Depth of field

[jdando]

here are a couple of examples of shallow and deeper depth of field. By adjusting the f-stop you can blur the background of your images.

Shallow depth of field (f1.6), the shifter is in focus, the background is blurry.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/1/0/2/shallowdof.jpg

Deeper depth of field (f8.0), the shifter is in focus and the background is nearly in focus.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/1/0/2/deepdof.jpg

Tried an artsy shot of the steering wheel, but there just is not any color or details to make this a good shot.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/1/0/2/steeringwheel.jpg



After looking at these shots, it looks like it is time for some spring cleaning on the inside.:coolman:

[oldekid]

Good examples Jeremy! And, you managed to use the Marauder.
:beer:

[ImpalaSlayer]

thats pretty cool. i never new what that ment or did on my old camera. this helps me learn. thanks

[CRUZTAKER]

Oh hell...:P

I love sharing photos...I went and dug it out.
My bad. It was Isla Margarita (off the coast of South America).

Shot with my former Nikon D70 with Tamaron 18-200 at 70mm, ISO 200, and F40. I forgot to check the shutter speed, but I estimate it to be 1/250 or so.

That ship was waaayyyy the hell out there. I asked Gage to pretend to be looking at it for effect.

Gage was 4 at the time, and had my suit shirt on to block sun. ;)
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/6/2/6/ISLAMARGARITA36.JPG

[jdando]

Good job Barry!

jeremy

[CRUZTAKER]

Yeah but a horizonal adjustment with NX would have been a bit more presentable.:rolleyes:

I was really new when I shot that.
I too was testing what I learned in regards to f-stops in my previous classes.

Thank goodness you shoot a lot of Marauder stuff...it get's everyones attention. I then in turn chase everyone away with abstracts.:P

We could could do well here!

BTW: I sure hope you continue to offer your captures...particularly stuff only seen in your neck of the woods.

[Breadfan]

Great stuff Jeremy!

I like these threads and always great examples! Depth of field is one of my favorite effects, it can really bring warmth and depth to a pic, and really accentuate the point of interest in the frame.

I have a few that demonstrate depth of field as well, from my D40, I think these were a mix of lenses the std. 18-55 and a 55-200vr

http://www.ionicflux.com/gallery/albums/october07camping/normal_DSC_00820071.jpg
Aperture:f/5.6 Exposure time: 0.025 s (10/400) (1/40)

http://www.ionicflux.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/normal_DSC_0084.JPG
Aperture:f/5.6 Exposure time: 0.025 s (10/400) (1/40)

http://www.ionicflux.com/gallery/albums/dogsfeb07/normal_004004.jpg
Aperture:f/5.6 Exposure time: 0.001 s (10/16000) (1/1600)

Here's a few from my Canon S3:

http://www.ionicflux.com/gallery/albums/june07nature/normal_IMG_0848202.jpg
Aperture:f/3.5 Exposure time: 0.005 s (1/200)

http://www.ionicflux.com/gallery/albums/june07nature/normal_IMG_0788142.jpg
Aperture:f/3.5 Exposure time: 0.040 s (1/25)

[CRUZTAKER]

Breadfan....if you listed your f-stops on each picture it might enlighten the newbie. ;)

[Breadfan]

Breadfan....if you listed your f-stops on each picture it might enlighten the newbie. ;)

Done!

Now I suppose it's a good point to make that in many of those the background that is out of focus is further away than those in Jeremy's pics. So, bear that in mind as you compare the fstops in each.

[CRUZTAKER]

I gotta tell ya man...I am impressed with your D40.
I was kinda hard in regards to the quality of the lenses offered with that kit, but your f6.5 long lens seems to do well for it's (slower) speed.

How close to the birds were you?
My guess, judging from the equipment used and the quality of the background out-of-focus would be pretty damn close. 35-45mm?

[Breadfan]

I gotta tell ya man...I am impressed with your D40.
I was kinda hard in regards to the quality of the lenses offered with that kit, but your f6.5 long lens seems to do well for it's (slower) speed.

