Should both eyes be in focus at 5.6?

EspressoJunkie

EspressoJunkie

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This might be a simple question, but I was under the impression that an aperture of 5.6 should be enough to allow both eyes to be in focus. But I was shooting a few of my youngest son this morning and at 5.6 one eye is still slightly oof.

Am I too close, would this affect the focus in this way ? I was shooting with a 24-70 @ 70mm

I realise that I'm being picky, and that it won't have a massive impact on the photo, but I'd just like to know what I can do to achieve both eyes in perfect focus should I need to!

I've attached the photo and a crop to show what I mean.


Eyes by dubbleyu, on Flickr


Eyes crop by dubbleyu, on Flickr
 
It's the nature of 'in focus' The short answer is Yes you're being too picky.

The long answer is a debate about 'acceptibly sharp' that involves phrases like 'circle of confusion' and expected viewing distances. Have you done any sharpening?
 
Phil V said:
It's the nature of 'in focus' The short answer is Yes you're being too picky.

The long answer is a debate about 'acceptibly sharp' that involves phrases like 'circle of confusion' and expected viewing distances. Have you done any sharpening?
Click to expand...

I am picky I know, I have to stop pixel peeping! Those are jpegs straight out if camera, so it's just the standard in camera sharpening applied.
 
Is it also possible that the lh eye is closer? Because it's the closer eye that's critical, and also helps w DoF due to the DoF being further behind than in front of the focus plane.

Have you checked a DoF calculator for the distance and aperture?
 
Phil V said:
Is it also possible that the lh eye is closer? Because it's the closer eye that's critical, and also helps w DoF due to the DoF being further behind than in front of the focus plane.

Have you checked a DoF calculator for the distance and aperture?
Click to expand...

I've never used a DOF calculator before butI think I'm right in saying that by being fairly close I'm narrowing the area that will be in focus. I may try and test different distances etc some day.
 
Hi, on my iPad the first photograph looks soft, but in the crop the RH eye looks sharper.

I don't shoot many portraits but would be interest to hear how you get on with a DOF calculator.

Cheers.
 
EspressoJunkie said:
I've never used a DOF calculator before butI think I'm right in saying that by being fairly close I'm narrowing the area that will be in focus. I may try and test different distances etc some day.
Click to expand...

You have to remember that there's no depth of focus it's just a plane.

So the DoF is 'acceptable sharpness' and acceptable is subjective.
 
DOF depends on aperture and focal length. Short focal length + small aperture will do the job. Surely can not be too short for portrait. Pose could be adjusted or so.
 
Yes. stop pixel peeping.

As a non-photographic mate of mine said to me earlier today. "What you find acceptable and what a normal person finds acceptable in a photo are two vastly different things"

If you show people the first photo I bet every non-photographer would be happy with the photo.
 
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