Depth of field button on the D70

[bago100]

If I use the DOF button I hear a click but fail to notice any difference in the viewfinder.

I know this button only works in P/S/A/M modes only but I'm darned if I can tell the difference.

Could it be my eyesight or my camera or is the difference so minimal that only a person with 20/20 vision would be able to see it?

Hoping someone can shed some light on this.

Thanks

Graham

[gstark]

Switch to A mode, and set your aperture to f16.

Now try it.

[Raydar]

From about f8 up you should see the view finder darken.

Dose this happen???

Cheers
Ray

[MHD]

when not actually taking a picture the camera keeps the apeture to the maximum value to let the most about of light through to make it easy to focus and compose...
when the dof button in pressed the apeture shuts down to the set value which will both narrow the DOF and darken the image...

So if the apeture value you have set to shoot at is the maximum allowed by the lens there will be no difference..

a good test:
Take cam, find window, focus on window frame, press DOF button and look out window at scenry... do this at high and low apeture to see the effect

[christiand]

well, you could do a test.

go into M mode or A mode and fist select a low aperture number (3.5 for example). Then press that button and have a close intense look through the D70. viewfinder. Now the interesting bit starts: choose an aperture of about 22 or so. Press the same button and the viewfinder goes dark ! Hmhhh, have a look again and don't be discouragred by the dark viewfinder. Actually if you look carefully you will recognise how the DOF has changed.
I hope this helps

CTD

[bago100]

Hi all

Thanks for your help

Yes - the viewfinder picture does darken. The higher the F value the darker it gets. That would be because the little hole that lets the light onto the sensor would get smaller at high values? Yes.

It also seems to be more 3d as well when the DOF button is pressed. Of course, under lighting at night, it is a little hard to see exactly how the DOF preview impacts on pictures. Will take a few test shots in daylight tomorrow.

I think I might have been pushing the lens release button occasionally thinking it was the DOF button. New users do these kinds of things folks Don't you love them?

Do D70 users often use the DOF button before taking a photo or is the button a little used feature?

Thanks again everyone
Graham

[MHD]

for me it is a little used but essential feature...

If I am composing a picture with two important elements it can be handy to make sure that they are both in focus...

Get really handy when focusing close

[dooda]

I wish I remembered about this button more. It seems like after some consistant use, you would eventually know what DOF you need for what situation and not have to check it at all. There are so many things to consider for each photo, I can't get them all straight in my head.

WB
ISO
Shutter
Aperture
Metering modes
colors
sharpness
colors/saturation
Different flash techniques.

Honestly I always forget about something, and this isn't to mention composition and DOF. I get so focused on composition, I forget about everything past the aperture (sometimes White balance).

[Onyx]

Don't worry dooda - you're not alone. I seem to constantly forget to set/reset the ISO since that's about the only parameter not shown on the top LCD or viewfinder, unless you press the button to go change it.

I guess this is what separates good photographers from the rest of us.

[MHD]

hehe... me too... I will be shooting dark stuff and then I go out in the middle of the day and wonder why my shutter times are so fast

[dooda]

Once I shooting this bird walking on a log jam I took about 5 shots before looking at the screen, I had WB set to Florescent. I was sort of embarrassed (I was in the middle of nowhere) and erased them quickly as if some knowitall was standing there slowly shaking his head, going "tsk tsk tsk, and you expect people to take yourself seriously."

Like when you slip and fall on your butt and quickly look around to see if anyone was watching.

[darb]

can someone explain the use of this button to me.

I understand it locks down to the aperture youre using, and darkens the screen ... i presume this allows you to check the Depth of field ? All i see is a darkened view ... not that the end photo comes out looking anythin like it.

is it just used to check what is, and isnt, inside teh DOF? (which i cant tell anyway because it goes dark and its impossible to judge properly.)

its a feature ive never experimented with or found use for.

[gstark]

is it just used to check what is, and isnt, inside teh DOF? (which i cant tell anyway because it goes dark and its impossible to judge properly.)

Exactly right.

As you've observed, it's not always easy to see what's in or out of focus, but if, for instance, you're in a studio setting with decent lighting, the focus differences may become more apparent as even the darkened focus screen may still be reasonably well illuminated.

The photo, of course, won't appear to be darkened, because while you are (hopefully) shooting at the correct stopped-down aperture, you are at the sime correctly eposing the image that you're making.

[Greg B]

I used the dof preview on my first SLR (the fabulous Olympus OM-1) for a while and it helped get a direct visual understanding of DoF (Of course, being film, there was no instant feedback) Works fine outside on a bright day.

Now, however, I would like to think that I factor such considerations into my unconscious calculations and considerations. I would like to think that.

[Capturedview]

Once I shooting this bird walking on a log jam I took about 5 shots before looking at the screen, I had WB set to Florescent.

I did the same one day with my little Canon A70. I realised what I had done, it was too late, I was already home.