DOF Problems

JMitchell · 13-01-2007, 18:14

Hi guys,
I took my D50 and 18-70 to the Chelsea game, and got some good shots, but was disappointed with how deep the DOF was, which meant that the subject didn't stand out in some of the best shots.
here are some examples: (they might be a bit big..., but you'll get the idea when you see them)
Drogba:

and Frank Lampard:

What do I do? It's quite annoying....

Thanks,
JM

**Dabhand16** · 13-01-2007, 18:20

The links did not work for me. Shallow DoF is obtained by using wide apatures. What settings did you use?

All may not be lost, you can blur the background using most editing software.

P-E · 13-01-2007, 18:30

The links aren't working for me either.

JMitchell · 13-01-2007, 19:03

Links fixed sorry. And I suppose I was using the smallest aperture, damn, why the hell didn't I realise....meh, but keep replies coming now that the links work; could it be something else too?

Thanks

cotter · 13-01-2007, 19:31

Hi JM, below is a pic I took last year at an SPL game. I presume this is the kind of DOF you are looking for? if so my camera settings were; f2.8 1/500sec ISO1600 I also used spot metering. Even although the floodlights seem to produce lots of light they can confuse your cameras light meter.
You need the aperture as wide as the lens will allow to blur the background.
You need the shutter speed as fast as possible to freeze the action and obtain a sharp image. This is why I have the ISO very high it allows faster shutter speeds.

Hope this helps

JMitchell · 13-01-2007, 19:34

Yes that was the kind of thing, but the thing is, my lens only goes to f 3.5

, is that enough?
Yeah I was using ISO 400, but the shutter speed was quite quick, I wasn't really intent on capturing the ball still, ony the players, and I pretty much got that, it was just that you couldn't see them cos they looked like part of the crowd :P. Also my lens wasn't really long enough, so they are crops, but that's no excuse eh.

cotter · 13-01-2007, 19:52

Yes it should be, some of my pics were taken at f4 because I had a tele convertor on. I have double checked the above image data and this is one of them (all the rest of the information is correct.)

This was taken with a 70-200mm 2.8L with a 1.4x convertor.

What kind of camera and lens were you using?

JMitchell · 13-01-2007, 20:08

D50 with 18-70mm NIkkor >>

to the lens, not long enough and beginner I know...

cotter · 13-01-2007, 20:34

We'er all beginners JM so I would'nt worry about that mate

This was my first game.....to be fair I was very lucky as my mates a pro photographer and I was using his lenses and sitting down on the pitch behind the goals

The only thing you would need is a bigger zoom or prime with convertor for this type of work, as the photos are good

just need to be that bit closer, which is not easy

fionaB · 13-01-2007, 21:36

cotter......... me other half Alan reckons you have photo shopped that cos there is no way a Dundee United player could win a ball.................... now im not sure which side u would be supporting so i will wait and see if you tell me to slap him for ya or agree with him! <g>

Fi

cotter · 13-01-2007, 21:52

lol Fiona, Alans right he completly misses the ball and the Hibs player gets it, I was just making him look good for the paper

cotter · 13-01-2007, 21:56

One more thing JM...always straighten the pitch in PS as the players can look like they are running up/down hill

**Dabhand16** · 14-01-2007, 14:12

One more thing that I've just thought of. A longer lens will have a shallower DoF than a shorter one. That is one of the reasons that wide angle lenses are good for landscapes. It's not just the angle of view, they have massive DoF.

With your kit lens on 70mm and f4.5, you may still not get the same effect that you are after, although it is obviously worth a try. You can give it a try in any situation. You don't have to wait for the next match!

Another factor that will affect the DoF is where the action is in relation to you. If you are taking shots of action on the other side of the field, the differental focus will not be as great as if the action was close to you.

If you are intending to take a lot of these sort of shots, a telephoto lens is really a must, preferably a fast telephoto lens.

JMitchell · 14-01-2007, 14:16

Well, if you really want, you can give me advice on my tele lens on the thread I posted:
Tamron 70-300mm?
I was thinking of a Tamron 70-300. Tell me what you think on there (that's all of you, and please

)

Thanks

13-01-2007, 18:14	#1 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,716	DOF Problems Hi guys, I took my D50 and 18-70 to the Chelsea game, and got some good shots, but was disappointed with how deep the DOF was, which meant that the subject didn't stand out in some of the best shots. here are some examples: (they might be a bit big..., but you'll get the idea when you see them) Drogba: and Frank Lampard: What do I do? It's quite annoying.... Thanks, JM Last edited by JMitchell : 13-01-2007 at 19:52.

