Candid Technique? Kit Lens

[Arbib]

I was just wandering if anyone has used Kit lens's for Waist-Level Candids.

I have a film SLR with a 28 I use at f/11 and set the Hyper-Focal scale so all from 4 feet to INF is in focus. But with kit lens's w/o a scale, can't do that. With a kit lens set 28mm (FOV on a 35) you would have to set the lens at the INF Stop and the apeture at f/22 to get the same DOF.

Has anyone tried this....Camera on MF, and "A" mode. Lens set at 14mm (4/3's), 18mm (APS-C) 28mm (FF DSLR)...And Focus set to INF or INF Stop in no scale.

[PhotosbyChuck]

I haven't shot this way, but for the lenses with no outside scale are you able to just focus on the horizon and then turn off AF to get the same effect? For that small of an f-stop and short of focal length, even setting the focus distance at 20 feet will give you a very large DOF.

I'm not sure I follow your comment about the kit lens and DOF. A FF sensor has less DOF on the same scene as an APS-C (due to the difference in focal lengths).

[Arbib]

Originally Posted by PhotosbyChuck

I haven't shot this way, but for the lenses with no outside scale are you able to just focus on the horizon and then turn off AF to get the same effect? For that small of an f-stop and short of focal length, even setting the focus distance at 20 feet will give you a very large DOF.

I'm not sure I follow your comment about the kit lens and DOF. A FF sensor has less DOF on the same scene as an APS-C (due to the difference in focal lengths).

On a FF SLR Camera, a 28mm focused at 8 feet and at f/11 will have a DOF from 4 feet to INF...That was my sample. But you are right, on a 4/3's sensor I would have more DOF focused at 8 feet at f/11.

I am trying to find a way to do this...On my Lens's, the MF ring has no stop at INF or at the Close end. ...So I quess I would have to focus a known distance to me (8 feet is 2-1/2 paces with me), Than put the camera in MF mode and "A" Exposure at f/11 and not touch the MF ring and set the FL to 14mm (28mm in 35m for my camera).

[PhotosbyChuck]

Originally Posted by Arbib

On a FF SLR Camera, a 28mm focused at 8 feet and at f/11 will have a DOF from 4 feet to INF...That was my sample. But you are right, on a 4/3's sensor I would have more DOF focused at 8 feet at f/11.

I am trying to find a way to do this...On my Lens's, the MF ring has no stop at INF or at the Close end. ...So I quess I would have to focus a known distance to me (8 feet is 2-1/2 paces with me), Than put the camera in MF mode and "A" Exposure at f/11 and not touch the MF ring and set the FL to 14mm (28mm in 35m for my camera).

I get the same math as you for the FF SLR. (acceptable focus starts at 3' 10.4" and continues to infinity). So, using the same method, but substituting numbers for your E-510, we come to the conclusion that you can focus at a distance of 4ft (known, still F11 and 14mm on your lens) and you will be assured acceptable focus from 1' 10.2" to infinity.

Edit: At a distance of 4 feet, your field of view is roughly 5' 1.7" x 3' 10.3". That way you can gauge how much of the frame you are getting. That field of view shrinks rapidly the closer to you the subject is and grows rapidly the further the distance.

[r_fredrick_smith]

Here is a good article on the subject:

http://www.dofmaster.com/hyperfocal.html

If you read down the page there is a discussion of how to proceed when you don't have the needed scales on the camera. By the way, there are all sorts of good rangefinder devices that can be picked up cheaply now days for getting a distance measurement.

Cheers,
rfs

[Arbib]

Originally Posted by r_fredrick_smith

Here is a good article on the subject:

http://www.dofmaster.com/hyperfocal.html

If you read down the page there is a discussion of how to proceed when you don't have the needed scales on the camera. By the way,

there are all sorts of good rangefinder devices that can be picked up cheaply now days for getting a distance measurement.

Yes..I have seen these on the 'Bay..from Russia and Japan, and Germany.

Cheers,
rfs

But how would that help in setting the lens to 8' ?? I guess it may be more accurate than pacing off my 2 1/2 steps from a wall, and turning around to AF it. Then Turn off the AF. and finish setting up camera for Candid Photo's. (But with a 4/3's sensor, My paces are accurate enough for f/11. at 14mm)

Thanks for link on this..

[Arbib]

Originally Posted by PhotosbyChuck

I get the same math as you for the FF SLR. (acceptable focus starts at 3' 10.4" and continues to infinity). So, using the same method, but substituting numbers for your E-510, we come to the conclusion that you can focus at a distance of 4ft (known, still F11 and 14mm on your lens) and you will be assured acceptable focus from 1' 10.2" to infinity.

Edit: At a distance of 4 feet, your field of view is roughly 5' 1.7" x 3' 10.3". That way you can gauge how much of the frame you are getting. That field of view shrinks rapidly the closer to you the subject is and grows rapidly the further the distance.

That's good..I remembered I had a link at a DOF calculator http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html and even focused at 400' (INF) the DOF goes from just under 4' to INF, at 14mm on a 4/3 Camera.

Well, looks like that the trick..focus on an FAR (INF) object. Turn off the AF and setup the camera on "A" exposure mode and 14mm...and shoot away...Now to test this....Although, I know it will work..It's math not theory.

Thanks for all the ideas and help...