David Klepacki
New member
Wow, I am really shocked by this thread. The images being criticized here as being inferior due to the lens aperture designs are actually due to poor lighting control and photographic technique. And, they have nothing to do with bokeh. Bokeh is all about the tonal quality of the out of focus areas. In general, the bokeh from the Zeiss lenses, whether it be from the Hasselblad V or Contax 645, is as good as it gets. Typically, any images containing undesirable specular reflections are from amateur snapshots or photojournalistic situations (like war zone documentary) where lighting control is not possible.
Photography is all about working with and controlling the light. There are professional photographers all over the world who use lenses with 5-blade iris aperture mechanisms, like the Hasselblad V/500 series lenses. In fact, even the latest Rodenstock APO Sironar/HR and Schneider APO digitar lenses, which are used on a wide range of professional cameras including those from Alpa, Linhof and Sinar (even the new arTech) all depend on shutters with 5-blade iris aperture mechanisms. Yet, you do not see see these professional photographers having issues with hex-shaped specular reflections in their work. Why? Because they have the knowledge, skill and expertise in working with light to create their image.
Photography is all about working with and controlling the light. There are professional photographers all over the world who use lenses with 5-blade iris aperture mechanisms, like the Hasselblad V/500 series lenses. In fact, even the latest Rodenstock APO Sironar/HR and Schneider APO digitar lenses, which are used on a wide range of professional cameras including those from Alpa, Linhof and Sinar (even the new arTech) all depend on shutters with 5-blade iris aperture mechanisms. Yet, you do not see see these professional photographers having issues with hex-shaped specular reflections in their work. Why? Because they have the knowledge, skill and expertise in working with light to create their image.