How close to the birds were you?
My guess, judging from the equipment used and the quality of the background out-of-focus would be pretty damn close. 35-45mm?

Thanks! Yeah, the 55-200 isn't that fast a lens and so far I'm happy with some of what I can get with it.

I was about 6-7 feet away, using the 55-200 VR. I was behind a glass door overlooking the back deck, they were on the railing which is about 5-6 ft from the door at that point.

I'm also still in "learning mode" I like these threads I hope to learn more, one thing I find hard is if I go to full manual mode I may take a few tries to get the settings just right for the condition. Also the D40 doesn't have buttons for all settings gotta navigate the OSD menu to change ISO and WB for instance.

[CRUZTAKER]

.... one thing I find hard is if I go to full manual mode I may take a few tries to get the settings just right for the condition. Also the D40 doesn't have buttons for all settings gotta navigate the OSD menu to change ISO and WB for instance.

Having all settings up top on wheels and buttons for others on the back really make things easy. That's why you get a lot, but not everything with an entry level. Still, that thing captures awesome, and you can deal with asthetics in doing so. On your next upgrade, perhaps look at a used D200 at your local private reseller. Or just go all out with a new model something something. Just not a D300...I'd be really jealous.:P

I recently found that shooting the large variety of woodpeckers we get, through window, and 20' to object at full zoom and P-mode often results in slower f-stops and longer shutter speeds to get good color under the trees.
The bird's head is never sharp in the final capture. These guys move around quite a bit.

I suppose my speedlight could easily throw enough light to speed things up and allow faster f-stops....but then I gotta keep the window open for long periods of time waiting for the catch.

I found by shooting manual upwards of 1/5000, with the ISO set at 400-800 (depends entirely on the lighting for the moment), I can step to my lowest 200mm setting...f5.6. The bird is sharp. The background is relatively distorted, and the color is acceptable.

I'll post one here momentarily.

[CRUZTAKER]

No I won't. :P

I had to sort through and I couldn't find a good pair to show as samples because at the time that wasn't my intention. The ones I shot fast at higher ISOs gor really noisy and I 'm too embarrassed to post.

:hide:

[Breadfan]

Yeah when I elected for the D40 cost was a driving factor as much as was experience level. Although I was sure I could grow into something like a D200 the D40 entry level has shown itself to be pretty worthy. You get a high percentage of the "good" although you do make sacrifices.

Either way I agree that the big point of starting out is to focus on learning what the settings do must as much as learning more about framing, lighting, what makes a good pic, etc.

I think you are right a great upgrade would be a D200 (or yeah a D300!) and some really nice lenses to go with it.

Although missing some features and dealing with things like a lack of buttons, digital camera tech moves along fast enough the the entry level bodies will have similar power to the midrange stuff of a year or two back.

Many review sites praised the D40 as a good starter that was also a camera good for taking along for everyday stuff, even more pro-level folks enjoyed it for basic things due to it's light size.

I was afraid when choosing it that I'd end up with a camera I'd be upset with because it wouldn't be enough, but I've been happy with the quality of the images thus far.

I look forward to walking more down the SLR road, it's gonna keep getting better in the digital SLR realm too!

Hopefully you find some more samples to post up! My folks have lots of birds around their place, they have enough feeders and etc it's like a buffet for birds there. ;)

[oldekid]

These were taken with my new Canon 85mm 1.2 lens, and are examples of a very narrow depth of field.


85mm 1.2 @ ISO 50
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l120/JohnTrogdon/Canon%2085L%20Lens/IMG_0323copy.jpg

85mm 1.2 @ ISO 1600
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l120/JohnTrogdon/Canon%2085L%20Lens/IMG_0334copy.jpg

85mm 1.6 @ ISO 200
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l120/JohnTrogdon/Canon%2085L%20Lens/IMG_0315copy.jpg

85mm 1.2 @ ISO 50
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l120/JohnTrogdon/Canon%2085L%20Lens/IMG_0327copy.jpg

[jdando]

85mm 1.2f :eek: That is one sweet lens!

