Question about focus w/ 50 mm lens

[amberg]

I got a minolta 50mm f/1.7 lens in the mail last night and took quite a few shots today with it. I've noticed in just about every shot of my daughter, I seem to only get one eye in focus. I never noticed this with the kit lens (i'm a complete newbie) but i'm having a hard time with this one. Where exactly should my focus be? Here's a sample shot I took today. I like the shot (she was trying to hide under a table) but the out of focus eye really bothers me. Is there anyway to prevent/correct this? Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

[OldClicker]

Your depth of field is much shallower at f/1.7 than it was with the kit at ~f/5 (??). Try using a higher f-stop if you have enough light and/or take the shot when her eyes are both the same distance.

Also, you have more depth behind the focus than in front of it. Looks like you focused on the right eye (or even beyond it) and got that eye, eyebrow and even some past it. Theoretically, you would focus 1/3 of the way between the front eye and the back eye, but that may be a little tough. Try focusing on the front eye. (Note that with all these focus points, I'm talking front to back. Side to side and up/down are irrelevant.)

TF

[dbutler]

What aperture do you have it set to? 1.7 is pretty big. Close it down a bit and try again. Ill bet you see a difference at say 2.8 or smaller.

[amberg]

Thanks for your help. I'm still learning the camera itself, let alone a new lens. I'll try focusing on the closer eye and setting the aperture a bit higher. I was really switching between aperture priority and different preset settings just to get a feel for it. I found this one in the batch.



It was a bit yellow and I tried to fix it a tad (i'm terrible at photoshop) but I did notice the focus was a bit better than the others. That was taken in the same spot (just left of the table leg in the 1st photo). I was set on focusing on the eye further away. I'll try to do what you suggested. She moves around so quickly.....makes focusing a challenge. Thanks again for the help.

[dbutler]

Beautiful image of a beautiful baby!

Yeah, its why my 50 1.4 is always closed down to at least 5.6. My lens may be fast, but my son is faster! LOL!

[amberg]

Thank you dbutler! I will change the aperture...I guess I was excited to play with the new lens and wanted it as wide open as possible Would stepping back away from her more help at all? Maybe i'm too close?

[Frog]

Stepping back will help but then she won't fill the frame so wonderfully.

[dbutler]

Frog is right. Distance will increase DOF but you may alter the feel of the image. the only way to really know is by experimenting.

[Ron Kruger]

Hey, Amberg--doesn't your camera have a flash?

[amberg]

Yes, it does have a pop up flash. Although, I'm usually quite close to her so I try not to use it.