Help me please

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TangoSierra

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David
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Guys, please help. I've recently purchased Nikon 50mm 1:1.8 lens and i'm trying to take some shots with some good dof but struggling. If I set the lens dial to f1.8 the apperture setting via the camera flashes fEE and won't take a picture and i'm not sure why? If I set the lens dial to f22 and apperture setting on the camera goes to f1.8 but the shot has no dof? Help, what am I doing wrong? Dave
 
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Lock the aperture ring on the lens at F22 and adjust the aperture via the camera............:thumbs:

The DOF at F1.8 is very slim, so the lens is behaving as it should.
 
I'm trying to take a photo of an acoustic guitar focusing on the centre and trying to get the rest of the guitar out of focus but it's not working! I'm setting apperture at f1.8 and auto iso - but not working! Might need to take the fishing back up at this point!!
 
TangoSierra said:
I'm trying to take a photo of an acoustic guitar focusing on the centre and trying to get the rest of the guitar out of focus but it's not working! I'm setting apperture at f1.8 and auto iso - but not working! Might need to take the fishing back up at this point!!
Click to expand...


:lol:

Take the D200 off auto ISO, it isn`t too clever at anything over 800.

Depending on the light you may need a tripod or some sort of support, if you don`t have a remote release, shove the camera on timer. Focus on the area you want to be sharp, set aperture at F1.8, the distance from the camera to the subject will affect DOF as well, and away you go.
 
So, the fact i'm about a foot above it, it's on the bedroom floor with not too much light might be my problem??? I'm off for some maggots! I'll give it a go. Thanks buddy, Dave.
 
Summat I posted for a guy on a car forum, may be of help to you.


Hopefully these two simple images will show the difference,the first is shot at F2.8 which gives a very narrow depth of field,hence the chain links being out of focus everywhere except the very middle.Now compare the difference to the second image shot a t F22, nearly all the chain is in focus. F numbers inbetween will give differing depth of field. Have a practice and you will see exactly what differing F numbers do. Set up a similar image and take shots at different F numbers and the results will speak for themselves.


This is a very basic lesson for beginners, hopefully it will help some people grasp the depth of field concept.


F2.jpg



F22.jpg


Also, if you look at the exif data in the bottom left of each image, you will see how the differing F numbers directly effect the shutter speed,But that is another subject.
 
Thanks buddy, did you use the apperture setting on the camera or was it manual? How do I determine focal length?
 
TangoSierra said:
Thanks buddy, did you use the apperture setting on the camera or was it manual? How do I determine focal length?
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Exact same photograph, only difference is the aperture. I have my D200 set so that the rear dial wheel controls aperture, some use the front wheel. You can choose which does what in the menu settings, I don`t have my D200 to hand but on the D700 it is F9 in the menu system.

Your lens is a fixed 50mm, my pics were taken with a zoom. You cannot determine the focal length with a prime lens like yours.
 
Starting to grasp this a little now, Fracster, cheers matey. I've got 2 zoom lens', one is the 55-200mm 4-5.6 VR and the other is the 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 - would I be better using one of these or should I look for a zoom with a better 'F' rating.... Thanks again mate, you just stopped me putting my kit on ebay!
 
TangoSierra said:
Starting to grasp this a little now, Fracster, cheers matey. I've got 2 zoom lens', one is the 55-200mm 4-5.6 VR and the other is the 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 - would I be better using one of these or should I look for a zoom with a better 'F' rating.... Thanks again mate, you just stopped me putting my kit on ebay!
Click to expand...

Both of those lenses are adequate for you at the moment. Larger aperture zooms, 70-200 F2.8 is £1600 and the 17-55 F2.8 is a grand or so, get very expensive.

My advice would be to read, learn, practice, make mistakes, learn from them, try again, start getting it right. Then spunk a load of money on good glass.......:D

The D200 is a cracking camera, very under rated. Persevere with it, but most importantly, enjoy yourself.

The best kit in the world can be awful in the wrong hands, basic gear in the right hands can be awesome.
 
TangoSierra said:
I'm trying to take a photo of an acoustic guitar focusing on the centre and trying to get the rest of the guitar out of focus but it's not working! I'm setting apperture at f1.8 and auto iso - but not working! Might need to take the fishing back up at this point!!
Click to expand...

TangoSierra said:
So, the fact i'm about a foot above it, it's on the bedroom floor with not too much light might be my problem??? I'm off for some maggots! I'll give it a go. Thanks buddy, Dave.
Click to expand...
Am I right in reading from this that the guitar is flat and the camera is parallel to it, directly above?
If it is, the bits that will be in focus are roughly on the same plane which might be why you can't get, say, the sound hole in focus and roughly the neck and bridge down-over out of focus? Is this what you're after?

If it is, try tilting the guitar, maybe a couple of paperbacks under one end.
Or tilting the camera. Either way, moving the plane off-parallel.
 
Very rough and ready but this quick example just about shows what I mean :)
Canon 50mm EF at f1.8
focusTilt.jpg
 
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Wow, that lens has seen some action............:lol:
 
Fair comment, I have some like that as well...........:D

David, I have a couple of D200 guide books and a DVD tuturial, cover postage and you can have them.
 
As has already been stated, a small dof is easier to achieve is there is some difference in the distance from the camera of the bits you want in focus vs the bits you want to be blurred. If your guitar is flat on the floor, and you are shooting directly from above, the camera to subject distance is going to be fairly similar. If you change your shooting angle so that instead of looking down on the guitar, you are looking along it, you should be able to get the sort of effect you are after.

01_curved.jpg
 
Thanks for all your help, it's hugely appreciated. I must say I'm losing a little heart with it as it seems to be soooo complicated or maybe it's just me? Fracster, your offer is fantastic mate please let me know how much etc and I can either send you BACS payment or payment via paypal if you have an account? I originally had a D40 and upgraded to the D200 and think its a little beyond my brain power/capability at the mo (not after sympathy by the way). Might try and get a local course somewhere. Problem with me is i'm more of a visual learner rather than a text book learner so maybe the DVD will definitely help. Thanks again...

ps. Thanks Mike, btw.
 
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Ok mate, you can be judge and jury.


David, pm me your address and i`ll get them sent to you.

Best way to learn is to stick around and ask questions, post some photographs and ask for honest feedback. Most are helpful on here and you will learn quite quickly.Read through the tutorials and basics section, a lot of good stuff in there to get you on your way.

D40 to a D200 is a fair leap and you will need time to get to know how it works, don`t despair, it will come with patience and practice..............:thumbs:
 
Should have added, what settings are you using on it?

Let`s see if we can get you going..........:thumbs:
 
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