Focus distances

[kowen]

Hello all,

Just a message about my findings with focus settings for my camera, maybe others might have different results.

I had the camera in manual focus mode, and took some shots at different "click stops" from infinity using the main dial. Here's what I got from the EXIF information:

from Infinity, at different stops closer in: stop 1: 66 meters; stop 2: 32 meters; stop 3: 22meters; stop 4: 14.2 meters; stop 5: 10 meters:, stop 6: 8.7 meters.

Kerry

[NILOLIGIST]

kowen,

I have a question, how do I set the focus to " INFINITY ". even if you think it is stupid, please answer because I am confused. Is there a special setting, I have read and tried and I don't think I am getting it. I don't see as far as the eye can see. Or perhaps I am but not sure. LOL

Thank you confused,

[satnitefever]

niloligist wrote:
kowen,

I have a question, how do I set the focus to " INFINITY ". even if you think it is stupid, please answer because I am confused. Is there a special setting, I have read and tried and I don't think I am getting it. I don't see as far as the eye can see. Or perhaps I am but not sure. LOL

Thank you confused,


hmm

When you go on manual mode, press MF(Manual function), on the right hand side, you should see a bar with units on the side, use the scrool and scroll from LEFT to RIGHT.. You will see a symbol, I suppose that stands for inifinity.

[ckhaos]

kowen wrote:
Just a message about my findings with focus settings for my camera, maybe others might have different results.

I had the camera in manual focus mode, and took some shots at different "click stops" from infinity using the main dial. Here's what I got from the EXIF information:

from Infinity, at different stops closer in: stop 1: 66 meters; stop 2: 32 meters; stop 3: 22meters; stop 4: 14.2 meters; stop 5: 10 meters:, stop 6: 8.7 meters.


Hello,

Firstly, what EXIF reader are you using? I couldn't see the distance information in my EXIF.

Secondly, do these distances depend on your focal length? I would guess yes, because there are different number of clicks at both the wide and the tele ends, so your data is probably only valid at the focal length you used to arrive at these figures.

[kowen]

Frederique-

I use manual focus in Av, Tv, M, C1 or C2 mode. I don't really use P (program) or AUTO mode. Like Snf said, press the little MF button on the right of the viewfinder on the back of the camera. Keep turning the dial on the handgrip until you see the infinity symbol-looks like an 8 turned sideways-up the bar on the right in your LCD screen.

ONCE you get to where you want the focus, press the * button on the back, above the function button-it will lock the focus-and you can press the MF (manual focus) button again just in case the zoom square is in the middle, to make that disappear-it will still lock. It may keep that focus for your next shot (as long as you don't go through the preview mode (the lever under the off button). My AF mode is single, not continuous.

I believe manual focus is good for close-up or even macro work. For distance shooting, I try to set the camera at infinity when it calls for that, because the focus settings on the G3 at 28.8mm (telephoto) on mine anyhow, go from 66 meters to infinity-so anything beyond 66 meters, I will sometimes focus at infinity.

That DOF Master download software I mentioned previously will show what will be in focus, since we don't have DOF scales on our G3 lenses. My EOS lenses don't have dof scales either-don't like that, but my Canon FD lenses do-comes in handy.

http://dfleming.ameranet.com/dofjs.html

Here is the link to that site in case someone else might be interested. At this page, I just typed in 216.53 feet (66 meters), using 28.8 focal length, at f/8. It shows a near limit of 44.9 feet of acceptable sharpness, Infinity is the far limit, and a hyperfocal distance of 56.8 feet. The hyperfocal distance of 56.8 is what you set the focus to (if possible) to get a 44.9 ft. to infinity range of focus.

Notice at 7.2 (wide) focal length, the 216 ft. at f/8 gives you way more depth of field: a near limit of 3.49 ft., infinity is the far limit, the hyperfocal distance-focus setting-is 3.57 ft.. Just as my 35 or 28 slr lens would-just about everything is in focus with the aperture stopped down.
The site will explain the in depth particulars of all this. A guy at G3 Yahoo forums asked about focus/aperture settings for landscapes for a future vacation to Hawaii (we should all be so lucky...), and another member suggested the site.

The same guy said, after trying the DOF master software, that he might use one of the C1 or C2 settings to have the camera at maximum DOF/focus for scenery. Bright daylight would definitely allow an f/8 aperture to help that-I thought that was a good idea-preset maximum DOF/focus settings. Once you get a few scales made, you can write down settings to keep in your camera bag. I am tempted to get a Palm Pilot to download this to, but instead just refer to my downloaded software. I like this site-keep it bookmarked, since I am used to having a dof scale on my older manual cameras, and I think the software is helpful to get the sharpest photos for landscape or other shots. Sorry to rattle on about it...best regards,

Kerry

P.S. You can't be too confused being in the computer business-I'm impressed!! I use a book for reference to make HTML pages for when I will upgrade my website (one day....). I don't understand having a license for something like Photoshop 6 or 7. i just know I'd have to buy it, and PS 5LE or Elements is okay with me.

[kowen]

ckhaos,

I use Breezebrowser & Downloader for downloading and saving my files. v2.6a has just released, and be sure to get downloader if you do.

http://www.breezesys.com/index.html

All the EXIF info is shown when you open your file thumbnail in it's folder, and it will show a thumbnail view of your whole folder, so you can easily choose photos. Mine are filed by date-it is a good program to help organize your photos. I used to transfer my EXIF info into one file, but I don't anymore-once you do that, the file cannot be reconverted (RAW files)- also, I like the information handy right there to read.

The distances I posted up there were for the telephoto setting-28.8mm . Dumbbell forgot to clarify that :) I did not do this for the wide setting or other focal lengths, and I did not keep those reference pictures. I just wanted to see for myself what the deal was.

And I do use auto focus at times, but it looks like more than a few times the camera focused too close-2-3 feet after looking at the EXIF info for a subject much further away. Some photos would seem okay, but some look soft. Auto focus can be okay for close focus-just depends on the image.

I mainly don't trust it but use it for grab shots. I guess I am used to being able to see where my focus is on my lenses, and just don't trust a camera that won't/cannot give a precise readout. The scale on the camera's LCD screen is approximate, says the G3's manual, by the way. Hope this helps-

Kerry

[NILOLIGIST]

I have done that..Wasn't sure if that was it...LOL..It took a lot for me to ask, thank you so much for answering me.

Biggest Smile Ever,

[NILOLIGIST]

kowen,

As usual, a WOW response. That was really great, I bookmarked the site. You answered my question fully. I tried it, I never even noticed the infinity sign...LOL...I know D U H ....

Well, thank you and everyone that responded. Althought I felt really stupid for asking, I am glad I did.

Biggest Smile in the world,

[kowen]

Frederique (and to anyone else),

Thank you, and don't hesitate to ask, it takes the burden off the one who might be scared to ask; this forum is here to help so we can all learn, and more than a few are willing to give answers. If I give the wrong information someone will surely enlighten me, or if someone has a better way, I'm sure they will contribute-it can only help us all.

Best regards, and keep shooting (pictures)
Kerry

[NILOLIGIST]

kowen,

Thanks as usual you are a graceous leader and educator. It takes patients to deal with newbies and the like, it also takes a leadership role with a bit of humbleness.

Thank you,