DOF on an ex1

A

astigmatic

Well-known member
hi, is the shallow depth of field capabilities really that noticeble on the ex1 as compared to 1/3 cameras? IF so how much more?
 
At full telephoto, with the iris wide open, you'll see a difference. But it's not that huge. There's a pretty decent jump from 1/3 up to 2/3; a 1/2" sensor sits right in the middle. So there is an advantage over 1/3", definitely -- but it's not night-and-day; it's not like 2/3", nor is it anywhere near like using a 35mm adapter.

If you compare 1/3" against 1/2" against 2/3" against a 35mm adapter, it might put it in perspective:
1/3" = 5mm wide chip
1/2" = 7mm wide chip
2/3" = 9mm wide chip
adapter = 24mm wide chip.

There's about the same amount of difference in DOF from a 1/4" chip to a 1/3", as there is from a 1/3" to a 1/2", as there is from a 1/2" to a 2/3". But the jump from 2/3" up to cinema-sized is just massive.

So yes, there's a difference. But you're asking "how much", so that's why I tried to put some perspective in there as to how the differences shake out. You can decide for yourself whether it's a significant or mild difference.
 
Here's an example of a DOF shot with some nice bokeh in the background. I shot it on my EX1 after a rain. I was just using it as background imagery, but the clip is to demo a jingle I wrote and produced for a client.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmy8zdo1s80

You need some distance from the subject to get a good DOF, but I found it to be quite a difference from my 1/3" VX2100.
 
astigmatic said:
thanks for that, I didn't realize there was that huge of a jump with an adapter.
Click to expand...
Depends on the adapter too. Some of them allow you to go to "full frame" size, so if you're using a Brevis or a Letus Ultimate, you can actually get a frame that's 40mm wide, or perhaps even wider. Simply massive. And the bigger the frame, the wider the field of view, which means that for any given subject size you'll need a more telephoto lens, which means you will get shallower DOF.
 
Chadfish said:
Here's an example of a DOF shot with some nice bokeh in the background. I shot it on my EX1 after a rain. I was just using it as background imagery, but the clip is to demo a jingle I wrote and produced for a client.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmy8zdo1s80

You need some distance from the subject to get a good DOF, but I found it to be quite a difference from my 1/3" VX2100.
Click to expand...
pretty darn sharp imagery and nice colors. Was that graded or done with profile tweaks?
 
After years of shooting 1/3" chips I noticed a difference going to 1/2". This video should give you a good idea of what to expect.

 
The above is a case where HD is definately NOT friendly to the bride's complexion. Skin Tone Detail, properly setup, would have been very helpful here.
 
Are you referring to color or texture/wrinkles? I have never used skin tone detail. Could you recommend a particular setup? I have a couple weddings this weekend and I could test the settings out. Thanks
 
All of the bride closeups look unflattering because of the sharp creases and wrinkles in her skin, aggravated by poorly applied makeup.

For these shots, Skin Tone Detail should be ON and first you need to set the target color, so the camera knows what that person's actual skin color hue is. Once the area depicting her skin tone is selected, adjust the skin tone detail to an aggressive level. This removes detail from areas of that color range, softening the complexion considerably.

Since you've already shot this one, your options in post are to apply slight blurring to the frames with closeup shots, and to use a digital equivalent of the 'pro mist' filter to further soften the images, making them more inviting.
 
To the point, the video does illustrate DOF.

Delivering so much detail as to unflatter the bride, it's true...but impressive what the camera sees.

Were you using a stick, or did your body get tired from the extended hand holding?
 
I use the shoulder mount from cavision. I usually go without the handgrips which basically makes the EX1 a shoulder mount camera: one hand on the zoom & rec button and the other riding the focus, iris, ND, white balance, etc at all times.

I'm like a human tripod with that setup. The only time I put it on the tripod is for the ceremony and speeches at the reception. Other than that, I'm all handheld/shoulder mount.

I used to get pretty sore in my back but after shooting about 80 weddings this year that pain has largely subsided.
 
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