DOF preview question

Hi - I'm pretty new to photography, but after a few years of using regular digital cameras, I want to now step up to a D-SLR. I think I want the D50, but the one question that has come up for me is this issue about a depth of field preview option. I've seen on here that many people think this is relatively unnecessary. However, without it, how do you get a sense of depth looking in the camera? In doing a portrait, for example, does the background look blurred or can you only truly see that after you take the picture? Sorry for what I am sure is a naive question - I'm sure once I purchase the camera, I'll realize how naive a question this really is. Finally, while I understand this is a Nikon D70/D50 forum, is my leaning towards getting the D50 as my entry camera to D-SLR make sense? Thanks for the feedback - look forward to participating more here as time goes on.
Lee

I consider the DOF preview feature indispensible. Why? Because I "grew up" with Nikon film bodies which always included the capability. During the 80's and 90's Nikon dropped the DOF preview from their "mainstream" non-pro bodies, and I was happy when it came back on the N80. It's not a feature I use all the time, and probably a lot of people never use it. But for macro work, or other times when you want to be more exacting with what will be in focus and what will not, it really helps.

Normally when you look through the viewfinder the aperture is wide open, regardless of the aperture setting on the camera. This allows the viewfinder to remain as bright as possible and lets more light in so the camera can focus properly. So, you're always seeing the shot as it will appear at the widest aperture, with the narrowest DOF. By pressing the DOF preview button, you can momentarily stop down the aperture to where it will be when you release the shutter. This lets you see more easily what will be sharp in front of, and behind the subject you are focusing on. Granted, the view will get much darker as you stop down, but you can usually make out the detail enough for your purpose.

I would say it's more important for film to have the DOF preview since you'd have to bracket your shots to be sure you get what you're after, but I find it valuable on my digital cameras as well.

I have a D70, which DOES have the DOF preview, and I haven't found it useful. The problem I have with the DOF preview is that the viewfinder is not suitable to judge whether some part of the picture is sharp or not. I've tried the button every now and then (in particular when I'm sitting around waiting for an oportunity, and am fiddling with the camera) and have rarely been able to see any effect in the viewfinder at all.

Just my 2c.

Eric
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egrivel said:

I have a D70, which DOES have the DOF preview, and I haven't found
it useful. The problem I have with the DOF preview is that the
viewfinder is not suitable to judge whether some part of the
picture is sharp or not. I've tried the button every now and then
(in particular when I'm sitting around waiting for an oportunity,
and am fiddling with the camera) and have rarely been able to see
any effect in the viewfinder at all.

Click to expand...

You won't see much difference if you only stop down 1 or 2 stops from maximum aperture. There should be a distinct difference in what is sharp in front of and behind your focus point as you get to the smaller apertures like f/8, 11, etc. Maybe what you're checking out doesn't have much detail in the foreground and background compared to the main subject. Even though the D70 viewfinder is somewhat small, I can easily check sharpness when I'm shooting macro, like flowers.

Hi Eric,

I have a D70 and use the preview frequently especially with extreme DOF situations I like using my 12-24 for those snappy foreground to infinity shots. But the D70 viewfinder does suck, I miss my F3 viewfinder so the D200 is up next.

dale

to be of much use at this level, based on prior experience. For the DOF preview to work, the camera has to have an outstanding viewfinder.

I have the D50 which does not have a preview. I think it would be a great feature, but I had two film SLR cameras and when the preview button was pushed the viewfinder got so dark that you couldn’t see anything, making the feature useless a good deal of the time. Neither the D70 nor the D50 have ever been accused of having a good viewfinder, so I just figured that for the type of shooting I do, I wouldn’t have any better luck than I did in the past. I suspect that this feature becomes more useful when you start to reach the level of a D200.

Once you work with a lens for a while you start to gain a feel for the DOF. If I’m really concerned about the DOF, I use the “A” mode and I just snap off several pictures as I click the control wheel to change the aperture between shots. One of the pictures invariably comes out with what I am looking for, and unlike film where you pay by the picture, with digital there is no cost involved.

