Why do people recommend f2.8/f2.0 etc

[D.P.]

Hehe, I am often recommending variable aperture lens to f/5.6.

It is strange on many photography forums that people seem to think you have to have paper thin DoF or you are begginer. So many photos would have been much better with a greater depth and structure. Even on my fast primes I use middle apertures like f/5.6 and f/8 or s fully stopped down more than wide open.

At times I seem to be the only person that is ever struggling to get sufficient DoF. Always a bugger when trying to shoot up close to something and add perspective. Hyper focal focusing at f/16 still only gets you so far.

 

[Schizophonic]

 

[Phate]

COS ITS AMAZING

Yeeaaaah.

 

[Barks]

No, I believe the complaint is that if you gave a person who has a DSLR but doesn't really know how to use one, or even just handed it to a family member at christmas so they could take a photo, then it wouldn't get as good results on auto as a point and shoot would if you're using a f2.8 because in low lights the camera will automatically shove it down to f2.8 and have a very shallow DoF.

I think that's roughly what you've clarified with?

If so, then that's one of the inherent problems of a DSLR, and in fact any incredible tool. If you don't know how to use it properly, the chances are you won't get a good photo.

Your average joe also probably won't invest massively in lenses, and will happily stick with their kit lens as well. Something that likely won't create these issues as much, because they won't go as wide.

kd

Spot on.

From experience of my Nikon and Canon SLRs - Anyone can shoot in Auto with the kit lens and get great looking photos. As soon as you move onto specialised lenses you lose the ability to P&S and still get solid results.

So I guess as a conclusion from this thread. In future I'll put it in manual mode with a high max ISO and set it at, say, 1/60 and f4.5 with spot metering on. Hopefully this way I'll be able to pass it around and still get good images.

 

[An Exception]

AV mode is a useful way of shooting, but doesn't work on all occasions, especially if you are wanting to shoot something in low light that might move.

The best mode to use is Manual and for low light, don't fear the ISO being upped. Once you learn to shoot Manual and use the light meter, you will wonder how you ever took photos without it.

The best mode is Av combined with Auto ISO that limits the shutter speed to hand holdable speeds. Manual is not the best mode to use unless the subject is always lit with the same intensity. If they are not, your either constantly metering with a light meter or expodisc, or you are chimping. If you understand how your meter works, then chimping is far less accurate.

If you can't link Auto ISO and shutter speed, then Av becomes a little less attractive.