Last Updated on 11/02/2011 by Gevon Servo
Early on in my photography days, when I wanted bokeh in my shots all I had was simple circles. I am not complaining. I love the aesthetic quality of the blur in images. The discovery of shaping that blur with the Bokeh Masters Kit was such a pleasant surprise. It is far above and beyond what I was expecting. It was fun to learn, and even more fun to push the boundaries of my own photography skills with it. Shooting with the Bokeh Masters kit gave me a better understanding of light and the ability to take some trippy images and video.
Testing
Day 1– Getting to know the kit
Day 2– Still Shots
Day 3– Video
Testing Gear
Cheap Holiday lights
Lenses and Use
The Bokeh Masters Kit recommended lens list does include zoom lenses such as Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 or Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6. I have a Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 DG Macro, reviewed here. It worked with that lens also. I almost forgot to do this test. I did this test hand held with Nikon SB-600
Light & Metering
Because the Bokeh Masters Kit covers a large part of the lens the usable light is lowered by a few stops. I discovered that using the Spot or Center weighted metering was the best. Raising the ISO did not have an effect on the quality of the bokeh. When the ISO was past 1200 it only added noise. The bokeh was still there.
Best Uses
My favorite uses of the Bokeh Masters kit were product photography and artistic photography. I did not get a chance to shoot portraits with it, but that would work well also. When Chris Gampat first tested it, he did shoot a quick portrait and The Bokeh Masters Kit showed much potential there.
Video
The Bokeh Masters Kit is great with videos. This was my most challenging part of the review. I actually learned something. I never really expected to shoot video before this, but it was fun. The Bokeh Masters Kit shines with video because it works to frame everything out and make sure your lighting is correct. The bokeh master will do its job as it should.
Focus
Auto focus was not the fastest with the Bokeh Master Kit but it worked. Manual focused worked well also. Using the center focus point worked the best for the kit, but you don’t have to limit yourself to it.
Complaints
None.
Quality of kit
Installation is ultra easy. I replaced the rubber band with a black hair scrunchy thingy, (I have a daughter) that just made everything black. I left it on the camera and just threw it in my bag in a rush, on many occasions and it held up nicely, I was never worried about breaking it.
Compared to a LensBaby
You can save yourself some cash and get a Bokeh masters kit. Don’t have one of the recommended lenses? Well A Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens and Nikon Normal AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D or 50mm 1.8 lens from the other SLR’s brands are around $100. If you add Bokeh Masters kits, it will all cost less than the price of a LensBaby with the accessories needed for bokeh, and is about ten times easier to use. Granted, the LensBaby has some great uses but if you just want bokeh the Bokeh Masters Kit is the way to go.
Who should buy it?
Any photographer who is a fan of bokeh should have this. The Bokeh Masters Kit is a cost effective and fun way to add a twist to your regular photography. Keep it with any of your prime lenses that it fits. You will find uses for it, especially in low light with lots of city lights in the back ground. The Holidays should really be amusing with all the decorative lights out, lots of fun possibilities.
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