--
Brooks

http://www.bmiddleton.smugmug.com

I daresay one profits more by the mistakes one makes off one's own bat than by doing the right thing on somebody's else advice.
— W. Somerset Maugham

While I do know what my dof will look like at any aperture. I find in indispensable when doing flower photos or extreme wide angle landscapes. I do agree that it is a bit hard to judge on a D70s and simply rotate my aperture adjustments 2 clicks past the point it looks good. This method is very reliable.

Morris

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http://qcpages.qc.cuny.edu/~morris/POD

You can always remember your DOF chart or just have it with you whenever you need a 'DOF preview'

Its not essential for general photography, as for which most use f/8 as an option and this on most lenses (specially wide angles) the difference is so small that you cant notice it.

Like other said, when you are working on a longer focal length (300 or above), or high magnification (1:1 or higher) you really need a DOF preview to see what exactly is happening!! Every macro shot I take I use the DOF preview before pressing down the shutter.

--
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Yi-P
Please visit my gallery
http://yiph.zenfolio.com/

How do you do a DoF preview on the D50?

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Leerlap said:

Hi - I'm pretty new to photography, but after a few years of using
regular digital cameras, I want to now step up to a D-SLR. I think
I want the D50, but the one question that has come up for me is
this issue about a depth of field preview option. I've seen on
here that many people think this is relatively unnecessary.

Click to expand...

I don't miss this feature at all on my D50. I had it on my Pentax Program Plus for the last 20 years and hardly used it.

If I'm looking for a blurred background I just try to concentrate on my apeture, and usually bracket the shot up and down a couple of stops. It's digital, so I delete the unneeded ones and print the good ones.

aL

I have a D70, have shot nearly 25,000 photos with it in 18 months and have used the DOF preview probably 5 times and would not miss it if I didn't have it.

First of all, it's not that easy to assess background blur or subject depth of field with the DOF preview. If you are using a large aperture, then you don't much need the DOF preview because the normal viewfinder is showing you what it looks like at max aperture. If you are using a small aperture, then the viewfinder gets quite dark when you hit the DOF preview button and stop it down to the real aperture.

Second of all, after shooting a little while, you will develop your own "rules of thumb" for what apertures to shoot at for various types of situations, particularly people shots or macros or sports telephotos and you'll tend to use that knowledge rather than the DOF preview anyway.

Third, with digital if DOF is really important to you on a particular shot, you can bracket the aperture and take several shots at different depth of field so you can decide which you like better on your high res home computer screen rather than in a DOF preview.

I'm not trying to talk you out of it if you think it's really important, just sharing my experience that I wouldn't miss it. I'd let something else be your guide for which camera to get, not this particular feature.
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John
Gallery: http://jfriend.smugmug.com/portfolio

Very very helpful - thanks everyone. I think I'll be purchasing my D50 shortly Appreciate the help - more questions sure to come...

Whilst I don't use it that often, it is very useful when I need it. I think many people don't use it because they don't think to.

To the D70 owners: just try it a few times, you could find it a lot more useful than you think.

Alan.

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Leerlap said:

Very very helpful - thanks everyone. I think I'll be purchasing my
D50 shortly Appreciate the help - more questions sure to come...

Click to expand...

I don't think I would be buying any camera until we all see what is coming in "20 days" from Nikon. Prices may go down on the D50 with a new camera joining the family.

Hello,

If you are leaning toward the D50, you are definately looking at the right camera for your first dSLR. Make sure to go to the store and feel it in your hands along with the other dSLRs that are there too. I found some of the other cameras uncomfortable to hold and it would be a real shame if you bought a D50 and then it felt uncomfortable in your hands.

I will caution you against the infamous "Lens Lust Desease" that will soon infect you after you buy a dSLR. Make sure that you check out the different lenses you can get for a D50 and other dSLRs to see which ones best fit your budget and shooting needs.