why not a video camera with DOF?

[JauJau]

Hi everyone,
I'm planning to buy a 35mm adapter. I have this (probably) stupid question: Why video cameras have that little DOF compared to film cameras ??? Is there any technical explanation there? :huh:
thanks

[Forrest Schultz]

Please never post again until youve researched and searched for that. Try wikipedia and type 35mm dof adapter, that place is amazing.

BUT HERE: The TECHINICAL REASON is that the sensor size is whats important. The bigger the image sensor is, the shallower dof. The smaller the sensor, the deeper the dof. most camcorders have a 1/3" size sensor. 35mm film has a an image sensor area of 36mmx 24mm (or close to it) while a standard camcorder with a 1/3" image sensor has an area of about 5mmx3mm from what i could physically measure. BIG DIfference, and is why everything looks almost in focus on a 1/3" camera. so thats why we make DOF adapters. NOW DONT go Asking questions until you look for an answer first. These questions should not have to get repeated hundreds of times.

[Robert Pottorff]

the book of a thread at the top of this forum is also another great place to start

[TeamJoeDawn]

Please never post again until youve researched and searched for that. Try wikipedia and type 35mm dof adapter, that place is amazing.

BUT HERE: The TECHINICAL REASON is that the sensor size is whats important. The bigger the image sensor is, the shallower dof. The smaller the sensor, the deeper the dof. most camcorders have a 1/3" size sensor. 35mm film has a an image sensor area of 36mmx 24mm (or close to it) while a standard camcorder with a 1/3" image sensor has an area of about 5mmx3mm from what i could physically measure. BIG DIfference, and is why everything looks almost in focus on a 1/3" camera. so thats why we make DOF adapters. NOW DONT go Asking questions until you look for an answer first. These questions should not have to get repeated hundreds of times.

Forrest, chiding other users for being inquisitive won't go very far into making this a popular, fun-to-belong-to forum.. just turn people off.. Your point is well taken, but it could be a little kindler. Your not talking to your son or daughter, here.

[Forrest Schultz]

your right, sorry

[TeamJoeDawn]

NP.. I know where you are coming from... I've both been guilty of not researching, and been on your end.

Have a GREAT day!

J

[Dennis Wood]

This one's good:

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/depth-of-field.htm

Nifty DOF calc too. In a nutshell, shallow DOF with the tiny image recorded on video camera CCD's is difficult. Max zoom with small F/stop values are the only way without an adapter. Up the imaging element size to 35mm or better still, med/large format, and shallow DOF becomes much easier to achieve.

[ovjamaica]

Please never post again until youve researched and searched for that. Try wikipedia and type 35mm dof adapter, that place is amazing.

BUT HERE: The TECHINICAL REASON is that the sensor size is whats important. The bigger the image sensor is, the shallower dof. The smaller the sensor, the deeper the dof. most camcorders have a 1/3" size sensor. 35mm film has a an image sensor area of 36mmx 24mm (or close to it) while a standard camcorder with a 1/3" image sensor has an area of about 5mmx3mm from what i could physically measure. BIG DIfference, and is why everything looks almost in focus on a 1/3" camera. so thats why we make DOF adapters. NOW DONT go Asking questions until you look for an answer first. These questions should not have to get repeated hundreds of times.

Actually, this definition is wrong. The size of the sensor has NOTHING to do with depth of field. Think I'm crazy? Read what Barry Green has to say about it. (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=893) The reason it is hard to get shallow depth of field with small cameras is that they use such short lenses and have a small field of view. The reason cameras with larger sensors seem to have shallower depth of field is because they have a larger field of view for a given focal length. For example, say you have a 50mm lens on a 2/3" sensor. You'll have a lot larger FIELD OF VIEW on the sensor than a 50mm lens on a 1/3" sensor. You're seeing the exact same depth of field, you're just seeing a different portion of that same image.

There is a lot of confusion over this, and I think most people don't fully understand the optical concept. I'm not saying I'm an expert either, I'm just saying that we might as well pass along the correct information. And what better source of correct information than Mr. Green? :D Read his whole explanation in that thread and you'll have a much better understanding of depth of field.

[MovieMakersClub]

Every Question is an oportunity (excuse me if I spelled that wrong.) to learn. As a teacher (not grammer) , I learned more when the students asked questions than when I lectured.

[dustino]

You need to be aware my friend that if you ask a question that has been asked in the last 100 Years, some misery will tell you to research it before you ask.
Why people are so unfriendly about these questions is totally beyond me. If they find a Question irritating, why don't they ignore it, instead of being unpleasant to to the guy asking the question? You can see why there are Wars.
What has happened to make people so intolerent of others?

I agree in many respects, Justin - ESPECIALLY THIS ONE (wtf?) There are some questions, though, that get ridiculous (which mic should I buy?) but even then, a simple "do a search" will suffice or, as you say, ignore.

[vortex677]

Okay guys relax. He admited he was wrong and apoligised.

[snodart]

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=71373