hj wrote:
My Daughter-In-Law wants me to shoot our grand daughter
with a "soft" look similar to the attached photo of my other
granddaughter taken by someone else. I have always gone
for the sharper image. Any thoughts how I can get the soft
look? ....... I have a fog filter and that was way too much.
Your fog filter will have a differing degree of effect
on different lenses, even lenses of the same speed
and same FL.
Think of how a slightly dirty window is easier to see
thru when you eye is very close and the same minor
dirt can be a visual obstacle at a greater distance.
Example using a 50mm FL, on both a prime and on
a zoom. The "real lens" is viewing the world from
50mm ahead the sensor, actually just a few mm in
front of the EF mount. But with a 50 prime, the fog
filter is only about 40mm away from the "real lens".
OK, now set a bulky zoom to 50mm. How far away
is the filter this time ? More further, more fog effect.
Same FoV, same f/stop, different degree of effect.
The optical science about the "real lens" is not fussy
correct in every detail but is communicates the idea
in simple terms ... like the dirty window example.
You can stretch food wrap over your lens, taut so it
doesn't touch. Fog filters come in various strengths,
but really taut food wrap is a rather weak effect ...
and it's cheap ! Do you have only one fog filter or a
whole set ?
If you happen to have the 40mm pancake, that will
put your fog filter or food wrap as close as possible
the "real lens" and minimize the effect. 40mm is a
good FL for the framing in your sample shot when
used on tour APSC body. Good even for a head and
shoulders, but a bit short for real close ups or tight
head shots. Maybe you have an excuse to buy one !
.