why???DEP preview and RC-1

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hi i have a Canon EOS 50 QD wqithout eye control but according to the manual, i still can use the DEP preview using Custom Function ihave tried....succeed and failed again same setting nothing change but sometime the DEP preview works but sometimes the AE lock is overlap the DEP preview while the same setting...confirmed is remained so WHY??? this really gimme a kick and how to see a difference in DEP preview....i can see there's darkening of the view..and a zzzz sound...nothing more...so what should i see? and one more...anbout the RC-1 usage....why must we cover the eyepiece when Selftimer/ remote control is used? thanks

-- luic (luic@tm.net.my), September 30, 2000

Answers

I have the same camera, the N.A. version, the ElanIIe.I think I know what's happening, why the depth of field function seems not to work.

Try this: Set your camera in Av Aperture Priority or M Manual mode. Dial in your lens' maximum aperture, the smallest number being the largest. For example, on my Tamron lens, the maximum aperture at 28mm is F4, at telephoto it's F5.6. Now, try the function. Nothing will happen because YOU ARE ALREADY LOOKING THROUGH THE LENS AT ITS WIDEST APERTURE, being F4 at 28mm in my case. Now change the aperture to F8, f11, F16, or ANY (higher number) SMALLER aperture. Now the view darkens when you use the depth of field function BECAUSE THE LENS HAS CLOSED DOWN (called stopping down) TO YOUR SHOOTING APERTURE, the one you set, and you're now looking through THAT aperture. You see? Just let your eye become adapted to the darker view and you will be able to see what's in focus and what's not.

Initially, before using the depth of feild feature, your camera is enabling "wide open fucussing and metering" by maintaining the widest aperture until you release the shutter when the lens will close down to the aperture you set.

I do a lot of low light and night photography and often check my depth of feild to be sure that the region I want to be in focus will indeed come out in my photo in focus. Keep in mind that depth of feild ("depth of what's in focus in the picture", say from in front of a person to behind that person) varies with focal length, distance from the subject AND aperture.

It's also useful for checking your range of focus when shooting groups of people. Regarding the eyepiece cover on your strap. Supposedly this prevents light from entering through the viewfinder and affecting the picture. Perhaps someone else can explain that one.

Feel free to email me if you need anything clarified.

-- Roy Kekewich (roykekewich@yahoo.com), September 30, 2000.

-- Roy Kekewich (roykekewich@yahoo.com), September 30, 2000.


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