Sigma 56 F1.4 on M6II versus RF 85 F2 on R

Alastair Norcross wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

lumenite wrote:

I appreciate your comparison as I was wondering how DXO PL5 works. I couldn't think that DXO's sharpening may spoil bokeh until seeing your comparison.

Actually it was the Micro Contrast setting that messed up the bokeh, since it was applied globally (it normally comes defaulted at 0). I only apply Micro Contrast locally to areas of my choosing, such as a low contrast subject. It does work very well for that.

R2

Exactly. Actually, doing this comparison got me to change my PL5 defaults, and turn down micro contrast and reduce the clear view setting too. I always turn them down for people shots where I don't want the skin to show lots of texture (some people shots I do want to look like that, but most not), so I've found myself turning them down more often than leaving them at my default settings recently. If you find yourself changing particular default settings in the same direction for most of your images, it's time to change your defaults. I'm still learning PL5, and how the settings differ from LR.

Really good that you are spreading the word on this. Kudos!

Last week I was freezing my butt off in -15 F temps (and 45 mph winds) in Northern Minnesota chasing after the highly elusive Great Grey Owl (in the US at least), and on the last day we finally spotted one (after our guide had deserted us ).

This hot mess of a shot was the best I could do, but it illustrates how any increase in the Micro Contrast would have Completely ruined it (the bokeh is so darn busy). I did have to apply a +50 Micro Contrast locally on the owl alone however to help it stand out...

Canon R5, Rf 100-500 + 1.4x.  1/640 sec @ f/10, ISO 3200,   Resized 2160 high, uncropped. DxO PL5. Click on "original size"

R2