Focus Issues Nikon D5200 - Please Help

[Cookie8boy]

Hi all

Nikon D5200

I need help with a focusing issue I am having.

I can't seem to focus on more than one face when doing a shot with two people?

One face is sharp in focus and the other is off focus which spoils the shot!

I have the same issue when I have 3,4 or 5 faces in the group!

I have a small event next month so would love to resolve this Asap!

Thanks all

 

[minnnt]

Sounds like a depth of field issue Michael. You need to either use a smaller aperture, move further away or make sure all your subjects are on the same focal plane.

 

[Cookie8boy]

Hi minnt

By smaller appetite do you mean lower numbers like 3.0 - 5.4?

 

[minnnt]

No, smaller apertures like f5.6-8 which will increase the depth of field allowing more to be in focus.

What lens are you using and could you give the settings of one of the affected pics?

 

[Nawty]

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/depth-of-field.htm

And probably in order to make use of that you should understand the cornerstone of photography which is the exposure triangle:
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-exposure.htm

 

[Cookie8boy]

I normally use either a 18-55mm standard lens or 35mm prime lens - sorry I am out at the moment and don't have settings of the picture affected.

 

[Turbo-G]

Sounds like your depth of field is too shallow, rather than an autofocus issue.

For a group shot, unless everyone is standing on exactly the same plane, I would personally go for an even smaller aperture - e.g f8-11. It's more important to get a sharp image than to try to 'blow out' the background.

 

[Cookie8boy]

Thanks
I will give that a try, I understand the plane where the people in the shot should all be standing level (in the same focal field) but maybe using a smaller aperture would benefit the shot.. Thanks