C300: C300 & 1DC question: sharpest aperture for shoot talking head interviews???

N

Nicholas Natteau

Veteran
For two upcoming interview shoots with the C300 and 1DC, I'm trying to determine what the best aperture settings would be for a talking head interview. I would want the background out of focus but the talking head completely in focus. I plan on shooting the interviews in medium closeup format (head and shoulders) and have been assigned the following Canon L lenses: 24-105mm f/4, 70-200mm f/2.8, 35mm f/1.4

Because I'll be shooting in C-log, to give myself maximum latitude in post, I would want to shoot at ISO 850 with the C300 and ISO 400 with the 1DC. I happened also to discovered this page on how to find your lens's sharpest aperture:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/focus.htm

Would these calculations hold true with Canon L lenses?

Eager to learn from the rest of you what aperture settings you prefer/recommend using for shooting talking head interviews. Thanks very much in advance.
 
If it's going to be a 1080p web delivery, then you won't notcie any differerence in sharpness across aperture range.

Use aperture to control DoF and exposure, not sharpness.
 
Thanks Marvinhello, but it may be for more than web delivery. My concern is if the interviewee moves around in the chair a little. While I'd want the background out of focus, I would want to make sure there's enough depth of field so that the talent is completely in focus, not just their eyes and nose. Like you would see in a "60 Minutes" or "Frontline" interview. Thanks again.
 
5.6-8 will be the general sweet spot. don't overthink it, quality glass is usually sharp to begin with, no reason to nitpick a stop here or there
 
I'll also add that I LOVE using the 70-200 2.8 for interviews. (although in full disclosure I use it on a b-cam for an off-axis close angle for the emotional moments.) We usually shoot around the 5.6 area and I never have problems with focus - besides, if the subject moves, the cam op changes focus with the subject.
For a-cam I always use the 24-105, usually around a 35-50 range. At that range it's a little tough to get super blurry backgrounds especially on an f4, but I've grown weary of 5d-esque blurry backgrounds on wide angles.
My 2 cents
 
Center resolution for lenses are usually best a stop or two down, but borders will take longer to catch up, but the center MTF will slightly go down the farther you stop down past the center resolution sweet spot. That is sorta a general rule that applies to most lenses
 
Since none of use know the actual room size and distance your subject will be at. Might I suggest... A smart phone app like pCAM which is an invaluable tool to keep in your kit for quickly figuring DOF, FOV, for any lens camera combo, as well as a ton of more useful features. Well worth the money!
 
Thank you everyone for your feedback. And thanks David for that app suggestion. I actually have that app, but never thought to use that function yet. Great to know. Will try it out and upload my results later this week.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top