Nice pictures John.

[oldekid]

85mm 1.2f :eek: That is one sweet lens!

Nice pictures John.Thanks Jeremy. It takes some getting used to, and I'm still working on perfecting my focussing technique. It is a sweet (and expensive) lens, and I just had to get it before Canon raised their prices.

Maybe by the time I get good with it, I can get my wife out of hock at the pawn shop. :banana:

[CRUZTAKER]

Very nice...and that lens likely cost as much as a set of KOOKS. :eek:

I am so in need of a fast fixed lens.

So how is the autofocus on it?
Fast?
Quiet?

...or does it favor maunual?

What's it weigh?

[oldekid]

Very nice...and that lens likely cost as much as a set of KOOKS. :eek:

I am so in need of a fast fixed lens.

So how is the autofocus on it?
Fast?
Quiet?

...or does it favor maunual?

What's it weigh?Thanks for the comments CRUZTAKER.

Yes, it's pricey, but will probably hold it's value longer than a set of KOOKs. . . . :)

It's very quiet.

I am still trying to get used to the very shallow focal plane at 1.2. I have made a few changes in the custom settings on my camera just to accomodate this lens. It's not generally considered to be extremely fast at autofocus, but for what I'm planning on using it for, that doesn't matter. So far, I haven't gone manual with it.

It weighs 36.2 ounces. It's a lot of glass.

It's just fun, and it may stay on my camera for a long time. I'm hoping to put it to good use on my Marauder, and car shows.

Still playing.

Both of these were shot at ISO 1600 F/1.2
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l120/JohnTrogdon/Canon%2085L%20Lens/IMG_0337copy.jpg


http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l120/JohnTrogdon/Canon%2085L%20Lens/IMG_0334copy.jpg

[CRUZTAKER]

I was looking at Nikon's 14-24 FIXED f2.8 today...:cloud9:

I am more inclined to buy a wide angle at this time...but dayum...at $1800...that is more than the cost of my D80.

I am definately envoius at this point, and looking forward to your image additions.

I would really like to see you post a human portrait. Say at 70mm or so...with some greenery in the back ground.

[oldekid]

I would really like to see you post a human portrait. Say at 70mm or so...with some greenery in the back ground.CRUZ, it's a fixed 85mm lens. It is great for portrait work. So far, I haven't had an opportunity to do that. When I do, I'll share. :)

[CRUZTAKER]

Duh...I wasn't paying attention.
Perfect as you say indeed for portraits.

Very usefull for birding.

I hate my f5.6 long lens.
Too much goofing in Capture to correct the depth of field.

[arejayesss]

Here are a couple of shots I took from basically the same spot. This displays nicely one of the features of my new D80. It has 11 points of autofocus:eek:

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/arejayesss/DSC_0055.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/arejayesss/DSC_0054.jpg

[oldekid]

Good example.

Here's one taken today while watching the pre-Kentucky Derby shows. Just playing around. :)

85mm f/1.2 @ ISO 1600

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l120/JohnTrogdon/Canon%2085L%20Lens/IMG_0344copy.jpg

[ImpalaSlayer]

i wish i knew a bit more what you guys were talking about
the last one looks pretty cool except your dirty sneeks

[CRUZTAKER]

i wish i knew a bit more what you guys were talking about.....


You can do this yourself with your own eyes.
Stand closely in front of a large screen door, and look at something in the distance.

Now our eyes do what the camera has to be told what to so with settings.
Focus on the screen, and notice how sharp the screen is, but the background distance objects are not.

Now focus on the distance, and notice how the screen seems to disappear.
This works well with chain link fence as well.

Depending on what focal length is chosen on the camera, we can make the the screen of fence in the forground disappear as well.

This is helpfull say at the zoo, or on an outdoor safari shoot where the animals are enclosed.