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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Zoom Power/Lens Size and Depth of Field
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Showing posts 1 - 4 of 4, (reverse)
AuthorThread
Canon EOS Rebel T6s
Canon EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM
 04/20/2003 08:45:56 AM · #1
I own a Toshiba PDR-M71. It's my first digital and for me it was a good choice looking back on it. It has most of the auto settings one could want and also offers Tv,Av, Full Manual, and Program. Also it was the cheapest cam in the 3MP range at the time. Definitely most "bang for the buck". What I don't like is the zoom range and power (only 3x optical). I've found that for Macros it has a decently shallow DOF but for portraits it sucks DOF-wise. There are lenses available from Tiffen. Would a telephoto like this help increase my DOF for portrait type shots? I realize this is also F-Stop dependant. The PDR-M71 starts at F/2.9. Any insight?
Nikon D100
 04/20/2003 10:18:42 AM · #2
Hello,
A longer focal lenght is going to decrease DOF even more. So no this wouldn't help your portrait shots at all. I believe Tiffen makes wide angle adapters too, that would be better if you wanted to go that route. What I would try is stopping down the lens. Try f/5.6 or f/8, your aperture is going to determine how much of your scene/picture is in focus. The wider the aperture, the smaller the f/stop number, the less you have in focus.
Nikon D200
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di for Nikon
 04/20/2003 10:24:22 AM · #3
I have a Tiffen 2x lens (37 mm) for my Canon. To me it doesn't really help with depth of field. That said I haven't really given it a test at portraits, as I find it a pain to try to get the camera to focus with it. If your camera has a manual focus option, it is easier. Also, the documentation for the lens says that it is best to use it at your camera's maximum zoom, which closes the aperture somewhat. Used at wideangle (f2.8 on my camera), the image has a very noticeable vignette.

If you are trying to blur the background of portrait shots, some helpful instructions on doing it in software can be found in this thread

(scroll down to Tim's response)
Canon EOS-20D
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon
 04/20/2003 12:51:42 PM · #4
orussell, if i read you correctly, you also want a shallow DOF for portraits. if that's true, then yes, a telephoto will make your DOF shallower. how much shallower, i cant answer because im not experienced with your camera. as usual, try getting as close as you can to the subject, and also move the subj as far away from the bg as you can. these will all help. best of luck.
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