Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/08/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On Tue, 29 August 2000, Austin Franklin wrote: > > > > > I'd really be curious as to how many SLR users on this list actually > > use > > > > the DOF preview??? > > > > > I do. I find it very valuable for evaluating the degree to which areas > > outside > the plane of focus, both foreground and background, will > > influence the overall > look of the photo. It's particularly useful with > > long lenses and macro > subjects, where out-of-focus elements may appear as > > a wash of color or as > an identifiable although out-of-focus object. If > > I'm stopping down for DOF and > I don't want some extremely out-of-focus > > thing to become identifiable the > DOF preview is quite handy, to say the > > least. > > > > And you can't figure that out by the f-stop you are at, and looking at the > > DOF scale on your lense? Sure it has some use, but how do you determine > > 'in focus' on the darkened fringe of the viewfinder of a 35mm camera? As > > you say, you can probably gauge whether it's 'identifiable' or not...but > > certainly not sharp focus... > > > Austin, > > > I'm not using it to determine if something is going to be in focus. I use the > scales on the lens for that. > > OK, please say more... Austin, I'm not sure how I can explain it better with words - not my native language, ya see ... if I speak in computer code or kodachrome it's a lot easier. For example: http://ourworld.compuserve.comhomepages/telyt/JACKRABB.HTM http://ourworld.compuserve.comhomepages/telyt/HBIRD.HTM http://ourworld.compuserve.comhomepages/telyt/BUOR.HTM http://ourworld.compuserve.comhomepages/telyt/LEGO.HTM in each of these photos there are many out-of-focus elements which, if less out of focus, significantly alter the overall look of the picture. If I wanted more DOF in the main subject I'd use the DOF preview while stopping the lens down so that I can see how wht out-of-focus areas change. If, by stopping down, I can't get the entire main subject within the depth of field without changing the out-of-focus areas unacceptably I'll have to decide where my compromise is. I have some photos where an out-of-focus motor home in the background looks like trees & rocks. The situations where I use the scales on the lens to determine DOF are ususally different circumstances, generally without the large OOF elements shown in the above URLs. Doug Herr Birdman of Sacramento http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/telyt - -------------------------------------------------- Visit the Northwestern Alumni Association portal page at http://www.nualumni.com to get free web-based e-mail and many other exciting features.