D-Lux 3: Shallow Depth of Field

[GoldieLocs]

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With an aperture range between f2.8 and f8 is there anyway to get a good photo with a shallow depth of field with the D-Lux 3? I keep trying with poor results. I want to get a sharp foreground and blurred background.

 

I have been encouraged by people on this forum to try manual settings. I'm really trying!!! :)

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[farnz]

Trina,

 

The trick is to use the camera in Aperture Priority mode with a wide aperture (set to f2.8 or f4) and get close to what you want to be sharp. You can use either auto or manual focus but bear in mind that your depth of field will be shallow so you need to be able to recognise what's in focus and out of focus.

 

If you use manual focus you have the advantage that the D-Lux 3's display shows a vertical focus bar, which takes the aperture you're using and tells you the limits of what's in focus. On the downside it can be difficult sometimes to accurately judge focus on a smallish LCD screen.

 

Make sure that your shutter speed doesn't drop below, say, 1/60th of a second to eliminate hand-holding blur and then just keep practising because digital shots cost nothing!

 

Best of luck,

Pete.

[cwf]

Since you want beyond the subject blurred, you could try short focusing. The goal would be to still keep the subject in good enough focus (your judgment) while the background became farther out of focus. This will be easier at a wider aperture.

 

The Digilux 3 permits manual fine focus to adjust the autofocus. This has to be turned on and I think the camera by default has it turned off. This assumes you are using the Leica vario lens supplied with the camera. I haven't a clue whether any other 4/3 lens supports the feature.