G9 Depth of Field??

[bmw64]

I just got a G9 and I want to work with Depth of Field alot so that the background is blurred out. I still have 1 week to return the camera and I'm worndering if I should exchange it for a DSRL camera. Can I still get good Depth of Field with this camera if I buy a lens or should I just exchange it for a DSRL?

[SolidxSnake]

I just got a G9 and I want to work with Depth of Field alot so that the background is blurred out. I still have 1 week to return the camera and I'm worndering if I should exchange it for a DSRL camera. Can I still get good Depth of Field with this camera if I buy a lens or should I just exchange it for a DSRL?



I wouldn't expect you to be able to. DOF is a function of sensor size, lens aperture and subject distance. The smaller the sensor size, the greater DOF, the narrower the aperture, the greater DOF, the smaller the distance to the subject, the greater DOF. Since the sensor is so small in the G9 = wide DOF = no OOF backgrounds.

I wouldn't step up to a dSLR though. It's comparing apples to oranges.

[Jman13]

If you want DOF control, you really need an SLR. The only time the G9 is really going to get a significantly blurred background is in macro mode. For regular objects, even at full zoom and f/4.8 aperture, you're going to have an awful lot in focus.

Considering a Rebel XT with lens is only slightly more expensive than the G9, I'd go for it, if you are OK with a non-compact body. I'm insane, so I carry my full 30D kit with all lenses 90% of the time...I don't mind the weight, and I certainly don't mind the size...the majority of the time. I have the G9 for quality imaging possibilities at times I don't want to (or can't) bring my SLR (Amusement parks, nights out with friends, etc).

[JeffreyG]

I just got a G9 and I want to work with Depth of Field alot so that the background is blurred out. I still have 1 week to return the camera and I'm worndering if I should exchange it for a DSRL camera. Can I still get good Depth of Field with this camera if I buy a lens or should I just exchange it for a DSRL?

If shallow DOF is important to you then return the G9 and get a dSLR.

You can get shallow DOF with a small sensor digicam, but the circumstances are limiting. You must use the longer end of the zoom range and you must focus on a subject that is close to the camera. The outcome of that is that (for people shots) it is pretty hard to blur the background on anything wider than a tight head shot.

If you get a dSLR look at getting one or two fast prime lenses (single focal length). The slow kit zooms are better than a G9 for subject isolation, but still they are not in the "what background" class.

Canon 5D, 85mm, f/2, 1/100, ISO800

[CJinAustin]

I just got a G9 and I want to work with Depth of Field alot so that the background is blurred out. I still have 1 week to return the camera and I'm worndering if I should exchange it for a DSRL camera. Can I still get good Depth of Field with this camera if I buy a lens or should I just exchange it for a DSRL?

Exchange it... It will blur a little and make the subject pop, but if you want a nice blur where you can't even tell what the background is.... pretty much impossible on the G9 except in certain situations.

[bmw64]

ok thanks, looks i'll be returning it!

[GordonSBuck]

ok thanks, looks i'll be returning it!

Be sure to get a large aperture lens (low f-stop number) along with the DSLR.

[Canon_Owner]

Be sure to get a large aperture lens (low f-stop number) along with the DSLR.

Yes the f-stop is very important and f2.8 isn´t any good

Good luck!

[JeffreyG]

Yes the f-stop is very important and f2.8 isn´t any good

Good luck!

Trust me, f/2.8 lenses on what Canon calls an APS-C dSLR is quite capable of creating a blurred out background. Faster primes can do it in even more situations (closer backgrounds, wider framing) but f/2.8 is by no means slow on a dSLR format.

As for the above post with the bird shot.....this illustrates the point really on the G9. The background is fairly well blurred out but the framing is very tight. We are talknig abot a dove here. The same framing of a person would barely include a whole face. Now try that shot while framing a person from the waist up and poof.....infinity focus is reached.

[Aweitzel]

I havent really got to understand DOF. However i really want to. I use the G9, and my freind that goes on alot of shoots with me uses The XT. And his "Blurry background" and subject in focus Blows mine away. Partly cause he knows what he is doing. However im not sure if this is a good example, but i got a nice background blur on this shot. Full auto none the less i had the for maybe a day or two. Sorry for the large image, i still havent got uploading right either.

[JeffreyG]

I havent really got to understand DOF. However i really want to. I use the G9, and my freind that goes on alot of shoots with me uses The XT. And his "Blurry background" and subject in focus Blows mine away. Partly cause he knows what he is doing. However im not sure if this is a good example, but i got a nice background blur on this shot. Full auto none the less i had the for maybe a day or two. Sorry for the large image, i still havent got uploading right either.

Here is a very basic less/more understanding.

Less DOF / More DOF:
Low f/# / High f/#
Longer focal length / Shorter focal length
Closer subject / Further subject

So small format cameras like the G9 are generally described as having large DOF because for the same framing the G9 uses shorter focal lengths than a larger format dSLR like a Rebel.

All of the G9 shallow DOF shots that you will find are ones that include very tight framing. Tight framing means long focal length shots of close subjects - the two bird shots in this thread meet that criteria. The second bird shot is not as tight as the dove shot, but that is compensated by the background being much further away.

[Streetshooter]

Funny,

I've spent my entire life trying to get everything in some sort of focus...and now here's a problem with the exact opposite.....

funny

[versedmb]

Get an XT and a cheap ($80) 50mm f/1.8 lens. Taken with this combo...



http://www.brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/253032433_6EqPJ-M.jpg

[mlav]

In macro mode, short DOF is possible! ;)

[Pete]

In macro mode, short DOF is possible! ;)

Exactly right.

http://www.the-aperture.com/EE/photos/normal/20080406_IMG_0161_Edit.jpg

[racingsafetyman]

Here's another to show what the G9 can do:

265087

[suesue]

I was just gonna post this same question.

I have a Canon Powershot A720 IS