On Thu, 15 Aug 2002 16:32:01 +0200, "Olaf Ulrich" wrote:

>Roger wrote:
>> For many years I shot almost exclusively
>> with a "new" rig consisting of a N8008 and
>> a 35-70 AF f2.8 Nikkor. Eventually I needed
>> more on either end and added a 24mm and
>> a 85mm. I became very involved with the two
>> new lenses and my kit grew to add a 35mm,
>> 50mm and some manual lenses elsewhere.
>> I've been somewhat dissatisfied with many of
>> my pictures, especially those of people where
>> I was trying for more intimate results. It
>> turned out to be the background that wasn't
>> doing what I wanted. [...]
>> The zoom produced much more of a blended
>> or creamy background that my primes.

>Yes ... many Nikkor lenses are notorious for rendering the
>unsharp background in a harsh and unharmonious way -- it's
>called 'bad bokeh.' Obviously your AF Nikkor 35-70 mm is
>one of the few exceptions among the Nikkor lenses. This is
>not typical for prime lenses vs zoom lenses but a well-known
>Nikon problem.
>
>If you can, try shooting with manual-focus Minolta Rokkor
>or Leica lenses---these generally have good bokeh.

Some of us prefer the "hard-cutting" image of
"bad bokeh" lenses, which can actually aid
achieving good DOF and the appearance of sharpness
for nearly-focused infinity-subjects. Also, some
kinds of images can depend on "bad bokeh" (which
I consider "good bokeh"...;-) - see:
http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/sunplant1.html
for some examples... Thinking that only one style
of representation is ideal is limiting - I find
the concept of a focused "subject", with a soft
"non-subject" surrounding, both boring and
short-sighted - a photograph consists of everything
within the borders of the image, not just part of
it, with other parts relegated to "background"
or "unimportant" status... (all parts of a graphic
image are important). I prefer lenses with "the
problem"...;-)