I notice that the image depth of all digital imaging products (digi cam and digi video cam) is much larger than traditional cameras, even in large aperture and tele situations. Why?

-- Edmund Au Yeung (vwillrocku@yahoo.com), July 12, 2000

Answers

This is the old greater depth of field with digicams chestnut.

As I understand it, since the diameter of digicam lenses tend to be small, even in wide aperture it's like only shooting through the center of a much larger diameter 35mm lens. So even at relatively large apertures on a digicam, it's still like having a small aperture on a much larger diameter 35mm lens. So you end up with greater depth of field. Does that make sense without going into ray tracing diagrams?

Do a search on the forum for "depth of field" and you'll probably find a more elegant explanation.

-- Gerald M. Payne (gmp@surferz.net), July 12, 2000.

It sounds like you're talking about the multiplier effect; try this link (I don't agree with everything the author states) and see if it helps your understanding of why lenses on digital cameras are have a wider angle.

http://www.lonestardigital.com/multipler.htm

-- Sue Bald (destiny3@ix.netcom.com), July 14, 2000.