Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/09/08
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Since using a rangefinder, my DOF has become much shallower because the RF lenses I have are, for the most part, better than my Nikon SLR lenses were. I use the markings on the lens for some things, but I tend to shoot wide open or nearly so for most subjects. My preference is to remove the distractions in the background by throwing them into a sea of bokeh. When I do want some background in focus, then I go for the optimum aperture (which is usually f/8) and rely on hyperfocal settings. JLS At 07:33 AM 9/8/2002 -0700, you wrote: >Just been looking through some of the photos referenced in the last digest. >While looking at Neal's sunflowers, it hit me (the question, not the >sunflower). How do you rangefinder people know the appropriate f-stop to >use to get the DOF you want? I know there is a DOF scale, but that doesn't >tell you how a particular background will react to a given f-stop. Do you >take many photos at different stops and choose the best????? Is it just >experience? > >I am constantly using the DOF preview button on my SLR's. On my old Rollei >SL-35 it was a must. Stopped down metering, while a pain in some low light >situations, really allowed you to preview all your photos DOF because when >you pressed the meter button, the lens had to stop the lens down to make the >meter reading. On my R4 and R8, it is a bit less convenient. Pressing the >DOF previw actually messes up the metering, so it makes an additional step. >Meter, then check DOF, then perhaps meter again and take picture. Or use >aperture priority and check DOF. With the Rollie, it was all done in one >step, then take the picture. I wonder why cameras with DOF previews do not >lock the meter reading when the DOF button is engaged??? > >Anyway, I have always thought that f-stop is more important than shutter >speed in most situations, and pass this on to my students. I had a friend, >and great photographer, visit my class once many years ago and he told the >class he was going to teach them how to take pictures fast. I cringed a >bit. Then he expounded. The FAST rule is Focus, Aperture, Shutter, Take >your time. I had never heard this rule at that time, and I have used it in >my class ever since (25 years). > >Thanks, and thanks to all those who post pictures even in these turbulent >LUG times. Pictures are what it is all about. > >Aram > >This message is made of 100% recycled electrons. No new atoms were >destroyed in making it. > >Aram Langhans >Science Teacher, Naches High School >101 W. 5th. St / P. O. Box 159 >Naches, WA 98937 > >"Science Rules" > >-- >To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html