Limited space, shallow DOF at DVinfo.net

Rob Brookler · August 23rd, 2012, 08:20 PM

I'm shooting a series of short lectures, delivered by a single person seated in her office (speaking directly to the camera), with bookcases in the background. I'd like to achieve a shallow enough DOF so that the bookcases have at least a gentle blur. Unfortunately, the office is quite small with max distance from subject to bookcases about 3 feet and distance from camera to subject about 4 feet. And I need a fairly medium shot of the subject (mid-waist to top of head). Would this be achievable with an AF100 and perhaps the Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 lens?

Other specs:
Resolution: 1080/30p
Lighting: ample controlled lighting (5.6K fluorescent)
Audio: boom stand with mic

I can record audio to external recorder (Roland R44), so I suppose a digital SLR might be an alternative to the AF100.

Thanks in advance for any guidance you can offer.

Bill Bruner · August 24th, 2012, 03:07 AM

Rob - the

25mm Nokton

should be fine, especially wide open. Here is an interview in a similar setting using a http://www.adorama.com/ZICP35FNK.html:

Good luck - and please let us know how the lectures turn out.

Cheers,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

Rob Brookler · August 24th, 2012, 11:52 AM

Bill, thanks very much!

I just noticed the Panny LUMIX G 20mm f/1.7 Aspherical Pancake Lens ... at about $900 less than the Nokton. Do you think this lens might be adequate for this job?

Thanks, Rob

Oren Arieli · August 24th, 2012, 02:54 PM

Can you shoot from outside the door with a longer lens? For shallow DOF, you'll want the subject 1/3 distance from the lens (and 2/3 the distance from the background). There are also 'cheats' of hanging a large sheet of frost diffusion behind the subject. If you don't see reflections or creases, then it looks like a softened out-of-focus background. Another option is to go dramatic with lighting and put pin spot glancing across the books, but letting the rest of the background go dark. You'll need a grid on a softbox for your main lighting, otherwise, you'll be battling spill.

Kevin McRoberts · August 24th, 2012, 04:04 PM

Rob, I've used the 20/1.7 and Voigtlander 17.5 (as well as others) to do interviews in some very very small offices... often just from desk width distance, getting a medium.

25mm (like the PanaLeica 25/1.4) can work, but from a little farther away.

Rob Brookler · August 24th, 2012, 06:13 PM

Oren and Kevin, thanks! The door is mid-wall and opens out to a very narrow hall, so not much help here. But I can "reposition" subject and camera to get a bit closer to this 1/3 - 2/3 ratio. I had just ordered a grid for my softbox key, as the walls and ceilings are bright white so I'm getting all kinds of spill. I'll probably try the 20/1.7, based on all your input. If this doesn't do the job, I'll try something more "creative" with the background.

Thank you all very much! Rob B.

August 23rd, 2012, 08:20 PM	#1
Rob Brookler New Boot Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 5	Limited space, shallow DOF I'm shooting a series of short lectures, delivered by a single person seated in her office (speaking directly to the camera), with bookcases in the background. I'd like to achieve a shallow enough DOF so that the bookcases have at least a gentle blur. Unfortunately, the office is quite small with max distance from subject to bookcases about 3 feet and distance from camera to subject about 4 feet. And I need a fairly medium shot of the subject (mid-waist to top of head). Would this be achievable with an AF100 and perhaps the Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 lens? Other specs: Resolution: 1080/30p Lighting: ample controlled lighting (5.6K fluorescent) Audio: boom stand with mic I can record audio to external recorder (Roland R44), so I suppose a digital SLR might be an alternative to the AF100. Thanks in advance for any guidance you can offer.

August 24th, 2012, 03:07 AM	#2
Bill Bruner Major Player Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Sunny California Posts: 513	Re: Limited space, shallow DOF Rob - the 25mm Nokton 25mm Nokton should be fine, especially wide open. Here is an interview in a similar setting using a http://www.adorama.com/ZICP35FNK.html: Panasonic AG-AF101 test shoot - interview footage ( AF100 ) on Vimeo Good luck - and please let us know how the lectures turn out. Cheers, Bill Hybrid Camera Revolution

August 24th, 2012, 11:52 AM	#3
Rob Brookler New Boot Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 5	Re: Limited space, shallow DOF Bill, thanks very much! I just noticed the Panny LUMIX G 20mm f/1.7 Aspherical Pancake Lens ... at about $900 less than the Nokton. Do you think this lens might be adequate for this job? Thanks, Rob

August 24th, 2012, 02:54 PM	#4
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 919	Re: Limited space, shallow DOF Can you shoot from outside the door with a longer lens? For shallow DOF, you'll want the subject 1/3 distance from the lens (and 2/3 the distance from the background). There are also 'cheats' of hanging a large sheet of frost diffusion behind the subject. If you don't see reflections or creases, then it looks like a softened out-of-focus background. Another option is to go dramatic with lighting and put pin spot glancing across the books, but letting the rest of the background go dark. You'll need a grid on a softbox for your main lighting, otherwise, you'll be battling spill.

August 24th, 2012, 04:04 PM	#5
Kevin McRoberts Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 700	Re: Limited space, shallow DOF Rob, I've used the 20/1.7 and Voigtlander 17.5 (as well as others) to do interviews in some very very small offices... often just from desk width distance, getting a medium. 25mm (like the PanaLeica 25/1.4) can work, but from a little farther away. __________________ Freelance pudgy bearded lighting camera operator www.mcbob.tv

August 24th, 2012, 06:13 PM	#6
Rob Brookler New Boot Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 5	Re: Limited space, shallow DOF Oren and Kevin, thanks! The door is mid-wall and opens out to a very narrow hall, so not much help here. But I can "reposition" subject and camera to get a bit closer to this 1/3 - 2/3 ratio. I had just ordered a grid for my softbox key, as the walls and ceilings are bright white so I'm getting all kinds of spill. I'll probably try the 20/1.7, based on all your input. If this doesn't do the job, I'll try something more "creative" with the background. Thank you all very much! Rob B.