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01/06/2012 01:13:50 PM · #1 |
Hi
And happy new year to all DPC members.
I have a new 85mm 1.2L lens am I am having real trouble getting some really nicely focused shots.
I realise that there is nothing anyone can do about my apparent lack of ability but there are 120 owners of this lens ( according to DPC)
I am sure that someone who really knows how to get the best from this lens or at least this style of lens can give me a few pointers.
Well I hope they can.
If not it may end up on eBay :-)
Thanks everyone
Best wishes
Guy
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01/06/2012 01:37:26 PM · #2 |
You need to be a bit more specific about your focus problem.
Is it only wide open? - Keep in mind the DOF on this lens is paper thin, you may need to stop down. In a full face portrait, tt's easy to have the eyes tack sharp and the tip of the nose a fuzzy blob.
Is the AF "missing focus", or not focusing where it should? - Try it with manual focus...the lens/camera may need to be calibrated to each other. |
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01/06/2012 01:44:58 PM · #3 |
Thanks
Sure
I have read that the DOF is very thin.
I have also read about calibration.
What is this?
Can I do it?
Also some people say use AI Servo mode others say use one shot.
I really want the effects that the BOKEH can give but maybe it is an instrument that is meant for studio work and I am starting to wonder if it's right for me.
If I stop it down I am sure it will help but then I think, I should just use my 70-200 2.8L IS if I intend not to use the wide open features of this lens.
When I get it right it looks great.
That's about 1 in 20
Not sure what I can do to improve my hit rate.
Thanks for your help.
Guy |
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01/06/2012 02:00:24 PM · #4 |
Try this DOF calc
On FF at f1.2 at say... 3 meters = +/- 4mm...
That's pretty thin.... especially hand held on a person or something that is not dead still. You on a tripod (that would improve it I assume).... Otherwise it's just going to be technique. Hats off to the photg I see do this for weddings and stuff... beyond my ability and I don't own anything quite that fast/length.
For the MA... Hit google, lots of ways to do it and if you want to throw $$ then some products. It's a frustrating thing to do IMO but well worth the effort. That MIGHT be the issue but more likely a bit of both. |
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01/06/2012 02:16:03 PM · #5 |
also be aware of focus and recompose at large apertures. when you hit your focus point its all good but as soon as you recompose your shot the focus is now off.
//www.digital-photography-school.com/the-problem-with-the-focus-recompose-method |
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01/06/2012 03:18:39 PM · #6 |
Try turning off the AF and focusing manually on a static subject with the camera on a tripod. Does that look right? Then it's not the optical part of the lens itself.
If you're going to use AF, I'd select an appropriate focus point, then use the * button to set the focus before shooting. Try shooting the same static subject from the tripod using AF this way. If the images aren't sharp where the focus point is, you need to calibrate the camera's AF to the lens...there are a variety of tools to help.
And, as Mike mentioned focus recompose is NOT the way to go when dealing with paper thin DOF.
If those don't get you where you need to be, then the problem is either your subject moving or you moving after the AF has been set. |
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01/06/2012 03:41:29 PM · #7 |
Thanks
I'll try that now.
I appreciate all your advice.
Guy |
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01/06/2012 05:05:02 PM · #8 |
Do this:
- Set your center AF point to be the only one active
- Set your camera for one-shot AF. Don't use AI Servo!
- Focus, and shoot immediately. Even your body's slight motion between focusing and shooting can put your subject out of focus. If you can, brace yourself against something so that you can't "rock" back and forth.
Once you have your technique down, it will be easier (though never truly easy) to get focused shots wide open.
Micro-adjustment is something that you can do, but before you try that, you should be confident using the lens, and you would definitely want a tool to help you do the adjustment.
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01/06/2012 06:27:37 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
Do this:
- Set your center AF point to be the only one active
- Set your camera for one-shot AF. Don't use AI Servo!
- Focus, and shoot immediately. Even your body's slight motion between focusing and shooting can put your subject out of focus. If you can, brace yourself against something so that you can't "rock" back and forth.
Once you have your technique down, it will be easier (though never truly easy) to get focused shots wide open.
Micro-adjustment is something that you can do, but before you try that, you should be confident using the lens, and you would definitely want a tool to help you do the adjustment. |
Good advice, but why the center AF point? Unless the area that you want focused is in the center. I'd pick one near the area I wanted in focus to minimize the error from focus/recompose and set the * button to focus the camera. |
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