Swirly bokeh lenses offer a distinctive look and ability to produce artistic images. If you're interested in photography that goes beyond technical sharpness and explores creative possibilities, this lens might be worth a closer look.
Coming to you from Neil Redfern, this fantastic video showcases the TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 lens, a manual focus lens specifically designed to create an unusual swirly bokeh effect. Redfern emphasizes that this lens isn’t meant to replace your standard professional lenses but instead offers a unique aesthetic that sets your images apart. The lens produces a distinctive swirling pattern around subjects, particularly when shot wide open at f/1.5, ideal for portraits or artistic shoots where background detail enhances the visual appeal. Because it’s manual focus only, Redfern recommends using your camera’s focus peaking and magnification tools to assist in achieving sharp focus.
In practical terms, Redfern shows how deliberate and patient you need to be with manual focus, especially wide open at f/1.5. If you shoot fast-moving subjects or prefer spontaneous photography, this lens might present a challenge. However, with patience and precision, it can yield striking and memorable images. He particularly emphasizes the importance of the right lighting conditions and backgrounds rich in detail to maximize the lens’ swirling effect.
Key Specs
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Focal Length: 75mm
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Maximum Aperture: f/1.5
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Lens Mount: M42 (adapter required)
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Lens Format Coverage: Full frame
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Minimum Focus Distance: 2.5' / 75 cm
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Optical Design: 6 Elements in 4 Groups
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Diaphragm Blades: 13
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Focus Type: Manual Focus
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Image Stabilization: None
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Filter Size: 58 mm (Front)
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Angle of View: 32°
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Aperture Range: f/1.5 to f/16
As Redfern illustrates, composition and positioning play critical roles when working with such specialty lenses. Background choice significantly impacts how pronounced the swirly bokeh appears—busy backgrounds filled with small points of light or detailed textures enhance this effect. Conversely, plain backgrounds or skies will minimize the swirliness, making the lens’ unique properties less visible. He also notes the importance of subject distance, suggesting you experiment with varying distances to achieve optimal results.
Redfern shares practical tips about adapting the lens to modern cameras using an M42 mount adapter, something crucial if you’re considering this lens. He walks through using focus magnification and focus peaking functions, demonstrating how these tools greatly improve accuracy and reduce frustration during shoots. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Redfern.
