Trying out my new EF 50 f1.8 - how does the exposure look?

[AndyA]

Just a couple of quick dog snaps. I wanted to try f1.8 just to see how it performed, but perhaps in this instance I may have been better off going a bit higher?

Could you let me know if the first image looks OK as far as exposure goes and does the second image (which has been slighly altered) look better? I'm not sure if the first looks right.

[Nathaniel]

Re: Trying out my new EF 50 f1.8 - how does the exposure look?

Both are a bit soft- esp the nose. Perhaps the lighting is not too good.

[AndyA]

Re: Trying out my new EF 50 f1.8 - how does the exposure look?

Thanks Nathaniel. I was aiming at the eyes and I had the f stop too low. I also don't have the steadiest of hands. :-)

[tesarver]

Re: Trying out my new EF 50 f1.8 - how does the exposure look?

Hi Andy, I also find that the older I get, the less steady I am.:reface:

But thanks to the newer cameras Increasings the ISO helps in compensating for the lack of steadiness with minimal impact on the photo itself.

Tom

[AndyA]

Re: Trying out my new EF 50 f1.8 - how does the exposure look?

Thanks Tom.

For a shot like the one above, what would be the recommended aperture to use? No doubt that may sound like a daft question, but I'm very much a beginner.

[tesarver]

Re: Trying out my new EF 50 f1.8 - how does the exposure look?

As for the f-stop, if it eas a side shot & focused on the eye, the DOF would be fine, however, with his long snout F1.8 may have been to shallow if you wanted his entire face in focus. At f 1.8 you have approx 67.33 cm in focus using a 7D, @ 5 meters. @ f/4 approx 1.4 meters would be in focus. Now this varies from camera type to distance from the subject you are focusing on. I would suggest you get an APP called "Simple DOF" that you can use to determine what would be in focus per distance, camera & f-stop. Otherwise you need to play with the lens z& take notes. Hope this helped.

Tom

[John27]

Re: Trying out my new EF 50 f1.8 - how does the exposure look?

Hi Andy, I think there a wee bit under exposed, and a more extensive depth of field would help with the softness on the dogs nose and ears. Something like f8 or f11 would be better, but the downside to this is a longer shutter speed, or a higher iso. When I'm in the studio at college shooting portraiture, we usually use around f11 to keep everything sharp on the models face. But there's plenty of light around to keep shutter speeds up.

John

[AndyA]

Re: Trying out my new EF 50 f1.8 - how does the exposure look?

It does help, thank you! I'm off to scour the Android Market for some useful phone apps.

John, thanks a lot for your reply too. I need to try again when the dog has stopped moving around, she turns her head away when she sees me pointing the camera at her! :-)

[Applefan]

Re: Trying out my new EF 50 f1.8 - how does the exposure look?

Hi Andy,
With f1.8 the depth of field is clearly too shallow to allow both the nose and eyes to be in focus. The best way to establish the ultimate aperture for a particular type of photo is to take several shots at different apertures and compare the results. That's the joy of digital photography, you can take lots of photos at no extra cost.

[AndyA]

Re: Trying out my new EF 50 f1.8 - how does the exposure look?

Thanks Martin, the shot was quite experimental on my behalf. :-) I'd literally just got home from town with my shiny new lens and I was very keen to try it out (new toy and all that). The first thing I did was to get carried away and select f/1.8 just because I could with this lens. ;-) As you rightly say, there no harm in trying different settings.

Edit: I've tried using the depth of field preview button, but I find it difficult to see any difference other than the view getting darker.

[briansquibb]

Re: Trying out my new EF 50 f1.8 - how does the exposure look?

I find that on a human f/4 or f/5.6 works well

Dogs about f/8 - aim half way down the muzzle

[AndyA]

Re: Trying out my new EF 50 f1.8 - how does the exposure look?

Cheers Brian. :-)

[paul linton]

Re: Trying out my new EF 50 f1.8 - how does the exposure look?

Hi Andy
I think you should try over exposing the image as your dog has dark eyes, and i think that been able to see the eyes better would create a stronger focal point to the image.
Suggest you keep upping the exposure compensation by+ 1/2 stops till you achieve brighter clear eyes.

Paul

[AndyA]

Re: Trying out my new EF 50 f1.8 - how does the exposure look?

Many thanks Paul. I have to say that I've never tried altering the exposure settings on the camera, a little scared that I might do more harm than good to my photos. :-)

[paul linton]

Re: Trying out my new EF 50 f1.8 - how does the exposure look?

Many thanks Paul. I have to say that I've never tried altering the exposure settings on the camera, a little scared that I might do more harm than good to my photos. :-)

Hi Andy
Nothing to be scared about you can soon change the settings back to normal,Not sure what Canon you have but somewhere there's a button with a +/- sign just hold it down and turn your thump/index finger wheel to increase + or to decrease - the exposure.To return to normal scroll the pointer back to the middle Normally has a 0 in the middle of the markers. Give it a try on any subject and get used to using it.You'll be surprised the amount of times it comes in Handy.