Register · Software · Search · Image Upload · Buy & Sell · Reviews · Hosting

	Moderated by: guardian
	Username   Password Visit the FM Store · Image Upload · Buy & Sell FM Forum Rules Nikon SLRs, primes, and zooms lenses reviews FM Forums | Nikon-mount SLRs | Join Image Upload end

MichaelKirk Offline Buy and Sell: On p.1 #1 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 Sorry for the newby type question but I did not see a beginers forum and its been many years since I had a decent camera and P&S has knumbed my memory. I just purchased the D70s w/ package 18-70 lens as well as the 50mm 1.8 (which I wanted for portrate type photos. I have only had time for a few pictures and I've been trying to get some decent shots in front of the Xmas tree w/ light and blurring the lights/background and keeping my daughters sharp. I have been keeping the subject around 4-6' infront of the tree and when I shoot in the low f range it is very difficult to get a sharp picture....even the ones that are not blurred look extremely soft and not in focus. Flash is the Nikon built in flash and pictures are after dark so the rooms are pretty dark. ISO setting were anywhere from 200 - 800. (I took a lot of "sample" photos with a bowl of fruit this evening to get a feel for the f settings - from 1.8 thru 22) Is there not enough light with the low f setting? What adjustments do I need to make to keep the subjuct in sharp focus but blur the background (portrate style photos)? Thanks....I'm sure many new questions will follow. Michael (ex Canon user) Here are some photo examples (hopefully) #1 1/60 f 2.0 - blurry which is my main question - why? #2 1/60 f 2.0 - better photo and not as blurred w/ same settings? #3 1/60 f 4.5 - came out dark #4 1/60 f 4.5 #5 1/25 f 2.2 - this is the photo that prompted this post, but I found out that somehow (human error?) the camera shot at 1/25 causing the blur #6 1/60 f 4.5 - test shot increasing the f to 4.5 #7 1/60 f 8.0 - test increasing the f to 8.0 Sorry for the buggers...didn't have time for make-up Thanks Edited by MichaelKirk on Jan 04, 2006 at 07:44 PM GMT (Reason: add photo) Edited by MichaelKirk on Jan 04, 2006 at 09:27 PM GMT Edited by MichaelKirk on Jan 04, 2006 at 09:47 PM GMT Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 04, 2006 at 11:02 PM

gugs Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #2 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 You can have a look at : www.dofmaster.com This will allow you to calculate DOF. Do not forget that you will have a VERY shallow DOF is you shoot fully open. To get reasonable results, if I shoot portraits, I usually close down to f2.8 or even 3.2 to get the whole face in focus (if the shooting distance is short, like 3 to 5 feet). Hope this helps. Guy Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 04, 2006 at 11:12 PM

andyscott Offline Buy and Sell: On p.1 #3 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 Open your aperture wide such as 1.8 or 2.8 and that distance should get background blurring. What are your shutter speeds? They should be at least 1/80th sec with your 50mm lens (greater than the focal length 1.5 x 50 =75) That should get rid of camera shake. Do you see the focus confirmation, what is your focus set on AF-S AF-C etc? Does it look sharp througth the viewfinder? Try and post a pic or email me one and i will have a look, preferably raw or jpeg straight from the camera ~Andy Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 04, 2006 at 11:16 PM

rcorrington Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #4 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 Andrew, You wrote: "They should be at least 1/80th sec with your 50mm lens (greater than the focal length 1.5 x 50 =75)" I don't understand this comment. What is the relationship between shutter speed and focal length, exactly? Thanx in advance. -r Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 01:08 AM

phatnev Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #5 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 Since we're on DOF and such, can someone explain AF-S and AF-C, I've read my manual but I don't quite get it Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 03:23 AM

Jack OBrien Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #6 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 phatnev wrote: Since we're on DOF and such, can someone explain AF-S and AF-C, I've read my manual but I don't quite get it AF-S) Camera will focus and lock as long as you have the shutter button depressed halfway (Single) AF-C) Continuous AF. If you depress the shutter button half way, camera will focus, but never truly locks, but will continue to 'hunt' as the subject distance changes. Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 03:33 AM

