1dMkII - Does it have DEP-AE mode?

[J Rabin]

IdMkII owners, could you please inform me if it has DEP-AE, depth of field, mode EOS 3 and EOS 7x have? I find this useful as AF lenses no longer have DoF marks on both sides of distance, and miss DEP-AE on my 20D. That, a real VF to compose, ISO in VF, and about 3-5 other features are drawing me to upgrade while rebate is on. Thanks. J.

[jbradc]

no, it does not have A-DEP mode.

[PacAce]

no, it does not have A-DEP mode.
Nor does it have the more practical DEP mode. According to Chuck Westfall, they left it out to make room in the already tight code for other more uesful functions.

[J Rabin]

Thanks PacAce.
I meant the useful DEP mode, not the crippled useless A-DEP on my 20D. How are we supposed to do hyperfocal on landscapes without DEP and without f/stop arrows around the distance window? Why'd they take them off lenses, even L lenses? Am I stupid?
I''m going to go home tonight and make myself a paper hyperfocal cheat sheet for the 17-40mm L and put in my camera bag. I still may go for the 1dMkII if my supervisor says OK. Having a real VF for composition helps avoid ending up with distracting elements in the photo I didn't see. Add ISO in the VF, soft vertical release, etc., it's a winner. J

PS: Having a large VF is impt. In this cluttered image at the Rutgers University Plant/Turf Diagnostic Lab, had I had a bigger VF, I would have removed the sick tomato plant behind left arm, sand under the sample, pink clip, etc. BTW, the capturing the microscope light true yellow against the green of putting green bent grass... I just love Canon digital...J
http://postit.rutgers.edu/uploads/Plant%20Diagnostic%20Lab%2Etif

[RichardtheSane]

Are you talking about the lack of a DOF scale on Zooms?
This is for technical reasons as the DOF changes at diffrent focal lengths. All my autofocus primes have the DOF scale.

[J Rabin]

Are you talking about the lack of a DOF scale on Zooms?
This is for technical reasons as the DOF changes at diffrent focal lengths. All my autofocus primes have the DOF scale.

Yes, I meant zooms, but even my newer prime has "incomplete range" of printed f/stops on them. At least you''ve given me a satisfactory explanation of why they leave it off. I'll have to make the cheat sheet by focal length and f/stop..
Thanks. J.

[tim]

I've never used that mode myself, though it could come in handy for group shots I guess. Any thoughts on that mode for group shots anyone?

[J Rabin]

Tim. Near-far landscape compositions with wide angle. That's use I was seeking. J

I've never used that mode myself, though it could come in handy for group shots I guess. Any thoughts on that mode for group shots anyone?

[tim]

Tim. Near-far landscape compositions with wide angle. That's use I was seeking. J

I was just wondering how useful it would be for shooting groups if you're reasonably close to them using a wide angle lens. Since the distance to each person varies according to their position, you need to set the aperture so the depth of field is wide enough to include everyone. You could use experience or tables to do that, but it'd be tricky, I was thinking A-DEP might be a good automatic way to do it.

[J Rabin]

Tim. My experience is A-DEP is a useless cripple feature because you don't control the [near-far] focus points. I doubt it would function with groups at a table. I'd rather just f/8-f/11 with WA lens, flash, and bang away. My need is from 1-2-3 meters to infinity. Thanks. J

[kufel]

and for landscapes you might try f/22....focus on 10m with w/a lens and everything should be taken care of...

[griff2]

A-DEP is about as useful as a chocolate teapot. Seriously, I've tried this mode, but it's not very succesfull, it's better to know your DOF, in the first place.

J Rabin wrote:
PS: Having a large VF is impt. In this cluttered image at the Rutgers University Plant/Turf Diagnostic Lab, had I had a bigger VF, I would have removed the sick tomato plant behind left arm, sand under the sample, pink clip, etc.


Lab shots are difficult at the best of times, unless you can get close enough to the subject, or the lab's really big and you have lots of space to play with, it's often better to remove the background entirely in postprocessing.