f stop for shooting through glass
Jun 5, 2017 13:29:46 #
Is there a "best" f stop to use when you have to shoot your subject through single pane or double pane glass?
Jun 5, 2017 13:40:44 #
The problem would not be f/stop so much as internal reflections, and glare. There is not much you can do about reflections, except alter your position, to effect the direction of the lighting. Glare might be reduced some by using a small f/stop...16, or so. Try it, and see if it helps.
Jun 5, 2017 13:42:55 #
Hello. The short answer is no.
The aperture you choose (f stop) will have little effect here generally. It's a broader choice than that.
Can you elaborate on what you wish to achieve? Perhaps then I can support?
Martin.
The aperture you choose (f stop) will have little effect here generally. It's a broader choice than that.
Can you elaborate on what you wish to achieve? Perhaps then I can support?
Martin.
Jun 5, 2017 13:49:32 #
Jun 5, 2017 13:55:08 #
mountainbirder wrote:
Is there a "best" f stop to use when you have to shoot your subject through single pane or double pane glass?
Shooting glass is not a preferred way to shoot, but can be done. First, you need to have the lens close to the glass. I like to use a rubber lens hood that can be rolled back and to then press the camera and hood up against the glass, holding it flat, with the rubber hood preventing any light from the sides and this will reduce glare. You can find rubber hoods on eBay in many different filter sizes for just a few dollars each.
I have done it, with good results. But if you have glare, results won't be good at all.
You might also combine this with a polarizer.
I have also been able to tilt the camera a few degrees away from the plane of the glass. But the more you tilt, the image goes downhill in a real hurry.
Jun 5, 2017 14:08:56 #
Actually a wider lens opening is better as it is easier for the light to "bend" around any obstructions. I shoot thru double paned windows a lot for my backyard bird shots. You want to get as close to the window as possible, preferably right against it. It's like shooting a Mirror lens that has that big hunk of plastic in the center of the lens, since it's so close, the light rays simply bend around it & it doesn't show in the resultant image. My Flickr pages have an album o backyard birds. Many ot the larger birds were shot thru the glass of a double paned window as they would not come if I was outside.
Jun 5, 2017 14:15:43 #
photoman022
Loc: Manchester CT USA
the usual advice for shooting through glass is to buy a rubber lens hood, pull it back over the lens, put the lens (protected by the rubber lens hood) flush AGAINST the glass. This will minimize reflection, etc. The experts say that it is the only way to shoot aquarium photos (think giant aquariums at Seaworld, etc.). Shooting through glass should not have an affect on your f/stop (aperture); there would be no optimal aperture setting for doing this. The aperture you choose would be based on the effect you want. Narrow depth of field = Wide aperture; Wide depth of field = small aperture.
Jun 5, 2017 14:48:15 #
I have any number of through glass shots. The good ones are when the lens is right up to the glass. The glass is reasonably clean but not perfectly so (I hate cleaning windows). No special settings are necessary.
Jun 5, 2017 15:51:34 #
Thanks for the replies and information. I like the rubber lens hood idea. I was not familiar with that. The reason for my question was that back in March I had a black bear sow and 2 cubs climb up a back deck 14 foot column to get at the bird feeders that I have mounted off my deck railing. It was around 2:30 am when I heard them pulling at the feeders. Got out of bed, turned on the bedroom deck light which did not scare them away. Grabbed my camera and started shooting at f5.6 hoping to catch enough light with the deck lamps. A big mistake because all the shots included my reflection along with the subjects. I therefore missed a great opportunity and wound up having to delete the shots.
I also usually have to shoot through other deck windows to get bird photos. I usually shoot from f9 to f16 with some reasonable success. However, when I move towards the windows, my movement usually scares them away. However, it is still worth the try with the rubber lens hood.
Thanks again for all the help.
I also usually have to shoot through other deck windows to get bird photos. I usually shoot from f9 to f16 with some reasonable success. However, when I move towards the windows, my movement usually scares them away. However, it is still worth the try with the rubber lens hood.
Thanks again for all the help.
Jun 6, 2017 06:16:47 #
All good suggestions which I have tried with acceptable results when shooting local ice hockey games through the surrounding glass, (when I'm not shooting from the bench or penalty box). One more tip I find helpful to reduce reflections: wear black while you are shooting through glass to reduce your reflection in the glass. That might not be necessary though, if your lens is flush against the glass.
Jun 6, 2017 06:33:40 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
mountainbirder wrote:
Is there a "best" f stop to use when you have to shoot your subject through single pane or double pane glass?
Clean glass, shoot at 45 degrees with polarizing filter, some like a warming filter and make very very sure it is not your neighbors window you are shooting through.
Jun 6, 2017 06:36:30 #
mountainbirder wrote:
Is there a "best" f stop to use when you have to shoot your subject through single pane or double pane glass?
Shoot straight on to avoid refection and/or a cir polarizer. Don't think F-stop makes any difference
Jun 6, 2017 06:47:44 #
Jun 6, 2017 07:28:26 #
I have shot 1,000's of bird shots through a double pane glass window as in this example, it was taken with a Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII lens mounted on a D7200 camera and on a Induro tripod with an Induro gimbal head. I had the lens right up against the clean glass window to cancel out reflection and shot it wide open.
mountainbirder wrote:
Is there a "best" f stop to use when you have to shoot your subject through single pane or double pane glass?
Jun 6, 2017 07:59:53 #
No polarizer? No rubber lens hood? Can't place lens flat against the glass because of composition/angle of subject? Solution- make sure camera strap is on you, turn on the self timer, press shutter release, elbows together under camera, cup both hands around lens where it meets the glass, compose, wait for shutter! Yeah, I know... a (descriptive) picture is worth a thousand words, but it works! :)
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.