Focusing Depth....how do you do it?

[Breaker]

Depth of field always used to be a bit hit and miss for me, until I started paying attention and remembering what aperture would work at what range, and even then it's mostly guesswork.

What do the rest of you do? Just working from past experience? Anyone have the DOF algorithems off by heart? Just wondering if there's a better way of doing it than just by guesstimate.

 

[Venomator]

Some lenses still have the DoF ranges on them don't they ... :shrug:


Not sure I even knew there were algorithms for it ...

 

[DiddyDave]

In days of olde (when I used film as a kid, and it cost more than a week's pocket money), I tested it myself with each new lens and worked from experience to save money

Now, I just know I guess

But for training purposes I often use online DoF calculators to get exact figures to relay

DD

 

[Garry79]

In these days of digital it's too easy to take a shot and review. No need for thinking too much!

 

[digitalmaniac]

Ive got dop preview on my d300-but generally dop is twice as big in front of your point of focus as behind.


Just get it from practice in the end

 

[PsiFox]

In these days of digital it's too easy to take a shot and review. No need for thinking too much!

There is if you only get one chance at the shot.

 

[SimonTALM]

Other than Landscapes where I know the hyperfocal distance for 18mm (about 2m at f8) I generally just think do I want lots or little in focus and set either a large (f11) or small aperture (f2.8) accordingly. But then I rarely want to shoot something where DoF is critical to make the photo.

I do have a Free DoF calculator on my PDA Phone but I've never used it in anger, only to find out what DoF difference a 50mm f1.4 is to 50mm f1.8 when geek talking to a fellow tog (the answer is not vrey much).

 

[MaddyZangles]

Something in me tells me l should take more notice of all the numbers and stuff, but l just never do.

l always just do what l feel....and so far so good. l fly by the seat of my pants, l guess. Talk to me about the technical side of photography and l'll sound dumb as.

l guess if l end up doing it as a job l'll have to do some studying!

l have a rough idea, but l never plan ahead, as l just pick up the camera and shoot as l feel l want to at the time.

Usually works out ok.