DOF Calculators

[Edd]

Hi Guys,

I have been toying with the idea for some time now about buying a Depth Of Field calculator and was looking for advice really on would buy/do you have one ?????

I'm trying to have a little more control over DOF a few photos that I have recently taken show the main subject a little soft and its been down to DOF not being deep enough.

I understand the basics with closing the aperture, but sometimes I think it should of been closed a little more to get my subject all in focus.

I did speak to a guy in a photography shop who dismissed the idea and has caused me to think twice, I know there is no short cut on experience but I'm just trying to help myself to get to grips with DOF.

I have played around with the DOF calcs online, but that's no good out in the field if you see what I mean.

Thanks in advance.

Ed

[bob_r]

Ed,

I don't have one and have never used one in the field, so it's difficult for me to imagine whether or not they would be useful. Unless I'm shooting landscapes, I doubt that I'd have time to mess with a calculator and if I'm shooting landscapes, I'm going to close the aperture anyway.

In case you'd like to have one and have a cell phone, here's a link to a freebie that you can download to your phone.
http://www.jibble.org/dofcalc/

If you give it a try, let us know how you like it.

[Edd]

Thanks Bob,

I'll see if I can figure out how to get it on my mobile phone.

Regards

Ed

[Edd]

Hi All,

Tried to download the software from the link but my phone isn't to keen on it for some reason and won't allow me to download it onto the phone. (I'm using a Blackberry.)

However I can open Excel spreadsheets on my phone and manipulate them so after another search I found this:

http://performancephoto.us/Photocalc.htm

I used it for real for the first time this morning whilst taking photos of our horses. I only used it to give me a guide of what DOF I would have when shooting at 28mm (or 44.8mm with crop factor) at f5.6 and f3.5 from 10ft away. The answer was a DOF(s) about 9.5ft & 5.5ft respectively.

So my theory was horses head would be in focus but anything behind would be soft. Bingo it worked !!!!!!

I know more experienced guys may shake their head in shame but it helped point me in the right direction, Personally I wouldn't of shot at f3.5 thinking the DOF would be to shallow but it wasn't.

Downside, it is fiddly to use, but if you have the time it can act as a guide to help you get the right aperture and DOF for your shot.

I'll continue to use it as a guide when time allows.

Hope this is of use.

Ed