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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Depth of field question.
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06/18/2003 07:59:11 AM · #1
I have a Canon Powershot A40. It has an option for Macro, Snapshot & Infinity modes. Macro I understand :) but I'm trying to grasp using Snapshot and Infinity modes in "manual" mode.

In the manual it says that "Snapshot" mode should be used for photographing objects in the 1.5 - 2.5 metre range and "Infinity" mode for landscapes or for where you want to keep both close and distant objects in focus. I'm assuming these modes are to help automate different depth of field shots.....snapshot mode for shallow DOF and infintity for greater DOF. These modes I can understand being available in "program AE" mode where you don't have any control over the aperture, but I can't understand why these options are available in "manual" mode where you do have control over the aperture. Would I get better results for a shallow depth of field shot if I combine both "snapshot" mode and an aperture say of f2.8 and vice versa for a greater depth of field photo by combining both "infinity" mode with an aperture of F11? Or would I be better off just adjusting the aperture by itself and ignoring the "snapshot" and "infinity" modes?

Anyone have a similar camera with these options?

Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Hasp
06/18/2003 08:10:51 AM · #2
often times these have much to do with the aperture itself, but is to guide the autofocus.. in macro mode, the autofocus is only in the enar range, in snapshot mode is in the typical 1.5-2.5 meter range.. and on landscape, the autofocus is locked to infinity.. no matter what aperture you're using.. i'm talking of course in manual modes.. In more automatic modes, the landscape option might force a smaller aperture (f5.6+) and maybe the macro mode will force a larger aperture (f2?) but when you're in manual mode, it's all up to you.. FOr a landscape, i think i read somewhere that a 5.6 aperture is the sharpest.. for any other situation though, you can pretty much use any value toget the effect you want.. Those macro, landscape, etc modes are only for your focusing.
06/19/2003 06:40:26 PM · #3
Thanks for clearing that up Andre.
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