MichaelKirk Offline Buy and Sell: On p.1 #7 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 I posted some sample pictures above. When I use Apt prioriety w/ flash the shutter speed is fixed at 1/60. Should I switch to manual? Also what is the difference between AF-S and AF-C. The manual does not do a good job explaining this. Thanks of the advise...I am doing a lot of testing and reading to try and get myself back up to speed quickly. I would like to eventually set up a small home studio. Michael Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 03:35 AM

Jack OBrien Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #8 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 rcorrington wrote: Andrew, You wrote: "They should be at least 1/80th sec with your 50mm lens (greater than the focal length 1.5 x 50 =75)" I don't understand this comment. What is the relationship between shutter speed and focal length, exactly? Thanx in advance. -r It's kind of a "rule".... for all intents, to get sharp shots handholding the camera, the rule of thumb is 1/focallength. If you go less than that (and some can), you probably won't get sharp images. Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 03:38 AM

phatnev Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #9 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 Are there advantages to both? I'd be curious to know when both are best utilized, I think I have it set to AF-S right now Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 03:47 AM

DAllshouse Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #10 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 What is your flash setup? You could be in balanced fill mode which will not necessarily give you enough light. Try a shot in P mode as a test and check the exif data. #3 and 4 can be much brighter if the flash in putting out full power. Are these shot with the 50? Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 04:59 AM

Jack OBrien Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #11 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 phatnev wrote: Are there advantages to both? I'd be curious to know when both are best utilized, I think I have it set to AF-S right now Sure there are. If you're shooting fairly static subjects, AF-S is better/easier to work with. If you're trying to track a moving subject, AF-C is the way to go. In AF-C mode, the camera is using "focus tracking", where it is guessing where your subject is going and making it's best attempt to keep the subject in focus. It works really well. Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 05:09 AM

andyscott Offline Buy and Sell: On p.1 #12 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 These pictures are suffering from camera shake, sometimes 1/60th sec is just not quick enough. Try this setting 1/125th sec f4 flash on TTL, should give sharp pics. Or try a tripod, always focus on the eyes. Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 12:22 PM

ecidi Offline Image Upload: On p.1 #13 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 Michael, I have the 50mm f1.8 like you do and although this lens is quite sharp at 1.8 to f2, , it is far sharper and has a better DOF at f5.6 to f8. Also, if you don't have steady hands, i suggest mounting your camera on a tripod and you will see a great improvement in the sharpness of your images. effie Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 01:01 PM

MichaelKirk Offline Buy and Sell: On p.1 #14 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 All shots are done on the D70s 50mm 1.8D lens. Flash mode set at TTL. Auto focus -s, single area focus, 3-d color matrix. I can now see that the lack of sharpness is caused by camera shake....as I have been getting older my hand are not as steady anymore. Confused about the lighting though. Just seems like some of the photos are overly dark. I will take more test photos and adjust different setting for experimentation and education. Michael Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 02:11 PM

DustinW Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #15 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 In my experience, the D70 tends to underexpose low-light shots. When I had mine, I frequently used +1/3 or +2/3 exposure compensation for indoor shots with the built-in flash. Try some outdoor shots with lots of shutter speed (and no flash) and make sure you can get sharp photos with that lens. Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 03:21 PM

MichaelKirk Offline Buy and Sell: On p.1 #16 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 Thanks, I just took a few quick shots (of my file camnet) adjusting the flash output and I can see the difference. I will take some more tonight of the kids. Another question on downloading files and photo numbers. Everytime I down load files ds0001, 0002, 0003 and delete the photos from the card. When I take new pictures the file numbers start over at 0001, 0002, ect. So when I go to download again I already have files with these names. How do I get the camera to not start files numbers at the beginning every time? Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 03:54 PM

DustinW Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #17 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 Under the custom settings menu, set the 'File No Seq' to 'On'. That way file numbering will continue from the last number used. You won't encounter a problem until you roll over after 9999. Also, some download programs rename the files as they are downloaded. Make sure this feature is disabled and the original filenames are maintained during download. Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 04:12 PM

tjny Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #18 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 main problem imho is focusing. # 1 is front focused, #2 is nearly accurate to slightly front focused and properly expoed against a dark background, # 3 is accurately focused but under exposed due to white shirt and not the least, by very little of that dark background, # 4 & # 5 are back focused, # 6 & # 7 are focused on nose/ cheeks, not eyes. Prosessionals doing portraits with 50 mm lenses use manual focus , af is too unreliable at very narrow dof for the efffect one desires. Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 04:34 PM

