Aperture

[4Lmike]

My Nikkor 18-35 lens goes down to f3.5 which I thought was pretty big but its not really giving me the results I had hoped for in terms of blurring the background, especially on subjects that arent too far apart. For example have a look at this image, the focus point is at the end of the chimaera badge. i would have thought the background would have been more blurred as it was shot on f3.5, or does this look about right? And how drastic is the difference between f3.5 and f1.8? Cheers

Edited by 4Lmike on Sunday 18th July 19:14

[TooLateForAName]

What focal length were you at?


You'll find that you get narrower DOF at longer focal lengths.

Have a look at www.dofmaster.com

Edited by TooLateForAName on Sunday 18th July 19:03

[GetCarter]

Mike

Your lens will do what you want. If you set your camera to apature (or speed) priority, and take the same photo at every 'f Stop', you'll see the depth of field change in every shot.

[4Lmike]

GetCarter said:

Mike

Your lens will do what you want. If you set your camera to apature (or speed) priority, and take the same photo at every 'f Stop', you'll see the depth of field change in every shot.

I realise that, I just thought that at the largest aperture setting (f3.5) there would be more blurring of the background.

[GetCarter]

4Lmike said:

GetCarter said:

Mike

Your lens will do what you want. If you set your camera to apature (or speed) priority, and take the same photo at every 'f Stop', you'll see the depth of field change in every shot.

I realise that, I just thought that at the largest aperture setting (f3.5) there would be more blurring of the background.

It just depends how much light there is, and how long you keep the shutter open!

[rottie102]

TooLateForAName said:

What focal length were you at?


You'll find that you get narrower DOF at longer focal lengths.

Have a look at www.dofmaster.com

Edited by TooLateForAName on Sunday 18th July 19:03

That's the key. Stand further away from the car.

But still buy a 1.8

[Simpo Two]

Problem is that your lens is wide angle, whch counters the 'shallow DOF' effect. You can improve it by using it at 35mm and standing further back, but if that's still not enough you'll need a faster lens or a longer one.

Try a 50mm f1.4 and it's like a blind bloke who's lost his glasses!