Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/09/09

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Subject: Re: [Leica] RF question from an SLR kind of guy
From: "Aram Langhans" <langhans@yakima-wa.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Sep 2002 05:41:31 -0700

So, it is either minimum DOF or optimum lens performance?  You don't try to
dial in the correct DOF for any given situation?  I guess since I shoot
mainly close-up or medium distance things, I have a lot of DOF choices to
make.  Close-up's are the most critical.  How much DOF do I need for that
flower (as an example) to make it look good w/o making the background become
distracting.  Or when I shoot a stream close up I will use f-22 with a
polarizer and hyperfocal to get the largest DOF possible, even though
performance is not optimal.  Also a slow shutter is required for the effect
I want.

I guess I don't see that as much different for "street" photography, but I
see a lot of middle ground between wide open and f-8 hyperfocal.  I know
from experience that I will need the lens to be  more open, or middle F-stop
but to fine tune it the DOF button is handy.  5.6 or 8???  2.0 or 2.8????
11 or 16???  I often can't make those subtle choices from experience, so
then I might bracket f-stops if I am unsure.

I admire you RF guys for this.

Aram


>Date: Sun, 08 Sep 2002 09:53:20 -0500
>From: Jeffery Smith <JLS@runbox.com>
>Subject: Re: [Leica] RF question from an SLR kind of guy
>Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.0.20020908095005.041d2e88@pop.runbox.com>
>References: <200209072348.QAA23465@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
>
>Since using a rangefinder, my DOF has become much shallower because the RF
>lenses I have are, for the most part, better than my Nikon SLR lenses were.
>I use the markings on the lens for some things, but I tend to shoot wide
>open or nearly so for most subjects. My preference is to remove the
>distractions in the background by throwing them into a sea of bokeh. When I
>do want some background in focus, then I go for the optimum aperture (which
>is usually f/8) and rely on hyperfocal settings.
>
>JLS


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