Prime lenses and Depth of Field

[Monza76]

How about some examples of limited DOF with prime lenses (defn: single focal length, not zoom). Some of you have some large aperture lenses that can produce some interesting results at separating a subject from its background. Last month I posted some "whiskey bottle and Christmas lights", pictures that would fit hear but yesterday I shot this one for a Flickr group using the FA 35mm f2, this one will start it of.



This is not a challenge or a contest, just a chance to have some fun.

Now I have to find an optical illusion for Daniel's topic.:-)

Ira

[danielchtong]

Monza76 wrote:

How about some examples of limited DOF with prime lenses (defn: single focal length, not zoom).
Some of you have some large aperture lenses that can produce some interesting results at separating a subject from its background.

Zoom lens also has its depth of field too
This is from Sigma 24-60mmF2.8 at F4





It may be less sharp than a prime lens at F4 for the subject matter. But the background could be just as creamy and buttery as well.

Last month I posted some "whiskey bottle and Christmas lights", pictures that would fit hear but yesterday I shot this one for a Flickr group using the FA 35mm f2, this one will start it of.

The FA35mm is quite something . Kjell has one too if I am correct.


Go back to your subject.

Longer prime lens (eg.300mm) with even less DoF does provide something unexpected result in the out of focus area



Daniel

[Monza76]

Daniel, fast zooms can be pretty impressive as well, but that 300 is something special.

Ira

[bilybianca]

Yes, I have the 35/2. But I'm going to find something for my 85/1.4. And if the weather allows, for my 600/5.6. If you keep that on 5.6 the dof is... n't!

Just look at this. At 20 metres I missed on focus by 10 cm's/4 inches. It's not shake blur, look on the shoulder feathers.

Kjell

[ennacac]

That is exactly the issue I was having with my K10D using my 200 2.8 and 85 1.4, where the subject was slightly out of focus, while the close background was extremely sharp.

It was frustrating!

Here is one with my F50mm 1.7 at 1.7



Here is one with my A*200 2.8 at 2.8



Tom

[danielchtong]

ennacac wrote:

That is exactly the issue I was having with my K10D using my 200 2.8 and 85 1.4, where the subject was slightly out of focus, while the close background was extremely sharp.

It was frustrating!

Here is one with my F50mm 1.7 at 1.7



Here is one with my A*200 2.8 at 2.8



Tom

Tom

They look great to me. Likely because of the long focal length and the resultant tiny DoF, focusing has always been tricky

Daniel

[danielchtong]

I just took this a couple of hours ago


A300mmF4 almost wide open at F4.5 with paper thin DoF




Daniel

[Trojansoc]

Under the lights, a manual focus 135mm f2.8 at close to minimum focus distance.

[Trojansoc]

and razor-thin depth of field using the FA 50mm at f1.4

[Monza76]

Some great examples here guys. Kjell and Tom, that 85mm f1.4 must be extremely difficult to focus accurately. Daniel the 300mm f4 certainly does limit DOF as well as compress distance making for an interesting effect. Trojansoc, great low light shot in the football image.

Ira