Here’s something that’s always bugged me: more than a few photographers have said that the Nikkor 200mm f/2.0 AI-S has “good bokeh.”

One reviewer said is has, “wonderfully smooth bokeh in every sense of the word.” Another claims that, “creates one of the smoothest bokeh.” Still another says it, “has extraordinary bokeh.”

The problem stems from the confusion between selective focus and bokeh. Photographers shoot with this lens wide open and are awed by the huge – and useful – selective focus capable with this lens.

That’s not bokeh. In fact, this lens has some of the rattiest bokeh in my bag.

It still frustrates me that well into the 21st century, we misuse and misunderstand basic language, often simply to sound smart or authoritative.