[Brightcolours]

Lomskij, that you do not like octagonal highlights is fine. The shape of the highlights is something quite separate from the quality of bokeh though, they are two totally different aspects in out of focus areas.



So, if one dislikes octagonal highlights when stopped down, it is fine to prefer a lens which has rounder highlights when stopped down. The same as preferring a lens with nicer bokeh to a lens with lesser bokeh.



Same with the Canon EF 35mm f2, compared with the Nikon AF-S 35mm f1.8 DX. The Canon has 5-sided highlights when stopped down, and the Nikon has rounded highlights. I actually find the 5 sided highlights charming, but that is taste related and sometimes they can be distracting for sure. The bokeh of the Canon is a lot smoother though, the Nikon having a rather nasty bokeh quality.



So, yes, it is what one prefers. You would be more happy with the Nikon (round highlights), I am more happy with the Canon (better rendering of OOF areas).