f3.5 CS, Sigma 35 f2 DG DN and Zeiss 55mm f1.8 ZA, all 4 fit just fine in the 6L Sling, so I think that's what I will do.
Edit- By switching out the Sigma 35 f2 for the Zeiss 35mm f2.8ZA, I can add the 90mm and the FE 28mm f2. So 5 primes and 2 filter sizes, 49mm and 55mm, with the C/V using a 52 to 55mm stepup ring. Total weight of PD 6L Sling with A7CR, 5 Primes, filters, extra battery, usb charger and a mini Godox flash is 6.5 Lbs/3Kg. Love it!
To me the best bokeh rendition are delivered by the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 and the first version of GM 85mm f/1.4. Even the Batis can render some "harsh" bokeh, IMHO. The 50mm, for whatever reasons, does render bokeh nicely, and indeed, a tad more pleasing under certain circumstances. Enjoy your trip to SE Asia.
