Depth of Field

[iND]

When I shoot groups I am very sensitive to the depth of field as I dont want to have anyone out of focus.


I am able to calculate dept of field for any given focal length, subjaect distance, and f stop.


This is cumbersome and not readily done on the spot.


So I usually WAY over estimate my f stop and don't get the image I was planning.


Does anyone have method to determine DOF that can be done on the spot, or is there a chart to carry.
Would it not be nice if canon built this into the on camera info screen?

[luck101]

same dillema as you. what i do tho, i just shoot at f5 thru f8. normally resloves the best quality, and of all the people are lined up side to side, it should be enough to get all of them. but it depends what lenses you use too. this applies to my 50mm 1.8.





what lense you use for that tho?

[Keith B]

I usually shoot <35mm and usually aim for 5.6 or higher. I have actually gotten away with 4.0 before but it depends on how staggered the subjects are too.

[hotsecretary]

This?

[hotsecretary]

Or you could always print this.

[Rodger]

I was going to reccomend the DOF Master APP for iPhone/iPod too. Its a great little tool. I haven't found any practical use for it as I typically don't shoot things where I neeed to know the DOF. But its a cool thing to have should I need it.

[Daniel Browning]

When I shoot groups I am very sensitive to the depth of field as I dont want to have anyone out of focus.

It's easy with live view. Stop down, zoom in 10X on the back row, pull focus as far forward as possible without getting them out of focus, then check front row. If they're not in focus, stop down more. To simulate smaller print sizes, use 5X instead of 10X.

[kenbennedy]

Does anyone have method to determine DOF that can be done on the spot, or is there a chart to carry.


Would it not be nice if canon built this into the on camera info screen?

Or the lens? Depending on what lens you use, you may be able to read the the depth of field markings on the focus ring of the lens. Many (all?) of the newer Canon lenses, however, no longer have them.


There are plenty of online calculators/chart generators you can use though.


http://www.dofmaster.com/doftable.html





Also, does your camera have A-DEP mode? Not the best option, but maybe give that a try?

[Stephen Probert]

Or if you don't have liveview (I have the 5d and XTi), try the depth of field preview button?

[lculpin]

Or if you don't have liveview (I have the 5d and XTi), try the depth of field preview button?
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Lol good call