need help wit h focusing
Sep 7, 2011 13:27:59 #
I have a 7D as well as a 5D MkII and with the 7D the f stop goes down the more you will have in focus. I think the smallest setting is 2.8 on that camera (which the camera is a great choice). You have to also consider shutter speed and make sure that the auto focus is turned off on the lens. I also turn the IS off and use a mono pod or tripod with a remote button. You will get great results using a smaller f stop if you so desire. I would say practice shots will help you if you have the time to get them in prior to the shoot. Using a higher f stop means you have a longer shutter speed which in turn means the more the image is in focus. This is hard to do hand holding the camera. As the number increases the opening of the aperture decreases and so lets less light in. By decreasing the f number the aperture opens up and more light enters the camera. For this reason a higher f number requires a longer shutter speed so that the image is correctly exposed.
Sep 7, 2011 13:37:13 #
Stevebales wrote:
I have a 7D.... I think the smallest is 2.8 on that camera (which is a great choice).
Uhg, so much mis-information in this thread, no wonder the OP is confused.
Aperture is a function of the lens, not the camera.
Sep 7, 2011 13:53:11 #
BigD
Loc: The LEFT Coast
Wow yeah some answers that are not quite right. The aperture is a function of the lens that is controlled via the camera on modern DSLRs. In order to increase your Depth of Field you must use a SMALLER aperture which is indicated with a LARGER number. f 2.8 is LARGER than f 16 and will allow more light into the camera and provide a shallower Depth of Field. For group shots where subjects are at varying distances from the camera and where there is sufficient ambient light as indicated by the OP you need to use a smaller aperture (larger number) to obtain a bigger Depth of Field. These are some pretty basic photography practices that beginners need to learn.
Sep 7, 2011 14:09:54 #
BigD
Loc: The LEFT Coast
Here is a pretty good site that covers some very basic stuff. Right in the first page is an article about depth of field and how aperture can effect it. Take a look and see if there is something in there for you.
http://www.illustratedphotography.com/basic-photography
http://www.illustratedphotography.com/basic-photography
Sep 7, 2011 15:07:57 #
The smaller the F stop the more depth of field your get. Look on an old film slr prime lens and there is a scale that shows how big an area is in focus for each f stop. What I would do is set my lens on apature and use f16 or smaller (f stops are like fractions the bigger the number the smaller the opening) Then I would focus on person or object in the middle of the group manual if need be. Take the picture and all should be in focus. - Dave
Sep 7, 2011 15:21:35 #
BigD
Loc: The LEFT Coast
Like I said earlier the smaller the "F Stop" The shallower the depth of field. The Smaller the "APERTURE" the deeper the depth of field. This is the old problem of the smaller the number the bigger the aperture and it causes problems for beginners.
Sep 7, 2011 15:38:12 #
Your Canon 7D has a button to check the depth of field. Use it before you take the picture. I also recommend to use AV instead of Auto. Increase the ISO to 200 or even to 400. You will notice that your f/5 might change to f/8 or f/11. Also try to use bracketing with one stop below and another above the focus number. Should these three pictures and look at the results. Play around and "test drive" your Canon. I have myself a 40D and I have downloaded a Canon instruction book in a pdf format to know all the features of the 40D and your 7D is even more advanced.
Sep 7, 2011 19:36:05 #
Johnny
Loc: Shreveport, La
debbiesweds wrote:
that comment was for john whoever - saying maybe i am just dumb - nice! i imagine you had to start somewhere - thank God the rest of people on this site are far kinder than you
I was just kidding around Deb as I am pretty dumb at this myself...You will learn not to take me too serios
:twisted:
Sep 7, 2011 21:38:57 #
may i make a sugestion. You ask good questions and seem willing to learn. This book helped me understand the relationship between f stops and shutter speeds. It is bt Bryan Peterson and is titled "Understanding Exposure" in easy to understand language with plenty of awesome photos bryan will teach you how to achieve not only a technicaly correct exposure but the most creative one as well. depth of field is also talked about. This book is available on amazon.com between that book and his "learning to see creatively" my work has improved imeasurably. i highly recomend both. :thumbup:
Sep 7, 2011 21:41:47 #
Good book suggestion. I took Bryan's class of the same name on
www.ppsop.com and it gave me a good base of knowledge to build on. Check out his books, site and You Tube videos.
www.ppsop.com and it gave me a good base of knowledge to build on. Check out his books, site and You Tube videos.
Sep 7, 2011 22:49:26 #
I wasn't trying to be confusing, but I kind of figured a beginner is here to learn things from more experienced photographers. I also get the impression she has some natural talent. If you're going to shoot for more than just fun, you need to know how to use your camera. Understanding the relationship of f/stop vs. focus is a primary need. When I first started I was hungry for knowledge and I'll bet she is too.
Sep 8, 2011 01:05:28 #
I'm curious why you're not using your LCD in Playback immediately after taking the shot to check the focus? Why wait to get home to find out if the shot was good?
Sep 8, 2011 13:33:06 #
Thank you very much!! I appreciate the input and am happy to hear all the thoughts on this subject, it is great!
Sep 8, 2011 13:34:07 #
I do, but they were small and looked good - it was shots of the crowd and when I looked at them they appeared good - did not zoom in but then when went home the ones in the bleachers that were up a few levels were fuzzy
Sep 8, 2011 13:35:08 #
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