Camera Lens Question

A longer focal length with a large aperture (lower number, i.e. f/2.8) will isolate the subject from the background. This effect is exaggerated as the focal length gets longer and the aperture wider.

So try this-- take your 55-210 lens, and choose something to take test shots of. Set the aperture wide open, and then take photos as you zoom in closer. See the background becoming more separated from your subject?

Selective focusing is usually done in camera done in camera. The only thing I would suggest is zoom in as close as you can, place your focus point on the main subject and shoot at a wide aperture to blur the background. Oops I guess I posted too late, Matt beat me to it.

Judy,
Most of what your wanting to do is decided by you, as the one taking the photo. What determines this is your f stop, composition and your focal point. If you want to really minimize and and "blur" the backgrounds you must use a lens that can open up to a large aperture, ex: f1.8, f2.8. Most "kit" lenses will not open up that much. Another way to do it is in post. Using programs such as Photoshop, etc,

Hope that helps a bit!

ps...yeah, what those guys said! :)

Thanks, I had been doing the opposite, I have been shooting in AP quite a lot,,,and keeping the f stop lowest possible. I can't get the aperture as low as 2,8 in AP mode with this camera, I am guessing I need to start using manual more if I want to achieve these results! Yikes! I also have been using AF which stifles the creative process too . I am going to really start using manual exclusively until I can achieve my desired results, I will mess up a lot of photos in beginning but will be worth it in long run,

EDIt My f stops don't go too low in the auto modes, I hope I can achieve better results when I start using manual more often,

It looks like the 55-210 has a maximum aperture of f/6.3 at 210 mm, and f/4.5 at 55 mm. Aperture priority should still work fine, just as long as you ensure you are shooting as wide open as possible. Since you can't stop down anymore than this, try to make your subject separated from the background by more physical distance.

Also, I recommend sticking with autofocus for most situations, especially handheld. Manual is nice when you need it, but in many situations the autofocus will do just as well.

I have to shoot on auto focus with the state of my eyes. Everything else is on manual all the time

Judy, your camera has an APS-sensor in opposite to a full-frame sensor (which is more expensive). The good news is you will get generally a sharper middle sector and background - the bad news is you donīt want that in your case... a fullframe sensor would suite you better, however sometimes it is a terrible job to shoot an all sharp picture of a still life setting with a full frame camera - if you want all things to look sharp.

Another option is to consider a Lens Baby. Cheaper than getting an f/2.8 lens and they can do some amazing things. The drawback is they are very specialized to selective focus so one would not be your "walk around" lens. They are available in Sony E mounts.

http://lensbaby.com

Judy - on the side of the lens somewhere it will tell you the maximum apertures.
The smaller the number the easier to achieve those blurred backgrounds, but in your case it will take some extra work to get as much as you can.

This one was shot at 300mm, f/5.6 - put the focus point right on the eye.


And this one at 50mm 1.8


Same effect, very different focal lengths and f stops.

Thanks everyone for the additional info. Chuck, The "lens baby is a great concept Too bad all lenses don't swivel, huh! ?!m heading to South Beach this afternoon for a few days and will try out those suggestions, Thanks again!

Mirror-less camera have far less ability of short depth of field compared to say a full frame. You can do some selective blurring with Photoshop or OnOne Perfect Effects. Perfect effects has a nice tilt-shift effect.

I am starting to conclude Edward that i need to get photoshop or ps elements. Anything else I suspect will be a compromise.. I have been using post edit photo manipulation in some cases or photo filters in other instances when I get a nice composition shot with less than ideal surroundings. Ideally though I would like to accomplish goals in camera with right settings whenever possible!