Depth of Field comparison

[kirbinster]

I often see new photographers asking about depth of field and how f/stop impacts depth of field. I was playing around with my Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens this morning and took these two shots to show the difference in depth of field between f/1.4 and f/16 of the same shot.

The first is the shallow depth of field at f/1.4 the next is the same shot at f/16.

[Samanax]

Good examples.

This link gives an explanation of what is going on and how aperture size affects depth of field.

More information about DOF and the Circles Of Confusion:

Circle Of Confusion

Depth Of Field

DOF - Demystifying the Confusion

Depth Of Field - Part 1

Depth Of Field - Part 2

Depth Of Field - Part 3

[DCBarner]

What I would love to talk about is the article you were reading. I'm interested, as an educator, in seeing if the "Race to the Top" carrot will function better than the NCLB stick to effect student learning.

Dane

[Inconceivable]

I'm a beginning DSLR user and agree with the original poster; beginners do find Depth of field difficult!

In particular for me I was frustrated I couldn't get enough Shallow Depth of Field (SDoF) with my Nikon D90 and 18-105mm lens.

After buying an 50mm 1.8 lens you can really see the tremendous difference a larger aperture makes and now I can get significant SDoF and the blur I wanted.

I've created two examples of the largest aperture on each of my lenses so you can see the difference a lens can make to your DoF

Firstly an 18-105mm lens at f5.6 (just about the lowest it goes)



Secondly my 50mm lens at f1.8 (the lowest)



Notice the huge difference!

I'd definitely recommend anyone frustrated with inadequate 'blur' in their photos think about what lens you are using.