Bridge camera f stop range?
Jul 16, 2012 00:09:18 #
Ugly Jake wrote:
I'm confused - I thought sharpness referred to "sharpness of focus"
rebride wrote:
More DOF can subtract from sharpness.
You shot the moon at f/8. Diffusion/diffraction sets in.
You shot the moon at f/8. Diffusion/diffraction sets in.
I'm confused - I thought sharpness referred to "sharpness of focus"
Sharpness varies in relation to f-stop. Usually a lens is sharpest in the mid range of it's available apertures.
Focus is rather 'acceptable sharpness.'
When you stop down from the optimal aperture to increase DOF more becomes 'in focus' but 'true' sharpness declines. Same can be said of larger f-stops, less in focus but true sharpness declines.
Has to do with refraction, diffraction, pixel density, Airy disks, Circles of confusion, etc. etc.
Something I learned today - Smaller sensors also enlarge the center region of the lens more, so its resolution limit is likely to be more apparent. Might have something to do with the center of the moon sharpness.
Jul 16, 2012 09:48:43 #
Someone poo-poo'd, the Nikon P7100 and swore by the Canon G12, saying that the G12 was far superior. What do you say, since you own the Nikon P7000. I too have owned the P7000 and have made beautiful 16x20's, which everyone has admired.
I say, if you are not doing professional work, does it really matter that much, as long as the results satisfy you. BV
I say, if you are not doing professional work, does it really matter that much, as long as the results satisfy you. BV
Jul 16, 2012 22:02:39 #
rebride wrote:
Something I learned today - Smaller sensors also enlarge the center region of the lens more, so its resolution limit is likely to be more apparent. Might have something to do with the center of the moon sharpness.
Something I learned today - Smaller sensors also enlarge the center region of the lens more, so its resolution limit is likely to be more apparent. Might have something to do with the center of the moon sharpness.
That's just it = it's only on the perimeter of the subject that you get the sharpness ?!?!?!!
Jul 18, 2012 17:54:24 #
woodsmtty: Good question. Thanks to the answers I learned something I was wondering. Good one always learns something.
Jul 24, 2012 11:29:10 #
In a nutshell--don't worry about it. Buy an Olympus SP800UZ and let the camera worry about technical details. You can just concentrate on "the picture". ALYN
Jul 24, 2012 11:35:03 #
My Finepix S1800 doesn't have a real diaphragm, only a ND filter to mimic the smaller aperture light. To change DOF I have to play with the distance of the subject to the camera to te background, and with the focal length.
Jul 24, 2012 12:08:42 #
The discussion seems to have veered off course from the original question as to standard 35mm film cameras had f-stops down to f/22 or smaller,and i think that has been answered. Asking now how to get more depth of field is not the usual question for bridge cameras because before zooming you have a 2.8 wide angle lens. Depth of field depends on lens focal length,aperture,distance to subject and distance to background. You will have great depth of field with the lens at wide angle. The usual complaint with bridge cameras is limiting depth of field in order to separate the subject from the background,and that of course is remedied by placement of particular subject relative to background and using your focus options. Forget the confusion on optics,forget the moon,just be practical with your settings.
Jul 24, 2012 12:44:55 #
Since limiting DOF with compact, or bridge cameras is not an option, by using F stops. Using your zoom is the replacement; well crutch would be the more appropriate.
With your subject against the preferred background, step back a few feet and zoom in, the more zoom you can use, the less the Depth Of Focus will be. In this case Near to far sharpness has no bearing, its accomplished by the limited depth of focus between the lens, and the sensor.
With your subject against the preferred background, step back a few feet and zoom in, the more zoom you can use, the less the Depth Of Focus will be. In this case Near to far sharpness has no bearing, its accomplished by the limited depth of focus between the lens, and the sensor.
Jul 24, 2012 13:16:05 #
But Steve,yes you do control dof with f-stops, and....zooming is not a replacement for f-stops...and distance to subject does affect dof.
Jul 24, 2012 13:26:54 #
You are referring to what a DSLR, with a large sensor does. That is not the subject here, bridge cameras with small sensor are!.
The small sensor, the short focal length of the lenses, all contribute to an almost infinite DOF. That cannot be controlled with F stops, as in a DSLR.
The small sensor, the short focal length of the lenses, all contribute to an almost infinite DOF. That cannot be controlled with F stops, as in a DSLR.
Jul 24, 2012 13:54:26 #
True,not as much as in DSLRs with much wider range of f-stops. But then,the subject here is not about DSLRs but about getting the most out of a light weight and convenient alternative with its own happy features. We just can't have everything can we,not even at any price.When at one point I couldn't carry more than a pound, I chose light weight and it became an unexpected happy choice. But most of the complaints about small sensor cameras stem from not using them fully i think.Many people,especially newbies,never get out of multi-pattern meter or focus options. Anyway,happy shooting....
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