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DOF Calculator
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Apr 19, 2013 10:03:33   #
dave sproul Loc: Tucson AZ
 
Nightski wrote:
Which DOF calculator app for your phone is the best one?


I do not know which DOF calculator is the best.

Back when I was using film in the 60s some of the lens provided guidance on DOF. Then I placed my photography hobby in hibernation for a few years and when, at 75, I brought it out of hibernation I found a few neurons needed to be jumped started.

A few months ago, I started to experiment on photo stacking to get increase DOF in pictures and my current DSLR did not provide adequate guidance for stacking.

I downloaded "DOFMaster" (if I recall correctly it is free for the iphone) and it allowed me to analyze, understand and get the DOF "overlap" I wanted.

Typically, I do not use this DOFMaster except when I am stacking.

I want to thank you for the thread as it provided some links I plan to investigate.

I hope this helps -- it works for me

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Apr 19, 2013 10:08:00   #
gdwsr Loc: Northern California
 
Nightski wrote:
Which DOF calculator app for your phone is the best one?


LOL, and you thought that was going to be an simple, non-contraversal question.

There are those that enjoy not being encumbered by technology and are pleased when the get the shot resulting from experience and intuition and there are those who like the technology and understanding how "it all works". That's fine, do what makes you happy. I happen to be very much the latter. But I do both: use the light meter and calculators when I have time and shoot from experience when I don't. The former allows me to do the latter better.

That said, I have an Android with two apps.

PHOforPHO http://www.appszoom.com/android_applications/tools/phoforpho_gowg.html

Photo Tools
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/photo-tools-pro/id374359605?mt=8


They both have multiple tools (including hyperfocal distance) which is handy sometimes.

Have fun

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Apr 19, 2013 10:27:33   #
CardinalLady Loc: Hoosier
 
pounder35 wrote:
I hope I didn't come across as a complete jerk. :roll: Some cameras have a feature where the lens can be stopped down and the DOF is somewhat visible in the viewfinder. Of course the smaller apertures make it a little hard to see the details. Older lenses and some newer ones have the DOF scale engraved or printed on the barrel. In general you get used to knowing the 28mm at f/8 will give you deep DOF where the 300mm at f/4 is going to give you practically nothing except what you are focused on. I just can't imagine using an "app" to tell me basic rules of photography. But I'm 55 and come from the old school. :thumbup:
I hope I didn't come across as a complete jerk. :... (show quote)


You two youngsters have a lot of years left! You better embrace technology, don't forget the roots, and keep up or you'll be left behind. Communication is amazing now. With grand boys in Europe now for over 12 years, it's the only way to communicate! I can't imagine them writing me a letter....but they will Skype, Facebook, email and message me. There is always room for the "old" but you gotta know the new...technology is about to totally take over big time...good for you Nightski!

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Apr 19, 2013 10:34:45   #
CardinalLady Loc: Hoosier
 
pounder35 wrote:
The info would be on the lens. I'll use one my Sigma zooms as an example. It's a terrible shot but might help. The zoom is a 75-300. If you'll notice the lines from the rear portion converge as the lens is zoomed out from 75 to 300. The aperture of the lens varies from about 4.5 to 22. So if you look at the focus scale it'll give you a reasonable idea of what to expect as far as DOF at a certain aperture and focal length. As you can see f/22 at 75mm has a much greater DOF than f/22 at 300 mm. It's actually a simple concept but it was the hardest thing for me to comprehend for some reason. I was self taught and learned the basics the hard way. All of a sudden DOF clicked like a light bulb over my head and it all came together. Enjoy the learning process and be thankful you don't have to work in a smelly darkroom to find your errors. Digital makes things a lost easier even though I miss the smell of hypo in the morning. :thumbup:
The info would be on the lens. I'll use one my Sig... (show quote)


Great info, thanks!

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Apr 19, 2013 10:37:23   #
CardinalLady Loc: Hoosier
 
gdwsr wrote:
LOL, and you thought that was going to be an simple, non-contraversal question.

There are those that enjoy not being encumbered by technology and are pleased when the get the shot resulting from experience and intuition and there are those who like the technology and understanding how "it all works". That's fine, do what makes you happy. I happen to be very much the latter. But I do both: use the light meter and calculators when I have time and shoot from experience when I don't. The former allows me to do the latter better.

That said, I have an Android with two apps.

Great info also, thanks!

PHOforPHO http://www.appszoom.com/android_applications/tools/phoforpho_gowg.html

Photo Tools
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/photo-tools-pro/id374359605?mt=8


They both have multiple tools (including hyperfocal distance) which is handy sometimes.

Have fun
LOL, and you thought that was going to be an simpl... (show quote)

Reply
Apr 19, 2013 11:05:55   #
Paul L_S Loc: Lithia Springs GA USA
 
Nightski wrote:
Which DOF calculator app for your phone is the best one?


