Nikon lenses with "defocus control" at DVinfo.net

Phil Bloom · September 29th, 2007, 11:56 AM

Just bought a 105mm f2 nikon 35mm lens for my Brevis with something called DC, defocus control.

I have been reading about it and it is supposed to effect the out of focus attributes to portrait shots where you have a shallow DOF.

It has a dial at the front of the lens with the actual lens fstops labelled twice, once to the front and once to the rear.

I tested it with my Brevis (CF1L), JVC HD201.

Here are three photos of the three extemes. The first is at neutral, the second is front max and the second is rear max. The lens is wide open at f2.

Sorry about the model, couldn't find anyone pretty so I came across this hobo who was very accomodating.

As you can see the focal length altered a fair bit when using either effect.

You gotta love that clean, crips brevis image.

I tried it with the CF3L but I saw too much grain pattern with it. As expected as this diffuser only is usable with really fast lenses.

Matthew Nayman · September 29th, 2007, 04:58 PM

Always loved that lens. Almost bought it myself. Went with the 105mm 2.8 macro instead. Now that's a fine lens.

Jon Wolding · September 29th, 2007, 05:45 PM

I don't see any difference between the 2nd and 3rd grabs.

All three look great though (minus the "water marks" ala dust on the GG).

Ben Winter · September 29th, 2007, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Wolding

I don't see any difference between the 2nd and 3rd grabs.

All three look great though (minus the "water marks" ala dust on the GG).

Yea I agree. A more appropriate test would be specular highlights (ala faraway light sources) in the background.

Dennis Wood · September 30th, 2007, 11:22 AM

Phil, I can see the DOF shallow out as you dial in/out focus. I'd like to see the spec highlights (LED christmas lights work well) at f2.8 or so. Dialling a stop or so of aperture tightens up the bokeh nicely as the aperture blades begin to define it. Another interesting effect is to rack in/out focus on the video camera lens. Sounds strange but at the imaging element close focus distance, it provides incredible specular highlight treatments using the video camera's aperture instead of the taking lens aperture. Obvioulsy you'd need to set back focus again after, but cams like the XH-A1 have presets which you could use. In other words, set the preset, deliberately offset focus, and re-engage.

Paul Gale · July 26th, 2009, 03:49 AM

Hi Phil,

Have you used this lens much - wondering if it makes much of a difference on daytime portrait/IV type shots?

I've just got an SG Blade and building up my Nikon lens collection and wondered if a DC lens would be much use? BTW, the Blade is excellent :)

Paul.

Paul Gale · August 22nd, 2009, 03:24 AM

Anyone else used a DC lens and care to comment?

Thanks.

September 29th, 2007, 11:56 AM	#1
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	Nikon lenses with "defocus control" Just bought a 105mm f2 nikon 35mm lens for my Brevis with something called DC, defocus control. I have been reading about it and it is supposed to effect the out of focus attributes to portrait shots where you have a shallow DOF. It has a dial at the front of the lens with the actual lens fstops labelled twice, once to the front and once to the rear. I tested it with my Brevis (CF1L), JVC HD201. Here are three photos of the three extemes. The first is at neutral, the second is front max and the second is rear max. The lens is wide open at f2. Sorry about the model, couldn't find anyone pretty so I came across this hobo who was very accomodating. As you can see the focal length altered a fair bit when using either effect. You gotta love that clean, crips brevis image. I tried it with the CF3L but I saw too much grain pattern with it. As expected as this diffuser only is usable with really fast lenses. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net Last edited by Phil Bloom; September 29th, 2007 at 01:40 PM.

September 29th, 2007, 04:58 PM	#2
Matthew Nayman Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 917	Always loved that lens. Almost bought it myself. Went with the 105mm 2.8 macro instead. Now that's a fine lens.

September 29th, 2007, 05:45 PM	#3
Jon Wolding Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 195	I don't see any difference between the 2nd and 3rd grabs. All three look great though (minus the "water marks" ala dust on the GG).

September 30th, 2007, 11:22 AM	#5
Dennis Wood Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 916	Phil, I can see the DOF shallow out as you dial in/out focus. I'd like to see the spec highlights (LED christmas lights work well) at f2.8 or so. Dialling a stop or so of aperture tightens up the bokeh nicely as the aperture blades begin to define it. Another interesting effect is to rack in/out focus on the video camera lens. Sounds strange but at the imaging element close focus distance, it provides incredible specular highlight treatments using the video camera's aperture instead of the taking lens aperture. Obvioulsy you'd need to set back focus again after, but cams like the XH-A1 have presets which you could use. In other words, set the preset, deliberately offset focus, and re-engage.

July 26th, 2009, 03:49 AM	#6
Paul Gale Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 425	Hi Phil, Have you used this lens much - wondering if it makes much of a difference on daytime portrait/IV type shots? I've just got an SG Blade and building up my Nikon lens collection and wondered if a DC lens would be much use? BTW, the Blade is excellent :) Paul.

August 22nd, 2009, 03:24 AM	#7
Paul Gale Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 425	Anyone else used a DC lens and care to comment? Thanks.