Depth of field question

[poolboyfilms]

I have a Nikon D40 for still photography. I only have the kit lens on it. I would like the blurry backgrounds on my photos so they have a more professional look. Would getting a lens like this do it for me?

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-55-200mm-4-5-6G-Vibration-Reduction/dp/B000O161X0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1257459676&sr=8-2

[WesScog]

For a decreased depth of field, you can accomplish that with the stock lens, just zoom in (telephoto in, which will help crush the DoF), and you need to open up the aperture to as low as it'll go (The lower the number the bigger the iris, and the shallower your DoF).

If you are unhappy with the DoF of your current lens even after zooming in, and opening it up wider, then the lens you posted will offer you the potential to crush it further, BUT primarily in it's focal length, and less in the aperture (since it doesn't open up as wide, the stock lens on the D40 opens up wider than this one), meaning you'll have to get further way from your subject.

What would be far more ideal would be to invest in a telephoto PRIME lens rather than a zoom, primes are almost always sharper, and offer you a better depth of field, since they usually have a much wider aperture range than zooms.

[Koolpenguin89]

zooms are almost always sharper, and offer you a better depth of field, since they usually have a much wider aperture range than zooms.

Was that a typo? I assume you meant Primes.

Dylan

[WesScog]

Yes, that was a typo, thanks.

[michaelbak]

You could buy a 50mm 1.8D from nikon for around $120 and at 1.8 it has insane DOF. You can get a 1.4 or 1.2 version by adding about $100 each time.

Other primes like telephotos and wide angles start at about $400 by Nikon.

[poolboyfilms]

You could buy a 50mm 1.8D from nikon for around $120 and at 1.8 it has insane DOF. You can get a 1.4 or 1.2 version by adding about $100 each time.

Other primes like telephotos and wide angles start at about $400 by Nikon.

Got examples of photos of this lens?

I am not a photography expert but it is a hobby and I want those blurry backgrounds.

[nooneimportant77]

You know, the whole 'primes are always sharper then zooms' thing bothers me. I've got the kit lens for my nikon (18-55 with VR), and it's sharper then some of my primes. Some are old, some are new. Either way, it's sharper.

I talked to a pro photographer about this, and he said it was the case, but not anymore. He said the zoom lenses are just as sharp as the primes. The only time I've seen a prime lens be sharper then a zoom, was using a Bolex 16mm camera. VERY different.

on another note- the kit lens zoomed in for shallower depth of field might not be the best, as the minimum aperture automatically stops down as you zoom. On my lens at 18mm I can go down to 3.5, but at 55, I believe 5.6 is the minimum. That said, I get decently low depth of field at either setting, but I've also got a 50mm 1.8 for that REALLY sexy depth of field.

Here is the Nikon 1.8 lens- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/247091-GREY/Nikon_2137_Normal_AF_Nikkor_50mm.html

[poolboyfilms]

Got any examples of that sexy depth of field?

[nooneimportant77]

All shot with my 50 1.8, keep in mind it doesn't HAVE to be this shallow.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/3866285418_457ec47691_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2502/3724599431_aca6c343b3_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3408/3445437283_70d184b7e2.jpg

You can go to the links in my signature, and see more photos, and videos. 90% of the videos with nice depth of field have a 35mm adapter with a 50 1.8 on the adapter.

[KMProductions]

Wow, noone, you bokeh looks soooo good. Especially in the bobby picture.