1000D with 18-55 help with DOF

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B16 VAS

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John
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I got the 1000D 18-55 for my girlfriend today as we want to get into photography and I've realised I can't achieve a good picture with it boasting some depth of field action.

I have it on AV. The F numbers only go down to 3.5. Is this why? Because the lens is not capable of going down to 2.8 so I will never get a good DOF shot?

Sorry if this is in the wrong section? :S
 
I am not sure you have worded your post right. You saying you want DOF, well every shot with have DOF it how much you get that I am thinking your talking about.
I am taking it you are looking for shallow DOF with this lens your DOF will depend on what mm your lens is set on. if your at 18mm then it will be hard to get a shallow DOF you get a shallower one at the 55mm end.
Take a look here to understand it more
 
generic_image_view.php


Sorry for not being clear. The above is what I'm trying to achieve. At 18mm I can set the lens to F3.5 but at 55mm the lowest it goes is F5.6 or something :(
 
I used to use the 1000d and 18-55 kit as a full time camera, here's a set of pictures with a shallow depth of field taken with this combination:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/simonbell19/sets/72157624435074959/


To maximise a shallow dof use 55mm, the widest aperture and closest focus.

You wont get much of a shallow dof with much else than this so its not v good for portraits, for that i suggest getting a rather cheap 50mm f1.8 mkII
 
Maybe consider a 50mm 1.8? Would definately achieve the results your after.
 
simonbell19 said:
Beware that images taken with low apertures on the 18-55 IS kit end up very soft.
Click to expand...

It's not an IS unfortunately because they stopped them with the 1000D after a while but what do you mean soft?

Thanks everyone, gonna give it a go now and see if it works and I'll look out for a 50mm f1.8 :)
 
B16 VAS said:
It's not an IS unfortunately because they stopped them with the 1000D after a while but what do you mean soft?

Thanks everyone, gonna give it a go now and see if it works and I'll look out for a 50mm f1.8 :)
Click to expand...


soft is the opposite of sharp, it means that you cant define the pixels very well.
 
simonbell19 said:
Beware that images taken with low apertures on the 18-55 IS kit end up very soft.
Click to expand...

I find statements like this to be a bit strong....
It should be "May Be soft".. you can not say 100% that every lens will be, I have found some kit lens to be very good.....
 
Oh thanks. Everytime I go for something in the background it re-focuses before it lets me take the pic and puts whatever is in the front into focus. Way around this?
 
B16 VAS said:
Oh thanks. Everytime I go for something in the background it re-focuses before it lets me take the pic and puts whatever is in the front into focus. Way around this?
Click to expand...

If you focus on what you want, and then keep the shutter button pressed half way - it locks the focus and doesn't change until you release the button. You can then recompose and press it fully to take your shot.
 
JackMcIntyre said:
If you focus on what you want, and then keep the shutter button pressed half way - it locks the focus and doesn't change until you release the button. You can then recompose and press it fully to take your shot.
Click to expand...

Wooo. Got it. Thanks a lot people. Need a memory card now and to buy my 500D and then the criticism will begin :)

Very helpful bunch!Thanks.
 
HAHAHA

Love the picture of the finger.....

You should talk to my mum, she can get great pictures of her thumb ;-)
 
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