Playing with Nolon

[KodiakStar]

You can also see the focus/metering information by right clicking on the file, going to properties, and then to metering mode. I just looked, and it seems it was set on "Average"

Guessing, from my limited knowledge, with the f2.2 it focused on the closest point which was the nose, the next closest points being the lips, and the bridge of the glasses...

Of course, I could be way off as well

[sk66]

Originally Posted by KodiakStar

You can also see the focus/metering information by right clicking on the file, going to properties, and then to metering mode. I just looked, and it seems it was set on "Average"

Guessing, from my limited knowledge, with the f2.2 it focused on the closest point which was the nose, the next closest points being the lips, and the bridge of the glasses...

Of course, I could be way off as well

I think what you were reading was "light metering" not focus.

[sk66]

Whenever I can, I will try to switch to manual focus for this very reason. Autofocus generally needs some kind of "line" to work best. It looks to me it chose somehere other than you told it. Maybe the lips, or you weren't in a spot focus mode.
DOF tends to extend slightly in front of the focus point, and further beyond it (1/3-2/3). Knowing that can help you choose what point to focus on initially.
With eyes, you're actually focusing slightly beyond the surface, like on an object behind glass. But DOF for most situations takes care of any misfocus.

[Nathan deGargoyle]

Hi lori,

I'm guessing that, filling the frame with Nolon's face, you were within 3ft of him? If so with a 50mm at f/2.2 your dof is about 1inch. Close it down a bit so both his nose and eyes are in focus and it would be a better shot.

And don't feel that this is criticism. I spent 6 months shooting everything with my nifty-fifty at f/1.8 because I thought that's what the lens was for. Doh!

[lputman]

Originally Posted by sk66

Whenever I can, I will try to switch to manual focus for this very reason. Autofocus generally needs some kind of "line" to work best. It looks to me it chose somehere other than you told it. Maybe the lips, or you weren't in a spot focus mode.
DOF tends to extend slightly in front of the focus point, and further beyond it (1/3-2/3). Knowing that can help you choose what point to focus on initially.
With eyes, you're actually focusing slightly beyond the surface, like on an object behind glass. But DOF for most situations takes care of any misfocus.

I did check and it did focus with the point that I had chosen, I will do a set-up tomorrow and try it with manual focus. (Hopefully we'll have the same light)

[lputman]

Originally Posted by Nathan deGargoyle

Hi lori,

I'm guessing that, filling the frame with Nolon's face, you were within 3ft of him? If so with a 50mm at f/2.2 your dof is about 1inch. Close it down a bit so both his nose and eyes are in focus and it would be a better shot.

And don't feel that this is criticism. I spent 6 months shooting everything with my nifty-fifty at f/1.8 because I thought that's what the lens was for. Doh!

LOL...that's why I went to 2.2. Yes, I was within 3 ft., I'll close it up a bit when I re-shoot tomorrow.