Tanja on "Landscapes"

Tanja — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:53:37 +0000

Bruno, there is no specific lens for landscapes.
You can create good pictures with any focal length, from most extreme wide-angle to longest focal length available.

Daniela on "Selective focus"

Daniela — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:29:03 +0000

Okay, thanks to both. I'll do a little test to see if I understood.

Bruno K. on "Landscapes"

Bruno K. — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:46:31 +0000

Which focal length is best suited for landscapes?

Evita on "Selective focus"

Evita — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:24:34 +0000

The key point to selective focusing is a limited depth of field, which is influenced by the aperture settings and the magnification factor, the latter being influenced in turn by subject distance and focal length.
In plainer words, the wider the aperture and the bigger the subject appears on your focusing screen, the shallower the depth of field and as a result the more evident the difference between in-focus and out-of-focus areas. That is the way to selective focusing.

How to accomplish this in automatic cameras may differ from device to device. Mind that automatic cameras often still have some manual or semi-manual modes.
As also Andrea suggested, give a look at you camera handbook. And please post here again when in doubt.

Andrea Sullach on "Selective focus"

Andrea Sullach — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:19:34 +0000

I'm not sure I understand you question. A few general points:

a) As a rule, pressing the shutter button halfway triggers the autofocus. Once the focus is set, feel free to move your camera before releasing the shutter.

b) The less light available, the more the lens will be set to a wide aperture, thus allowing for a wider out of focus area and enhancing selective focusing.

c) Most cameras have special scene modes which help you in obtaining specific results. As a start, please look for a pictograph similar to this one, which should be available on most cameras:

d) Do not forget to study you camera manual ;-)

Daniela on "Selective focus"

Daniela — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:56:42 +0000

How do I focus on a subject in the foreground and blur the background with an automatic camera?

Andrea Sullach on "Is a lens hood really useful?"

Andrea Sullach — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:05:17 +0000

Lens hoods not only reduce flare and increase contrast in images, but also physically protect the front lens from hitting other objects.

No need to say that vignetting has to be taken into account when choosing the right hood.

kirpi on "Is a lens hood really useful?"

kirpi — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:49:46 +0000

Definitely! A lens hood is one of the cheapest and most useful digital camera accessories at the same time.

As for the shape, round rubber hoods are the most universally sold but they are far from optimal. The right hood for prime lenses should have the same form as the camera sensor (or the film) it is used for. Plastic or light metallic hoods are fine, while rubber is just a second choice. Give a look at classic Leica or Hasselblad hoods in order to get the idea. Zoom lenses usually come with custom designed, tulip-shaped plastic shades: stick with those and remember that most probably any in-camera flash will require you to remove the hood at shorter focal lenghts.

Tanja on "Is a lens hood really useful?"

Tanja — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:59:36 +0000

My camera does not have any lens hood. Would it be worth to find and buy one?
Is there any difference in the make, shape or price?