Pro Secrets: Depth Of Field, Lens Magnification, And Field Of View!

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Steve

Steve

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In this video, we'll explore how you can use an interesting depth-of-field property to improve your photography. In addition, we'll expand on that first tip and I'll show some killer tips for background control using lens magnification and field of view!

The topics in this video are seldom discussed - heck, many people don't know about them at all - but they have a tremendous impact on your photography!

Check it out - this one is really cool!

 
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Good video, as always.

I didn't notice you mention focus breathing (I could have missed it) , which might come up as well. Depending on how much you're trying to fill the frame, you can get different effective focal lengths (duade Patton has some info on this, re: sonys 200-600 and the nikon 180-600) and that can also have an impact for fov/etc.
 
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Steve said:
In this video, we'll explore how you can use an interesting depth-of-field property to improve your photography. In addition, we'll expand on that first tip and I'll show some killer tips for background control using lens magnification and field of view!

The topics in this video are seldom discussed - heck, many people don't know about them at all - but they have a tremendous impact on your photography!

Check it out - this one is really cool!

Click to expand...
Great video Steve. A process that requires a little more thought and subject/ camera interaction. Just remember: practice leads to more opportunity to practice which in turn leads to something we like to call perfection. Can’t wait to try this out.
 
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Cameron T said:
Good video, as always.

I didn't notice you mention focus breathing (I could have missed it) , which might come up as well. Depending on how much you're trying to fill the frame, you can get different effective focal lengths (duade Patton has some info on this, re: sonys 200-600 and the nikon 180-600) and that can also have an impact for fov/etc.
Click to expand...
Very true, although a little beyond the scope of the video since it's usually a bit of a specific use thing (i.e, more close-range targets). Still, it can come into play, although if the subject remains the same size in the viewfinder, the DoF will still stay the same (of course FoV and magnification change). I wonder if there would be enough interest in a dedicated focus breathing video???
 
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Woodyg3 said:
This is nothing I didn't already know but sometimes fail to consider when I'm out there shooting. A great reminder to not just shoot, but THINK while I'm shooting. LOL. Great video, Steve.
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For many shooters - especially experienced ones - this is more of an intuitive thing than something they think about step by step. They just sort of "know" what's going to happen with a given subject, background distance, and focal length - it sounds like you fall into that category.
 
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Steve said:
Very true, although a little beyond the scope of the video since it's usually a bit of a specific use thing (i.e, more close-range targets). Still, it can come into play, although if the subject remains the same size in the viewfinder, the DoF will still stay the same (of course FoV and magnification change). I wonder if there would be enough interest in a dedicated focus breathing video???
Click to expand...
I hadn’t really considered focus breathing to be a serious concern for me because I associate it with videography. I could be wrong, of course! However, I’m always up for learning something new so I think I’d be interested.
 
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Great video Steve! The majority of my shooting is with one lens…. the 500mm PF on my Z9. But I do have the 180-600 on pre-order, so I can see where DOF and FOV could become more of an issue. I knew this information, but it’ll be different putting it in practice in the field. Thanks again!
 
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Great video as usual, Steve. As a relatively new shooter (3 years) with most experience using 200-300mm or shorter I hadn't really thought about this before and learned a lot. Now if only I could shave 2 lbs off my AF-S 200-500 I'd go practice what I learned.😊
 
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Great video, @Steve. Many people are confused on DOF and FOV. Much of what is published out there is confusing or misleading. Also many people not understanding the effects of wider FOV brining more stuff into the BG confuse the results for increased DOF. As usual you did a good job of demonstrating things in a very practical way. Nice job.
 
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Steve said:
In this video, we'll explore how you can use an interesting depth-of-field property to improve your photography. In addition, we'll expand on that first tip and I'll show some killer tips for background control using lens magnification and field of view!

The topics in this video are seldom discussed - heck, many people don't know about them at all - but they have a tremendous impact on your photography!

Check it out - this one is really cool!

Click to expand...
Thank you Steve for this informative video! A couple of things came to mind watching it. One being that using longer glass, in addition to helping with the background, also gives you a better chance to not disturb the subject. The other being that using shorter glass might help if you are trying to get a subject and also capture the environment.
 
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Just got a chance to watch and like always great stuff.

I noticed you have a RRS tripod. Funny I just watched your tripod video today and you had Gitzo for a long time. Why the change? Also, what was the fabric under the RRS clamp? Are you hiding something? :)
 
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DavidT said:
Just got a chance to watch and like always great stuff.

I noticed you have a RRS tripod. Funny I just watched your tripod video today and you had Gitzo for a long time. Why the change? Also, what was the fabric under the RRS clamp? Are you hiding something? :)
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About six months to a year after shooting that video, we needed another tripod and everyone kept telling me how great RRS was, so I had to give them a shot. The two brands are incredibly close, but I just like the RRS a little bit better, so that's what I'm using now :)

Oh, that's a shoulder pad for the tripod. My amazon affiliate link below has them:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073FCXT58/?tag=backcogaller-20
 
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BarkingBeansCoffee said:
A great reason for 100-400 owners to get the 180-600. Great video.
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As an owner of the 100-400 and having tested the 180-600, the latter certainly won't be a replacement for me. It is a great single lens to carry but I prefer to use the 100-400, 800pf combination, with 500pf when required. The 180-600 feels a good deal heavier than the 100-400. Just a personal thing🤷‍♂️
 
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