12-10-2010, 05:37 PM
I have no doubt it is possible, at least in big aperture lens cases, the only question being how effective will it be and if there are any excessive side effects.
Have you ever tried shaped bokeh? Placing a mask on the front of the lens does not result in hard vignetting like too thick filters. Extension in front is different from blocking parallel to the front element. It does by definition reduce the aperture so you get the effects associated with that like light loss. What I'm proposing is instead of a hard mask, to use a gradual one. Just like ND grad filters, but instead of a linear pattern it will be radial.
I do not expect, for example, to convert a random cheap lens into a STF direct replacement, but if this method can assist with more pleasing bokeh without major side effects I think it is worth a try.
And to try I have a relatively simple idea to implement it. Simply create the pattern and print it onto transparency. Then cut that into the right size and see what happens! The cost is insignificant compared to most camera stuff. I just need to order some...
Have you ever tried shaped bokeh? Placing a mask on the front of the lens does not result in hard vignetting like too thick filters. Extension in front is different from blocking parallel to the front element. It does by definition reduce the aperture so you get the effects associated with that like light loss. What I'm proposing is instead of a hard mask, to use a gradual one. Just like ND grad filters, but instead of a linear pattern it will be radial.
I do not expect, for example, to convert a random cheap lens into a STF direct replacement, but if this method can assist with more pleasing bokeh without major side effects I think it is worth a try.
And to try I have a relatively simple idea to implement it. Simply create the pattern and print it onto transparency. Then cut that into the right size and see what happens! The cost is insignificant compared to most camera stuff. I just need to order some...
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