I use the DOFMaster. I think it is a free app. I use it when I am planning a shoot. This gives me a starting point when subject gets to the location. Using it during the shoot is, in my opinion, going to interuprt the flow of the shoot.

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Apr 19, 2013 11:08:51   #
CardinalLady Loc: Hoosier
 
selmslie wrote:
Actually not a bad answer.

I tried using a couple of different DOF calculators for iPhone and Android until I realized that the fiddling around with them while shooting (unless I was using a view camera) is not worth the trouble.

I recommend that you do your fiddling at home ahead of time using http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/depth-of-field.htm This will give you a feel for what you will need for your subject so that you can apply what you learn without delaying your shots.
Actually not a bad answer. br br I tried using ... (show quote)


Good tutorial, thanks!

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Apr 19, 2013 11:15:33   #
Sandu Loc: Brasov, Romania
 
If you really want another app on your phone, install the one which tells you the sunrise/sunset time on a certain location.

This way you'll have a great light ... if you're there with your camera ;)

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Apr 19, 2013 12:06:52   #
Nightski
 
Sandu wrote:
If you really want another app on your phone, install the one which tells you the sunrise/sunset time on a certain location.

This way you'll have a great light ... if you're there with your camera ;)


I have that one already. :)

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Apr 19, 2013 12:15:19   #
Nightski
 
gdwsr wrote:
LOL, and you thought that was going to be an simple, non-contraversal question.

There are those that enjoy not being encumbered by technology and are pleased when the get the shot resulting from experience and intuition and there are those who like the technology and understanding how "it all works". That's fine, do what makes you happy. I happen to be very much the latter. But I do both: use the light meter and calculators when I have time and shoot from experience when I don't. The former allows me to do the latter better.

That said, I have an Android with two apps.

PHOforPHO http://www.appszoom.com/android_applications/tools/phoforpho_gowg.html

Photo Tools
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/photo-tools-pro/id374359605?mt=8


They both have multiple tools (including hyperfocal distance) which is handy sometimes.

Have fun
LOL, and you thought that was going to be an simpl... (show quote)


Maybe I should have pm'd this question. I don't want to use it for the rest of my photo taking life, I just want a frame of reference to start with, and sometimes when I'm out in the woods, I forget something that I am not familiar with. It would be handy to have an app. And what's the harm? It's free. It can be uninstalled when I don't need it anymore. Thanks for the info gdwsr. :)

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Apr 19, 2013 13:02:38   #
texaseve Loc: TX, NC and NH
 
I too have been trying to get DOF and hyperfocal distance to sit well in my brain. I get it with a prime lens and can use the little calculators and or charts if needed. My problem is when using a zoom - whether 17-35mm or 70-200mm. Then what? Which calculation to use?
I know the rules of thumb - for example that the 17-35 will get a greater DOF and the hyperfocal is easier to calculate. I don't always use a wide angle and still want everything in focus. If it happens, I am just getting lucky. I guess more folks are stacking images these days to get exactly what they want. Just wish it were easier.

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Apr 19, 2013 13:08:40   #
Nightski
 
texaseve wrote:
I too have been trying to get DOF and hyperfocal distance to sit well in my brain. I get it with a prime lens and can use the little calculators and or charts if needed. My problem is when using a zoom - whether 17-35mm or 70-200mm. Then what? Which calculation to use?
I know the rules of thumb - for example that the 17-35 will get a greater DOF and the hyperfocal is easier to calculate. I don't always use a wide angle and still want everything in focus. If it happens, I am just getting lucky. I guess more folks are stacking images these days to get exactly what they want. Just wish it were easier.
I too have been trying to get DOF and hyperfocal d... (show quote)


Hang in there texaseve...we'll get it. Don't give in to the pp :)

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Apr 19, 2013 13:21:57   #
tita1948 Loc: North Idaho
 
Wow some people can be real jerks. I once ask a friend about shooting for stock agencies and told him which one I had been accepted to. His response was" Those agencies will take any body. I only shoot for Istock" Jerk! I too am kind of new. I only started taking pictures about 7 years ago. Lots to learn huh? I still don't fully understand DOF.

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Apr 19, 2013 13:23:35   #
texaseve Loc: TX, NC and NH
 
Nightski wrote:
Hang in there texaseve...we'll get it. Don't give in to the pp :)


Wish I were a little younger....things used to stick better. So hard to keep up with cameras, computers, lenses, software, etc. You should have seen me trying to get through nursing school in my 40s. :shock:

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Apr 19, 2013 13:27:47   #
texaseve Loc: TX, NC and NH
 
tita1948 wrote:
Wow some people can be real jerks. I once ask a friend about shooting for stock agencies and told him which one I had been accepted to. His response was" Those agencies will take any body. I only shoot for Istock" Jerk! I too am kind of new. I only started taking pictures about 7 years ago. Lots to learn huh? I still don't fully understand DOF.


You got it. I am also trying to understand flash, lighting, meters and I do ok...... it is a LOT and you have to keep up. :)

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