Just how shallow DoF can M43 achieve - car photography

[Bl0at3r]

This is not intended to knock M43 and is not intended to start a DSLR vs M43 argument, but....

I am really interested in whether I can achieve the type of shallow DoF/subject isolation/3d effect automative photos that I like without adding a fake PS background blur.

A quick google images example (not sure what camera/lens this was with):

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I own 20mm and 14mm Panasonic primes for m43 and have access to (through work) a D800 with 50mm f1.8 and 85mm 1.4 and a 5D2 with the 24-105 f4 lens so know what FF can do.

I assume I'd need to buy a lens as not really succeeded with the 14 or 20 primes - can a Pan 42.5mm or Oly 75mm achieve the same results? Or even the 35-100 2.8 Pan?

 

[Bl0at3r]

Another example...

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[Bl0at3r]

Ok some quick and completely un-scientific tests with a small selection of the lenses I had to hand... oh, and sorry the car is dirty

Nikon D800 with 50mm @ f1.4

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Nikon D800 with 85mm @ f1.4

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Panasonic GX1 with 20mm @ f1.7

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Panasonic GX1 with 14-42 @ 42mm f5.6

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[Bl0at3r]

D800 with 50mm @ f1.4

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D800 with 85mm @ f1.4

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Panasonic GX1 with 20mm @ f1.7

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Panasonic GX1 with 14-42 @ 42mm f5.6

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[Bl0at3r]

And some lovely full frame 85mm f1.4 bokeh..

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[Bl0at3r]

And the 20mm and f1.7...

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And here is a 20mm @ f1.7 shot I took before with a little bit of bokeh...
View attachment 375750
Vee Dub by thebloater, on Flickr

 

[Bl0at3r]

So what does any of that prove? no idea

It didn't help that I wasn't really comparing like for like - ideally would have tested with the 42.5mm f1.2 or the 45mm f1.8 against the 85mm Nikon, but I don't own either of those - yet!

On another forum I learnt that if I am comparing say the Nikon 85mm f1.4 with M43, I would need a 42.5mm f0.7 to achieve equivalent background blur. Or the Nikon 50mm f1.8 I would need a 25mm f0.95.

 

[barry]

Voightlander has some f0.95 lenses for mft.

Or borrow a Pana 42.5 or Oly 45 or 75 and try them; they won't have as much blur as FF, but they may well be satisfactory.

Barry


Sent from my iPad using Mu-43

 

[RobWatson]

Nikon 85mm F1.4used in conjunction with Metabones speedbooster nets ~60mm F1.2 which renders fairly well. When I get home I'll post some shots for kicks.

 

[F/Stop]

as for a native lens, the 75mm 1.8 MIGHT be close... but the reference image has alot of background compression, probably a 200 f/2 or somewhere close to the focal length.. just my guess.. but you never know, could be a 85 1.2 canon

 

[Petrochemist]

Nikon 85mm F1.4used in conjunction with Metabones speedbooster nets ~60mm F1.2 which renders fairly well. When I get home I'll post some shots for kicks.

The 50mm /1.4 I was using today on a RJ focal converter is a cheaper option that also works pretty well. Due to the bright sunshine though I had to shut down the aperture somewhat even with a CPL mounted my G5 couldn't handle the light.