Playing With DOF

[Speed]

Some shots taken at Fort Macon. Most were shot at f8 with my 28-70mm, but a few were shot at f16 with my 70-300mm.

First shot was taken with my 70-300mm at f8. The second shot was the same lens, but taken at f16. I was surprised at the difference. The camera was on my tripod, of course.

Third shot was taken with the 28-70mm at f8. The camera was mounted on my tripod and I was standing near the back of the room.

The fourth shot was also taken with the 28-70 at f8. This shot was handheld, and I was much closer to the window. I'm going to go back and reshoot this one with the camera on the tripod and the lens set to f16.

The moral of the story? Experiment with DOF! You may or may not have as much as you want. DOF preview was used for these shots, but it is good for a guideline, not a definitive answer. F16 inside a fort is DARK.

[Speed]

The first one here was taken with my 70-300mm at f4, and it had way too much DOF. I was trying to isolate the front sight blade on this canon. The result isn't too bad, but it's not as shallow as I wanted.

The second shot was also taken with the 70-300mm at 300mm and f8. It's a shot of the manufacuers stamp on the canon.

The third and fourth shots were both taken with my 28-70mm at f8. The camera was mounted on the tripod for these. Number three is a description of the Hot Shot Furnance. Number four is a view through the furnance from the top. Number four is another one that needed more DOF.

[natatbeach]

Dof experiments never seize to amaze me...what a difference the twist of a wheel or the twist of a wrist can make in creating a totally different image... the arches are way cool... well done

[Speed]

Dof experiments never seize to amaze me...what a difference the twist of a wheel or the twist of a wrist can make in creating a totally different image... the arches are way cool... well done

It is interesting, say the least. Amazing? Absolutely. And even though I've put thousands of frames through my cameras, I still enjoy experimenting, and learning.

While everyone knows a higher f stop number means more DOF, we also need to bear in mind the lens we use (focal length) and distance to the nearest object also affects how deep our DOF will be. My canon sight blade shot is a prime example. Next time I'll shoot that at f2.8, maybe even f1.4! The same goes for my canon through the window shot. Next time I'll ues more DOF for that shot. I'm still learning!

Now if I can only learn to shoot self portraits like you, my resume' will be complete. ;-)

Thanks again for the comments. Glad you enjoyed the shots. Come on down, and you can shoot them for yourself!

[villenadecorte]

That is just awesome... I dont get quite dramatic results with my little
"P.O.S." Fuji Finepix- my DOFs are limited, but it is good to see what I can look forward to with a new camera (soon!)

I think these comparison shots are great, and just when you think you've done a good shot, boom- you make it better.

Thank you for sharing these !

VillenaDeCorte

It is interesting, say the least. Amazing? Absolutely. And even though I've put thousands of frames through my cameras, I still enjoy experimenting, and learning.

While everyone knows a higher f stop number means more DOF, we also need to bear in mind the lens we use (focal length) and distance to the nearest object also affects how deep our DOF will be. My canon sight blade shot is a prime example. Next time I'll shoot that at f2.8, maybe even f1.4! The same goes for my canon through the window shot. Next time I'll ues more DOF for that shot. I'm still learning!

Now if I can only learn to shoot self portraits like you, my resume' will be complete. ;-)

Thanks again for the comments. Glad you enjoyed the shots. Come on down, and you can shoot them for yourself!

[Speed]

That is just awesome... I dont get quite dramatic results with my little
"P.O.S." Fuji Finepix- my DOFs are limited, but it is good to see what I can look forward to with a new camera (soon!)

I think these comparison shots are great, and just when you think you've done a good shot, boom- you make it better.

Thank you for sharing these !

VillenaDeCorte

Hello Villena DeCorte! Thank you for your comments. I can relate to the P&S comment. (Yes, I saw that you spelled it POS!) I started with a 110 camera, and progressed to 35mm P&S cameras. When I got my N80 (Christmas 2001) I learned how much I DIDN'T know about photography! :-O

It's been a tremendous learning experience. Best of all, it's been a lot of fun. Let us know when you get your SLR or DSLR. We all get a kick out of a fellow photographer getting new gear. :-)

Thank you again for your kind words.

Robert

[villenadecorte]

I meant Piece of ****, not Point and Shoot ;) (can I say that on this board? oops!)
I have a Fuji fine pix 3800- and while its a cool little snapper, I've been checking out the D70, but I still want to check out the Canon and Pentax. Not to mention all the gear I'll initially buy- sheesh. Might be a few more months.
(I am sure I'll hear much to debate about the differences on the cameras from other board junkies)

I started out on a 35 mm back in highschool (many years ago ;) when I did my photo and photo journalism class. I actually spoke to the board of education for my school to get the class funded and to develop the studio at our school, which put high school sophomores through a 4 stage set of classes for journalism, photography, and videography/and editing.

I graduated actually, my sophomore year, and went back to see the studio after it was built. It was incredible.

Anyway, digital has taken over since then, and I've had numerous POS digitals, and Point and Shoots. I seem to like this one for now, while I get back into the swing of things.

I'd like to divide up my time with film and digital...however I dont have the room for a studio in my house- and we recently moved to this much smaller suburb (I am missing my SF )
So I don't know if there is a lab around for me to tool in.

But you are so very right, I'll have a whole new school of learnin' ahead of me once I get a
new camera... thats why Im here, to listen to all of you awesome photogs

(I just had some coffee---- 'scuse the chattiness)

Cheers!

VillenaDeCorte

Hello Villena DeCorte! Thank you for your comments. I can relate to the P&S comment. (Yes, I saw that you spelled it POS!) I started with a 110 camera, and progressed to 35mm P&S cameras. When I got my N80 (Christmas 2001) I learned how much I DIDN'T know about photography! :-O

It's been a tremendous learning experience. Best of all, it's been a lot of fun. Let us know when you get your SLR or DSLR. We all get a kick out of a fellow photographer getting new gear. :-)

Thank you again for your kind words.

Robert