Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete Zicato
Camera guys please explain why this is so cool. Isn't it the same thing as setting a good camera for infinite depth of field?
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I don't think it is so cool, myself, but I won't go into that right now.
There are times when you can't set yuor camera to "infinite depth of field" That would be all the time. But I think you meant maximum depth of field, and you can still only do that if you have enough light to allow you to take a photo with the lens set at its minimum aperture. Varies by lens and camera, could be f:16 or f:90. Depth of filed is also influenced by a number of other factors such as:
1. focal length of lens (wider angle = inherently greater DOF, tele = inherently shallow DOF
2. Distance from rear lens element to CCD or CMOS chip
3. Point of focus, Closer focus point = less DOF / distant focus point = greater DOF (hyperfocal distance)
Generally, the DOF of a given focal point is spread 1/3 in front of the focal point and 2/3 behind it. eg if your DOF extends from 12 feet to 24 feet then your focal point is at 16 feet. (4 in front and 8 in back)
The most important distinction to make is that focus and perceived sharpness are not the same thing. There is only one point of focus regardless of your DOF.
Looking at the examples of that software/hardware thing it is hard to tell what they are really doing. It looks like they just took two shots at different focal points and stitched them, you can see the picture "breathe" when you toggle back and forth. The shot of the scuba guy looks like it was done with DOF, you'll see he is semi sharp but not crisp and in focus.
It's all crap. Photography is dead to me.