Nikon D50: shouldn't everything be in focus when the lens is zoomed out as far as it can go?

Question

When I try to take pictures of myself with a tripod, I zoom out as far as it can go, but I'm still blurry. I can't use autofocus because I'm not in the photo for it to focus on yet. How can I change the depth of field?

Answer 1

Hello Sarah.

What you need to do is use manual focus and a technique known as "zone" or "pre" focus. Measure from your camera to the place where you'll be or estimate how far you'll be from your camera. Using the "distance scale" on your lens barrel, set focus to the measured distance. Use a focal length that is approximately the mid-point on your zoom and set the f-stop at f8. If your lens doesn't have a "distance scale" then you'll have to use a stool or a tree or something to pre-focus on.

As to your question "Shouldn't everything be in focus when the lens is zoomed out as far as it can go?" the answer is "No". The wider the lens (16mm, 20mm, 35mm) the more Depth of Field (DOF) you have, especially as you stop the lens down (f8, f11, f16). At longer focal lengths, DOF decreases at the same f-stops.

Here are a couple of examples based on lenses mounted on a 35mm film camera. Although not fully applicable to your camera, they are still useful as illustrations. Sensor size also affects DOF.

Lens focused on subject 20 feet away:

35mm lens

@ f8, DOF is from 8'-10" to infinity
@ f11, DOF is from 7'-2" to infinity
@ f16, DOF is from 5'-8" to infinity

100mm lens

@ f8, DOF is from 17'-4" to 23'-8"
@ f11, DOF is from 16'-5" to 25'-8"
@ f16, DOF is from 15'-3" to 29'-0"

200mm lens

@ f8, DOF is from 19'-4" to 20'-9"
@ f11, DOF is from 19'-0" to 21'-1"
@ f16, DOf is from 18'-8" to 21'-7"

If we focus on a subject 10 feet away:

35mm lens

@ f8, DOF is from 6'-2" to 27'-6"
@ f11, DOF is from 5'-4" to 105'-0"
@ f16, DOF is from 4'-6" to infinity

100mm lens

@f8, DOF is from 9'-4" to 10'-10"
@ f11, DOF is from 9'-1" to 11'-2"
@ f16, DOF is from 8'-9" to 11'-8"

200mm lens

@ f8, DOF is from 9'-10" to 10'-2"
@ f11, DOF is from 9'-9 3/8" to 10'-3"
@ f16, DOF is from 9'- 6 3/4" to 10'-4"

Answer 2

The best wide angle zoom lens for any Nikon APS-C DSLR is the Nikon 12-24 mm, but you want low-price .. the best low priced, third party lens is the Tokina 12-24 mm lens ... about 50% less than the Nikon.

Answer 3

when ur zooming out ur trying to get stuff farther away in ur picture so its going to be blurry if u want to take a picture of urself trying going closer to the camera

Answer 4

put something where you will be, manually focus on it then set the timer and jump into the frame

a wider setting will give better depth than a telephoto zoom

a

Answer 5

Put your camera on aperture priority mode, and set your aperture as far down as it goes (highest number).

Or find something or somebody to sit exactly where you will be, and manually focus on the location.