13-01-2007, 18:20	#2 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 9,772	Re: DOF Problems The links did not work for me. Shallow DoF is obtained by using wide apatures. What settings did you use? All may not be lost, you can blur the background using most editing software.

13-01-2007, 18:30	#3 (permalink)
P-E Loves the place Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sheffield, S.Yorkshire UK Posts: 7,801	Re: DOF Problems The links aren't working for me either.

13-01-2007, 19:03	#4 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,716	Re: DOF Problems Links fixed sorry. And I suppose I was using the smallest aperture, damn, why the hell didn't I realise....meh, but keep replies coming now that the links work; could it be something else too? Thanks

13-01-2007, 19:31	#5 (permalink)
cotter Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lauder, Scottish Borders Posts: 609	Re: DOF Problems Hi JM, below is a pic I took last year at an SPL game. I presume this is the kind of DOF you are looking for? if so my camera settings were; f2.8 1/500sec ISO1600 I also used spot metering. Even although the floodlights seem to produce lots of light they can confuse your cameras light meter. You need the aperture as wide as the lens will allow to blur the background. You need the shutter speed as fast as possible to freeze the action and obtain a sharp image. This is why I have the ISO very high it allows faster shutter speeds. Hope this helps __________________ Cotter. "you cannot catch a rabbit if you chase two"

13-01-2007, 19:34	#6 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,716	Re: DOF Problems Yes that was the kind of thing, but the thing is, my lens only goes to f 3.5 , is that enough? Yeah I was using ISO 400, but the shutter speed was quite quick, I wasn't really intent on capturing the ball still, ony the players, and I pretty much got that, it was just that you couldn't see them cos they looked like part of the crowd :P. Also my lens wasn't really long enough, so they are crops, but that's no excuse eh.

13-01-2007, 19:52	#7 (permalink)
cotter Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lauder, Scottish Borders Posts: 609	Re: DOF Problems Yes it should be, some of my pics were taken at f4 because I had a tele convertor on. I have double checked the above image data and this is one of them (all the rest of the information is correct.) This was taken with a 70-200mm 2.8L with a 1.4x convertor. What kind of camera and lens were you using?

13-01-2007, 20:08	#8 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,716	Re: DOF Problems D50 with 18-70mm NIkkor >> to the lens, not long enough and beginner I know...

13-01-2007, 20:34	#9 (permalink)
cotter Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lauder, Scottish Borders Posts: 609	Re: DOF Problems We'er all beginners JM so I would'nt worry about that mate This was my first game.....to be fair I was very lucky as my mates a pro photographer and I was using his lenses and sitting down on the pitch behind the goals The only thing you would need is a bigger zoom or prime with convertor for this type of work, as the photos are good just need to be that bit closer, which is not easy

13-01-2007, 21:36	#10 (permalink)
fionaB Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,633	Re: DOF Problems cotter......... me other half Alan reckons you have photo shopped that cos there is no way a Dundee United player could win a ball.................... now im not sure which side u would be supporting so i will wait and see if you tell me to slap him for ya or agree with him! <g> Fi

13-01-2007, 21:52	#11 (permalink)
cotter Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lauder, Scottish Borders Posts: 609	Re: DOF Problems lol Fiona, Alans right he completly misses the ball and the Hibs player gets it, I was just making him look good for the paper

13-01-2007, 21:56	#12 (permalink)
cotter Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lauder, Scottish Borders Posts: 609	Re: DOF Problems One more thing JM...always straighten the pitch in PS as the players can look like they are running up/down hill

14-01-2007, 14:12	#13 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 9,772	Re: DOF Problems One more thing that I've just thought of. A longer lens will have a shallower DoF than a shorter one. That is one of the reasons that wide angle lenses are good for landscapes. It's not just the angle of view, they have massive DoF. With your kit lens on 70mm and f4.5, you may still not get the same effect that you are after, although it is obviously worth a try. You can give it a try in any situation. You don't have to wait for the next match! Another factor that will affect the DoF is where the action is in relation to you. If you are taking shots of action on the other side of the field, the differental focus will not be as great as if the action was close to you. If you are intending to take a lot of these sort of shots, a telephoto lens is really a must, preferably a fast telephoto lens. __________________ Graham

14-01-2007, 14:16	#14 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,716	Re: DOF Problems Well, if you really want, you can give me advice on my tele lens on the thread I posted: Tamron 70-300mm? I was thinking of a Tamron 70-300. Tell me what you think on there (that's all of you, and please ) Thanks