Depth of field query.

M

mahseve

Suspended / Banned
Messages
49
Name
david
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi. Below are a couple of shots (hopefully), taken as practise, 1 has been brightened a touch, 2 straight from the can. Details:- Canon 500D, Sigma 10-20mm (at 13mm). F16 at 0.6 sec, Centre weighted average metering (focused about a third up the frame then locked to MF to re-compose), tripod with remote release. The foreground and upto around two thirds up the frame looks acceptably sharp (or maybe not please comment) then the sharpness is lost.
Is this normal and all I can expect from the kit?
1.

resaize0963.jpg


2.

resize0965.jpg
 
Depends what you want the picture to look like.

I personally would have chosen a wider aperture, like f/3.5 to get the background out of focus, thus allowing the shutter speed to be shorter and negate the need for tripod and shutter release. And I would have used matrix metering.

You've got a decent camera and lens there - there aren't many limits to be honest.
 
If you want everything sharp from near to the horizon, you need hyperfocal distance technique. There's have been a few threads about it recently, including this one http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=255258 Easy way to do it in post #15. The 'focus one third in' rule only applies to close-ish range subjects like groups of people. It doesn't work with long distance.

Check out that link, and find everything you want to know about depth of field, and how to calculate it, here www.dofmaster.com
 
They look about what I would expect from the details you posted, don't forget that atmospheric pollution is going to degrade the further detail, and it looks a bit of a murky day.
 
artyman said:
They look about what I would expect from the details you posted, don't forget that atmospheric pollution is going to degrade the further detail, and it looks a bit of a murky day.
Click to expand...

Aye, same thought here.

The horizon is already soft because of the diffused light ... so it will still be soft when recorded in focus.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top