depth of field preview and exposure lock

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Canon EOS FAQ forum : One Thread

I have been using an Elan 2E for macro flower photos. Using the custom function 4 set to 2 I can use the exposure lock button as a depth of field preview button. I use manual focusing for most of my close-up shots. My problem is, suppose I want to use both d.e.p AND exposure lock? Does the eye controlled d.e.p square in the viewfinder work with manual focus? It doesn't seem to work with my present set up. Any ideas? Jerry W.

-- Gerald Weinstein (geraldw@educ.umass.edu), August 17, 1999

Answers

Gerald,

I use the Elan IIE and 50mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.8 lenses with extension tubes when doing these kinds of close-ups. What I do is set the lens on manual (always), the meter for "partial metering" and set the camera exposure control on manual mode. Then I use either a gray card or my hand (+ 1.0 EC) to set the appropriate exposure. If the lighting is difficult to judge and the shot is important, I bracket at least +/- 0.5 (slide film).

If I'm using flash (380EX with off-camera cord and Lumiquest Pocket Bounce), then I set Manual exposure for the background, and try to get the selected partial metering point on the flower. Then I use FEC to bracket what I think will give me a well-balanced shot (or for whatever I'm trying to accomplish).

Anyway, that's my method; you may figure out a better way. The key is to try everything and use what works.

Good luck,

Kevin M. Allen

-- Kevin M. Allen (kevinmallen@worldnet.att.net), August 18, 1999.


Thanks Kevin. That was helpful. What do you use for depth-of-field preview? Jerry W

-- Gerald Weinstein (geraldw@educ.umass.edu), August 18, 1999.

Jerry, to answer your last question, eye control DoF Preview does not work in manual focus. I wish it did. I've been taking quite a few landscapes this summer and it's real dissapointing to manually focus to the hyperfocal distance, then try to double check with eye control DoF Preview. It doesn't work. You have to set the lens to AF and then try to look at the tiny square without hitting one of the three AF spots and changing focus. This would be my number one choice for modifying the elan iie if I were king for a day. If there's a better way I'd like to hear it. I guess like you, I could set the CF but I don't want to muck with the exposure lock button. I think this might be a "live with it" situation. Ted

-- Ted Hendy (hendy@c2i2.com), August 18, 1999.

Gerald,

I set Custom Function 4 to put depth-of-field preview on the "*.CF" button, on the back of the camera (set it to "2"). Then I contort my arms and hands and head in order to press the DOF button while adjusting the focus and aperture. This works fine for me. Some may say it's too difficult, but you have to work with the tools available.

If you still want to use exposure lock, the same button you use for DOF should lock it for you. I just tried it on mine in Av mode, and it worked.

Of course, as I stated earlier, I always use manual exposure mode for closeups anyway (even if the light is changing). It just seems more natural to me. Most of the time, I leave the auto focus on, and set autofocus on the back and exposure lock on the front, use manual mode, and focus manually (I have a couple of old FD cameras and have gotten used to it). In low light, I usually hit the AF button.

Well, I'm rambling, so I'd better shut up now.

As always, listen to the advice, try it for yourself, and then do what feels right to you.

KMA

-- Kevin M. Allen (kevinmallen@worldnet.att.net), August 18, 1999.


Jerry,

Sorry about that first paragraph. I neglected to look back at your original question in order to remind myself that you're already using the manual DOF button.

I guess the answer to your original question is, "Use the DOF preview button on the back of the camera to both check DOF and to lock exposure." Let me know if your camera doesn't do this.

Of course, a downside to this is that you (probably) need to release the DOF button before making the exposure, and you will only have 4 seconds to make that exposure before you lose E Lock. This could be a disappointment when trying to catch a spider catching a meal (as I was doing this morning), or waiting for moving flowers to stop moving, etc. I don't know what subjects you're shooting, or how close you are getting, so I don't know if this will be a problem.

The other downside is that if you lock exposure while checking DOF, then recompose your shot, your DOF check is probably no longer valid.

This is all too complicated for me, and that's why I set the exposure manually (and use a tripod, except when using flash or shooting extreme closeups with large apertures in direct morning/evening sunlight with fast shutter speeds, which can be pretty interesting).

Well, I'm rambling again.

KMA

-- Kevin M. Allen (kevinmallen@worldnet.att.net), August 18, 1999.



And that sentence that started with "Most of the time..." applies to when I'm not shooting closeups. Hope I've thoroughly confused you.

Boy, am I tired. I think I'll go to bed.

KMA

-- Kevin M. Allen (kevinmallen@worldnet.att.net), August 18, 1999.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