DOV preview button

[wlcling]

Was reading about the DOV preview button on the front of my D200. Just how does it need to be used? Does'nt seem to do anything other than the strobing flash fire...

[calebk]

Originally Posted by wlcling Was reading about the DOV preview button on the front of my D200. Just how does it need to be used? Does'nt seem to do anything other than the strobing flash fire...

Firstly it's (Depth-Of-Field) DOF preview.

Secondly, you're not gonna be previewing any depth-of-field if your aperture setting is set to wide open. By nature, the lens is already focusing wide open, and if your aperture setting is also wide open and you attempt to preview, you're gonna be looking at the same aperture size, right?

Take for instance I'm using a 17-55 f/2.8 on my D200 and I'm on A mode with my aperture set to f/2.8, and I preview, of course I won't get any effect because I'm "previewing" f/2.8. However, if I set my aperture to anything smaller than f/2.8, pressing the DOF button will preview the DOF at that aperture.

[Youhong]

DOF preview button where DOF = Depth of Fiew

The aperature is at its widest when you look throught the viewfinder. When you depress the button, the aperature size will close down to the aperature you set on you camera. This is useful when you want to judge how much depth of field you want since DOF is dependent on the aperature size.

Example: Using a lens with max aperature size as f1.8.
Aperature is set to f5.6, when you look through the viewfinder, the aperature is still f1.8. Depress the DOF button, the aperature size will close down to f5.6. You will notice that the image actually looks darker and the background of your subject becomes sharper since DOF increases.

In a nut shell, the DOF preview button lets you see how the final image (DOF) will look like if you use different aperature sizes.

[wlcling]

thanks for your replies. i guess i was playing with that button when i was using the same aperture as the lens (i.e, 1.8f prime)

[Scaglietti]

Originally Posted by wlcling Was reading about the DOV preview button on the front of my D200. Just how does it need to be used? Does'nt seem to do anything other than the strobing flash fire...

You have probably set the DOF button to perform a modelling flash. Check your manual. The setting in within the menu.

BC

[Youhong]

Originally Posted by Scaglietti You have probably set the DOF button to perform a modelling flash. Check your manual. The setting in within the menu. BC

I din't know this!

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by Scaglietti You have probably set the DOF button to perform a modelling flash. Check your manual. The setting in within the menu. BC

Still, it will stop down the aperture of the lens when the button is depressed..

[huggable]

I find the view through the viewfinder is so small that the DOF preview just darken the whole view. Can't see much personally.

[wlcling]

i guess the modelling flash is to lessen the darkness created when pressing the dof button..

actually, i was playing with the dof button when i first got the camera, and thought that was just a nifty button to play with... ie, to light the way while stumbling in the dark, etc... hahah

[Scaglietti]

Originally Posted by wlcling i guess the modelling flash is to lessen the darkness created when pressing the dof button.. actually, i was playing with the dof button when i first got the camera, and thought that was just a nifty button to play with... ie, to light the way while stumbling in the dark, etc... hahah

The modelling flash is like the modelling light of the studio flashes. It gives you a preview of the lighting setup. More useful if you use multiple flash when you are using the CLS.

BC

[scenar]

Originally Posted by huggable I find the view through the viewfinder is so small that the DOF preview just darken the whole view. Can't see much personally.

haha, u havent seen the d70s viewfinder yet the viewfinder even darker.....

On the d80 (which has the same viewfinder as the d200), I find it gd enough for the DOF preview to be useful.