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DOF preview - How do I interpret it?

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DanielJC

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I was wondering how I'm supposed to interpret the results of the DOF Prefiew (when pushing the DOF Preview button).

I see that the brightness of the picture changes brightness (relatively to chosed apperture) but I'm not quite sure, how I'm supposed to interpret this as DOF preview. How would this change in brightness simulate my current depth of field?

Thanks!
Daniel

--
Eagles may soar but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines (John Benfield)

My equipment: Canon EOS 450D/(XSi) with Kit-lense EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS, Tamron AF 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 and EF 50 f/1.8 II

My latest tries: http://www.flickr.com/danielhuser
 
Normally, the camera keeps the lens at max aperture to maintain viewfinder brightness, only changing to the selected aperture during the exposure itself. What DOF preview does is stop down to the selected aperture so you can judge the depth of field better. This will decrease the brightness of the viewfinder during the preview if you have selected a smaller aperture.

But, in addition to a lower brightness, you should be able to see more of your subject in focus due to the increased DOF at smaller apertures-but it can be difficult to see in a small viewfinder, especially at the smallest apertures where brightness is lowest.
 
Hmm.......I will have to try that again.....thanks!

-Daniel
--
Eagles may soar but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines (John Benfield)

My equipment: Canon EOS 450D/(XSi) with Kit-lense EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS, Tamron AF 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 and EF 50 f/1.8 II

My latest tries: http://www.flickr.com/danielhuser
 
I love the concept (seriously!).

A DOF table may also help you decide of the parameters (namely aperture, if you have decided the focal length) on a more "technical" basis, depending on the effect you want, then shoot and see the result. Of course you have to be able to estimate the distance to the subject.
CityLights said:
If you can not see in the dark, try throwing a cape or towel over the
camera and your head (obviously with the lens unobstructed). This
will let your eyes adjust to the dim light and you will be able to
see the dark image better.
Click to expand...
 
Its just a case of seeing beyond the decrease of brightness. Watch closely and you will see the difference immediately. Try this: Set your camera in Av mode. Set your aperture to the widest of your lens, Focus on an object which has a distant background to create enough bokeh. (Anything will do, from flowers to plastic cups on a desk.) Press the DOF Preview button and start increasing the aperture with your cameras dial. Observe closely and you will see the difference.

---
http://www.pbase.com/christakis/
 
I will try that! Thank a lot guys!

Since the change in brightness was that obvious, I did mistaken this for the actual "preview effect" and just couldn't figure out, how this would show me the dof. It's all clear now! :)

Thanks!
Daniel

--
Eagles may soar but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines (John Benfield)

My equipment: Canon EOS 450D/(XSi) with Kit-lense EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS, Tamron AF 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 and EF 50 f/1.8 II

My latest tries: http://www.flickr.com/danielhuser
 
hey, even i wondered several times how to use that, and as a result, i never use it. ;-)

pickit.
DanielJC said:
I was wondering how I'm supposed to interpret the results of the DOF
Prefiew (when pushing the DOF Preview button).
I see that the brightness of the picture changes brightness
(relatively to chosed apperture) but I'm not quite sure, how I'm
supposed to interpret this as DOF preview. How would this change in
brightness simulate my current depth of field?

Thanks!
Daniel

--
Eagles may soar but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines (John
Benfield)

My equipment: Canon EOS 450D/(XSi) with Kit-lense EF-S 18-55
f/3.5-5.6 IS, Tamron AF 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 and EF 50 f/1.8 II

My latest tries: http://www.flickr.com/danielhuser
Click to expand...
 
City :)

1) Seriously, good suggestion for quicker dark adaptation.

2) Practically speaking, if I walk around with my camera, lenses, potentially the flash, battery grip, camera bag, and now a towel over my head -- my wife WILL disown me.
 
Well said! :) Best couple I saw when I was on holidays was a couple which both of them were holding an SLR! One towel would be good for both so no worries there! I wonder what they do with gear though the guy had a canon and the wife had a nikon.

--
http://www.pbase.com/christakis/
 
CanonPhotoMatt said:
1) Seriously, good suggestion for quicker dark adaptation.
Click to expand...
I can not take credit. It is an old idea.

I remember seeing a picture of a famous photographer on a rock point with his tripod and medium or large format camera with a cape over the whole thing and lens sticking out.

The cape thing was neccesary for looking at the image on ground glass.

Old idea, new use.

Cheers!

--
CityLights
http://www.pbase.com/citylights
.
 
Good Tip! I will try that!

Thanks!
Daniel

--
Eagles may soar but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines (John Benfield)

My equipment: Canon EOS 450D/(XSi) with Kit-lense EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS, Tamron AF 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 and EF 50 f/1.8 II

My latest tries: http://www.flickr.com/danielhuser
 
It's also useful when reviewing shots in bright sunlight.

After my wife got over the embarrasment of sticking her sweatshirt over her head to review her shots, she agreed it made a big difference. (The sweatshirt also acted as a makeshift wind break when she was doing macro work.)

It does look odd though. She was sitting on the grass with a sweatshirt over her head with me standing in front of her, facing her. At least one of the passing cars stopped to work out what we were doing. (Hey, it was a warm sunny day mid-week on a beautiful hillside so I don't blame them for jumping to the wrong conclusion.....)
 
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