The blurry background effect from large aperture lenses and shallow depths of field; can that be done via photoshop in anyway? Trying to decide whether to buy one of these:

http://www.adorama.com/CA5018AFU.html

Kind of a spontaneous purchase. Leaving for Nepal in two weeks; plan to take lots of pictures of people. Would like the lens, but not sure I should spend that money on it right now. Not positive I'll use it, but could be interesting to play with...

 

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I love that lens, it rarely comes off my camera. Awesome for portrait shots in particular but not bad all around.

Just to give you an idea of the quality, some snapshots without any PP done on them:

http://www.cerevisi.net/photos/?levelicture&id=336

http://www.cerevisi.net/photos/?levelicture&id=324

http://www.cerevisi.net/photos/?levelicture&id=333

All of these were taken using that lens too:

http://www.cerevisi.net/photos/?level=album&id=14

 

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There are several advantages to having a larger aperture.


1. You can get that nice blurry out of focus effect (Bokeh)

2. You get faster shuttertimes in less light, leading to less movement unsharpness.

3. Since most lenses are at their sharpest after you stop down a step or two, you can get the better results, and still maintain a nice bokeh, and while shooting in less light.


I recently got a 50mm f/1.2, and so far I absolutely love it!


My grandma:



EXIF: Focus: 50 mm | Shutter: 1/400 sec | Aperture: f 2.8 | ISO: 200 | Camera: NIKON D300

 

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I have that lens, too. Color and sharpness are great. Tremendous value for the money. Excellent portrait lens.

I think I got it new off of B&H for $85 about a year back, but they have it for the same price Amazon does right now.

 

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^This^.

I would never use PS to get my DOF.

 

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