digital SLR camera question - focus?

Question

Hello, there, I have a digital SLR camera (cannon 350d, if that helps). Its great, and takes great photos, of people, buildings, etc. But I had a problem the other day with the focus. I was trying to take a picture of a small bear (which was about 30cms from the camera) in front of a large buidling (which was across the rd, some distance away). I tried both auto focus and manual focus, but my camera would either focus on the bear (with the background blurry), or focus on the building (with the bear blurry). A normal (non SLR), un focus-able camera would be able to get both clear in the one shot, but I am not sure what setting I need to put my camera on to be able to get the foreground AND background clear and in focus. Any ideas? Thanks!

Answer 1

You'd have the same problem with any camera. If you shoot with a wide angle and small aperture DOF is maximized. Doesn't work with all compositions.You've got to look at aperture settings (depth of Field), distance to subject, focal length of lens used. There are numerous DOF scales out there on the web, check them out. You sometimes can get away with setting focus slightly beyond the bear with a small aperture.
Head for a stand of trees and practice it'll give you feedback of what range of focus you can obtian.

Answer 2

First, most lenses don't focus quite that close to the camera. Second, when you look through the viewfinder, the camera shows you what it looks like at the widest opening (narrowest depth of field) because if it showed you the f-stop you were really using, it would be too dark to see much. When you press the shutter, the camera automatically stops down for the exposure. Third, you do need to select an aperture of f16 or smaller (f22). This means that you will need a long exposure time so make sure you use a tripod so you won't jiggle the camera and blur the image.
Fourth, focus not on the bear but on a spot 1/3 of the way into the space between the bear and the background. Depth of field spreads 1/3 closer and 2/3 farther away than the point of sharpest focus.

Answer 3

If you want both the bear and background to be in focus do this.

Set your exposure mode to 'Av' -(aperture priority)

set the F number to at least f/16, the higher the better for both to be in 'acceptable' focus. Do this by turning the main dial. You can tell what the f number is by looking on the LCD panel or in the viewfinder.

If it doesn't fire. Don't panic. that just means it's too dark. In that case just put it back on the green square and shoot what it gives you or try your hand at 'M' -(manual exposure).

Your the artist and if you wanted both in focus I hope you achieve it!

Answer 4

Your camera has very selective and narrow depth of focus...that's great because it allows for precise focusing. Generally, you can center the object and slightly push the shutter button half-way down. This should lock the focus..then you can re-compose the shot any way you like and the focus should be set on the object.