MichaelKirk Offline Buy and Sell: On p.1 #19 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 Thanks for the info on each picture and from everyone. This clears a lot up for me. I will impliment your suggestions and post back with some new pictures that are hopefully much better. Michael Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 04:43 PM

Ibne Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #20 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 jacko wrote: phatnev wrote: Are there advantages to both? I'd be curious to know when both are best utilized, I think I have it set to AF-S right now Sure there are. If you're shooting fairly static subjects, AF-S is better/easier to work with. If you're trying to track a moving subject, AF-C is the way to go. In AF-C mode, the camera is using "focus tracking", where it is guessing where your subject is going and making it's best attempt to keep the subject in focus. It works really well. You can also map the AF/AE-L button to AF-on and keep the camera on AF-C mode. That way you press that button to focus instead of the shutter button and the shutter button is used to trip the button instead of for focusing. Works extremely well. Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 09:26 PM

Qranc Offline Buy and Sell: On p.1 #21 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 You can also map the AF/AE-L button to AF-on I first implented this trick on a D2X and loved it so now use it on the D70. Only problem with the D70 and AF-C (and this could be just me, I dunno and why I am making the comment) I find the tracking not all that great. I don't have a great deal of success with the D70 in AF-C and I prefer to use AF-S however there are so many situations that beg AF-C only if I could get it to track consistently. I find it often tends to find another subject to focus on or it just can't keep my moving subject in focus for whatever reason. Is it just me? I didn't think to compare the AF-C performance with the D2X when I had it and this was probably because the focus was so fast it wasn't an issue. Anyone care to comment? Edited by Qranc on Jan 05, 2006 at 09:57 PM GMT Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 09:56 PM

erikff Offline Image Upload: On p.1 #22 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 using kids is not a good idea to test a lens - they never stay still for a moment (at least mine dont) Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 09:56 PM

phatnev Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #23 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 Can I map it with my D 50? Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 09:58 PM

George61d Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #24 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 MichaelKirk wrote: All shots are done on the D70s 50mm 1.8D lens. Flash mode set at TTL. Auto focus -s, single area focus, 3-d color matrix. I can now see that the lack of sharpness is caused by camera shake....as I have been getting older my hand are not as steady anymore. Confused about the lighting though. Just seems like some of the photos are overly dark. I will take more test photos and adjust different setting for experimentation and education. Michael Michael Coupling the first line above with your earlier comments about using bult in flash and A priority....Although the menu on the D70s says TTL mode, when you are in A mode with 3d matrix metering you are actually using TTl/BL or balanced fill flash. In this setup you will always see underexposure in the type of photos your have shown here. Your photos show that you are using the flash as the key or primary lighting source to do this you need to change to either spot metering or to Manual mode to force the flash into pure TTL. This will immediately give better results...but you still may have to compensate depending on the reflectivity of the subject. TTL/BL mode is intended for use outdoors to balance with daylight. In this flash mode the camera dliberabtely reduces flash power by anything up to 1.7 stops by design. It is intended to help with strong backlighting or to soften harsh shadows cast by direct sunlight. final bit of info. In manual mode you can set your apperture to get the DOF you want, then set the shutter speed to one that will stop the shake. Shutter speed has no effect on flash exposure so you will still have a correctly exposed subject (provided it is within the right distance from the flash) however it will result in a change to the background exposure. hope this helps Edited on Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM Jan 05, 2006 at 10:25 PM

Jericho Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #25 · f / DOF question 50mm 1.8 Try manual mode 1/80 shutter, f 5.6 and spot metering That works great for me. Jan 06, 2006 at 12:23 AM

	FM Forums | Nikon-mount SLRs | Join Image Upload end

You are not logged in. Login or Register

Username   Password   Lost password?