Full Frame DOF

[spacefuzz]

So I went out shooting with my new D800 this weekend, stepped up from a D7000. I was expecting a change in DOF but wow....it was very very suprising. Landscape shots I was shooting at f/8 I now needed f/18 to get in focus. Anyone else have a similar experience?

 

[Trever1t]

Doesn't sound right. The D800 may have focus issues, there are reports of AF malfunction...not to make you worry but it is a known problem.

 

[Mrgiggls]

Yeah... I agree. It sounds like a AF calibration may be needed.

 

[Big Mike]

Yes, you would likely need to stop down to a smaller aperture, to get the same DOF with a full frame, that you got with an APS-C camera. But having to go from F8 to F18 sounds like a bit much.

To find out, find a DOF calculator and do the comparison for yourself.

 

[cannpope]

That's why I would've waited a bit to get a "new" camera...takes a little while to work all the quirks out

 

[gsgary]

Doesn't sound right. The D800 may have focus issues, there are reports of AF malfunction...not to make you worry but it is a known problem.

I got shot down for mentioning that a club member had problems

 

[spacefuzz]

Hmm interesting AF problem. I will test mine out at home tonight, but my 14-24 is giving edge to edge sharpness at f/18. I also was not noticing it being out of focus or hunting, just not hyperfocal like I want. I was 12" above the ground shooting rocks as my fg.

On the DOF field comparitor I was playing with my 14-24 full frame at f/13 should give comparable DOF to my 10-24 crop lens at f/8 when as wide as they will go.

I will upload samples if I have time tonight.

 

[Trever1t]

yes, I imaging so but test it at f3.2 and see your results. At f18 no doubt you're getting a deep DOF but also your not getting images as sharp as possible with the D800 due to lens diffraction.

 

[Robin Usagani]

DOF is only affected by focal length, aperture, and focus distance. Rut roh... Full frame vs crop talk again?

 

[spacefuzz]

Rut roh... Full frame vs crop talk again?

it started out as a interesting statement, there doesnt have to be drama!

 

[spacefuzz]

yes, I imaging so but test it at f3.2 and see your results. At f18 no doubt you're getting a deep DOF but also your not getting images as sharp as possible with the D800 due to lens diffraction.

True, but if I am remembering correctly the blur units on the 14-24 at f/22 are 2.5, less than many lenses at f/8 in the corners. Its just sexy.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Full Frame vs Crop Sensor Depth of field myth

Also, dont get DOF and Circle of Confusion size mixed up. The COC is bigger on crop sensor because you are more zoomed in. All the DOF calculator I have seen give out different DOF for different sensor. I dont really buy that. I guess since you use crop sensor, you are more zoomed in. So the image on the foreground that appeared sharp with full frame, is not as sharp with the crop sensor since you magnify it more. But I really think the DOF is the same.

 

[analog.universe]

That article doesn't take into account framing. If you shoot the same lens at the same distance and the same aperture on crop and ff, then there won't be a difference. In the real world no one does that. When you're shooting full frame you either move closer to the subject, or use a longer lens to obtain the same framing, in which case the DOF is more shallow.

The OP has switched from 10mm to 14mm, so an adjustment in aperture will be necessary to compensate.

The difference is not a myth. Maybe under controlled conditions that have nothing to with the subject being photographed, you can rule out sensor size. But when you're taking an actual image of an actual subject, you have less DOF on FF.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Yes, but if you use an online DOF calculator, you input camera, lens length, distance. You get different result of DOF for different sensor camera.

That article doesn't take into account framing. If you shoot the same lens at the same distance and the same aperture on crop and ff, then there won't be a difference. In the real world no one does that. When you're shooting full frame you either move closer to the subject, or use a longer lens to obtain the same framing, in which case the DOF is more shallow.

The OP has switched from 10mm to 14mm, so an adjustment in aperture will be necessary to compensate.

The difference is not a myth. Maybe under controlled conditions that have nothing to with the subject being photographed, you can rule out sensor size. But when you're taking an actual image of an actual subject, you have less DOF on FF.

 

[Josh66]

DOF is only affected by focal length, aperture, and focus distance.

I think it would be field of view, not focal length - right? 50mm is the same focal length on any format camera - but the field of view changes with the format.