Depth of Field scale on Summaron 35mm f2.8 with M8 - advice needed

[photoneil]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi guys,

 

I'm a recent convert to the M8 and rangefinders in general. I've been using the M8 with a Summaron 35mm f2.8 and after reading Chris Weeks' Street for the Purist article I've been trying to mess around with the depth of field scale.

 

Only problem I'm having is that it's not really working that well. Can you give me some advice?

 

Is there a margin of error using digital? Does the cropped field of view change the depth of field scale? How do I correct? Does the difference in the COF on the digital sensor make much of a difference?

 

Any help you could give me I'd really appreciate it.

 

Thanks

 

Neil.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[carstenw]

To get satisfactory depth of field with the M8, you will need to use at least 1 step smaller scales (for example, read f/5.6 scales when lens is set to f/8), and some say even two. The circle of confusion, on which the scales are based, is quite out of date, and digital needs much more care.

[Shootist]

It would help if you stated what you are trying to achieve? Shallow DOF or what.

With a f/2.8 lens you will never get a shallow DOF like you can on a f/2 or f/1.4 lens.

Also you might want to check your lens TO M8 focus accuracy. If the lens and camera combo don't focus correctly for what you think is IN FOCUS then you can throw out any DOF calculations.

There is also focus shift where any given lens will focus slight different as you stop the lens down.

[photoneil]

Carstenw - thanks for the reply. I'll put that to use in some tests and see what I can come up with. Hopefully all I need is the practise

 

Shootist - I know I'm not going to get as shallow DOF as a 1.4 etc. That wasn't the question. I am inquiring on the best and correct way to read the DOF scale on a 35mm Summaron on a digital. I appreciate your response though. How would I check the lens TO M8 focus accuracy? At the moment I'm getting excellent sharp pictures when focusing by sight. Does this indicate it's ok?

 

I'd appreciate any further help...

 

thanks