Help Please - I'm losing my mind!

Sigma 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical HF for Pentax

01/08/2009 09:27:08 PM · #1

I have a Nikon D60 that is driving me crazy. I have it about two months, I've read the damn manual 50 times. (I know - breath) OK - how do you take a photo without the focus squares? Can you get rid of them? I'm trying to enter the next Open Challenge. Lets say I'm taking a photo of three balls. I can not get all three in focus at the same time. I've pulled all the hair out of my head - you are my last hope. Help! Take pity on a noobie. I'm trying I swear. . . . . .

Thanks - Diane

Pug-H

Pentax K10D

01/08/2009 09:36:16 PM · #2

Ah, you need to learn about Depth of Field. If you have three balls in a row, with one closer to the camera than the others (which is what I think you're trying to achieve), you would need a small aperture (large f number) and a longer shutter speed to get them all in focus.

Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di for Nikon

01/08/2009 09:39:34 PM · #3

Can I do that with a close up shot?

JMart

Nikon D80

01/08/2009 09:41:57 PM · #4

If you want to crunch the numbers you might use this Depth of Field Calculator to determine what setup might work best for you.

01/08/2009 09:44:12 PM · #5

Thanks - I'm going to give it a try. I'll let you know how I make out.

crayon

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

01/08/2009 10:06:24 PM · #6

Originally posted by DCrest01:

Lets say I'm taking a photo of three balls. I can not get all three in focus at the same time.

change the Aperture to something with a bigger number (eg. F5.6 is BIGGER number than F2.8)
then stand further away from the 3 balls. this should give you enough DOF to get all 3 balls in focus.