So if you're in a low-light situation . . .

[markubig]

. . . like a play or a church, for instance, where you cannot use a flash and have to rely on a wide open lens (like my EF50/1.8 or my Tamron 28-75/2.:cool:, is it a best practice to take those photos from a further distance that you normally would?





My knowledge and experience, so far (which is VERY limited) has taught me that when you shoot at very large apetures, your DOF is EXTREMELY thin, thus you can only get so much in focus (and unfortunately, i learned this first-hand . . . many times!!!) I was fooling around in this DOF calculator (http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html) and saw that as I increased subject distance, the DOF became wider.Example:


50mm, f1/8, 5 ft to subject: 0.32ft DOF
50mm, f1/8, 10ft to subject: 1.29ft DOF


So my question again is, when you guys get into these low-light situations, do you move yourself further from your subject than you normally would, in order to ensure focus, and then crop to get closer later in post?



I think i'm learning . . . albeit a bit slow . . . but i'm learning!!! ;) :D ;) :D

[johneric8]

I have the same problems at times. I like to get back and then crop the part of the image I dont want. Try go back far enough to get the DOF how you want . If you have to trim some unwanted parts of the picture that is no biggie. It's a tough one...

[markubig]

Thanx john . . . do you just know what the DOF is at specific focal lengths and apertures or do you carry a DOF table/chart around with you? Is there such a thing as a laminated DOF table/chart or do I have to make my own?

[PhotosGuy]

You probably should print out your own chart specific to your lens & crop factor. Still, if you have to shoot wide open at f/1.8, what difference would a chart make to you? You're stuck with whatever you get. ;)
If you can stop down though, be aware that you can get more apparent dof by not focusing on infinity.
Example: With this lens at f-22, apparent dof is from about 25' to infinity if you set the focus to about 50'.

[Scottes]

. . . like a play or a church, for instance, where you cannot use a flash and have to rely on a wide open lens (like my EF50/1.8 or my Tamron 28-75/2.:cool:, is it a best practice to take those photos from a further distance that you normally would?
A longer focal length will increase camera shake requiring a faster shutter speed and thus a higher ISO and/or a wider aperture which would get less depth of field.

But if you hang back you might have more possibilities to lean on something or find a place to rest the camera - both decrease camera shake, allowing a slower shutter and/or a narrower aperture....

It's all a trade off...

[PacAce]

You probably should print out your own chart specific to your lens & crop factor. Still, if you have to shoot wide open at f/1.8, what difference would a chart make to you? You're stuck with whatever you get. ;)
If you can stop down though, be aware that you can get more apparent dof by not focusing on infinity.
Example: With this lens at f-22, apparent dof is from about 25' to infinity if you set the focus to about 50'.
Hey, what's a Nikon lens doing in a Canon forum? :confused:

:mrgreen: :lol: ;)

[Belmondo]

Hey, what's a Nikon lens doing in a Canon forum? :confused:

:mrgreen: :lol: ;)

The obvious lesson is that you don't use Nikon lenses to take pictures with. You use them to take pictures of.

Academic.

[am_pitbull_terrier]

The obvious lesson is that you don't use Nikon lenses to take pictures with. You use them to take pictures of.

Good Point :lol:

[PhotosGuy]

Oops! Forgot you guys can read. I thought you just came here to look at the pretty pics!

[langer]

Landscape photographers focus 2/3 into the DOF range to ensure maximum focus. eg. if u know f8 will give you sharp picture from 10 - 20 metres you will focus about 3-4 metres so you will get all in focus. If I am making any sense at all??

while moveing away from your subject might give u more DOF but you will also have: people's head in the way, perspective change (perspective is porportional to your distance) depending on the subject you shoot, eg. in a wedding you are gauranteed people will be in your way if you move away from the subject.

[markubig]

Landscape photographers focus 2/3 into the DOF range to ensure maximum focus. eg. if u know f8 will give you sharp picture from 10 - 20 metres you will focus about 3-4 metres so you will get all in focus. If I am making any sense at all??

while moveing away from your subject might give u more DOF but you will also have: people's head in the way, perspective change (perspective is porportional to your distance) depending on the subject you shoot, eg. in a wedding you are gauranteed people will be in your way if you move away from the subject.

Hi Langer,

I understand what you are saying; but as a landscape photographer, don't you have the luxury of using narrower apertures to give you those large DOF? Now if I am shooting in a church with low-light, I don't have that luxury, and thus will have to widen up my aperture. That, combined with close distances would give me paper-thin (i'm exaggerating) DOF right? doesn't that make the 2/3 focus kind of insignificant? Someone please correct me if I am incorrectly understanding this subject

I have a couple of weddings coming up (no, i'm not the official photographer, but I figured I'd get some practice in) and I think there is no flash allowed in the church. In the short amount of time that i've been practicing my photography, my issue has always been with DOF, especially in low-light. I never get good focus on what I want in focus.

[langer]

I am no landscape photographer myself. I usually shoot bands in pubs and concert venues.

Markubig, u're right in saying in a situation like the church you wont have the luxury of small aperature. In situation where you can't get everyone in focus say. you would just have to selectively choose your point of focus. eg. people's eyes. :rolleyes:

[markubig]

In situation where you can't get everyone in focus say. you would just have to selectively choose your point of focus. eg. people's eyes. :rolleyes:
Yeah, i understand. I've done that, but at wide apertures, the eye that i'm focusing on is in focus and the rest of their face isn't . . . I guess I just have to continue practicing to get a better understanding of my camera and lenses.

[musthavemuzk]

Hey, what's a Nikon lens doing in a Canon forum? :confused:

:mrgreen: :lol: ;)

he knew it was a N lens how?
:confused:;)

Monty

[PhotosGuy]

he knew it was a N lens how? The secrets out!!! He's a closet Nikon (ab)user!

[musthavemuzk]

ROTF

Monty