How to focus in group shots

M

mehdigeo

New member
Hi,

I m new here, its my first question.

I had a nikon d60 with a kit lens before it was easy to focus all points on it for a landscape with AF area selector every thing was in focus, I just bought a nikon d800 having difficulty to focus all points in a shot, i could not find a setting where i can focus all in a single shot, specially when shooting group shots of people. I m using 24 70 mm i tried 2.8 till 11, every time some part of the picture is in focus but others out of focus. what is the best setting for shooting landscapes and shots where you want all things in focus.

really appreciate if someone could help
 
W

wornish

Senior Member
Welcome

If taking a landscape shot you need to focus at whats called the hyperfocal distance I know it sounds technical but Google it for more details.
Here is a good link that explains it.
Nature Photography Instruction - Hyperfocal Focusing


The other point is that you have taken a huge leap in image quality going from the D60 to a D800 and the D800 is very unforgiving in terms of movement caused by poor technique. So if you want really sharp pictures when taking a landscape you ideally need to set a small aperture at around F/11 and using a tripod and the shutter delay ( or a remote release). The D800 is amazing but like all good things you have to work at it to get best results.

Hope you enjoy the D800
 
M

mehdigeo

New member
Thanks a lot Wornish for a detail reply sure ill try the hyperfocal distance. Can you also explain some simple technicque to focus all people in a group shot, i know i m asking a simple thing but cant figure out to set the options on the camera... Confused by the auto focus points system ...


What will be the best focus setting on a d800 camera to shoot group of people?


Really appreciate your help
 
W

wornish

Senior Member
The only time I use the multiple AF points is taking shots of something thats moving, so I use a single focus point for most shots. Set the AF setting to single point by pressing the centre button on the lower left side of the camera and rotating the rear wheel to select af-s and also the front wheel to S. For groups shots you need a reasonable depth of field so keep the aperture as high as possible F5.6 or above in good light. Again if hand holding keep the shutter speed as high as you can and focus on the eyes of someone in the middle of the group. You can select which one of the 51 separate focus points to use using the rear 4 way switch.
 
BackdoorArts

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Wormish is spot-on about hyperfocal. I use it for group shots and landscapes all the time.

What I would add is, if you don't have hyperfocal lines on your lens, get a depth of field app for your smartphone and use that to choose an aperture setting that will provide proper DoF for your group. With a 24-70mm, unless your group is very small and you are at 70mm. or you've lined them up one behind the other, you should have no issues with getting the entire group in focus. At 50mm and 10 feet (likely too tight and too close, but go with me) at f/11 your depth of field is 9.5 feet!! So everything from 7 to 16 feet from you is in focus, which is technically closer than you need. I focus 1/3 of the way into the group, using single-point autofocus (AF-S), knowing that I get more DoF behind than in front. In fact, unless I'm shooting birds in flight I'm always in AF-S mode, and if you're shooting groups and events you should be too.

Here's a site where you can play with your numbers. Online Depth of Field Calculator
 
J

joenmina1

Senior Member
Also, if you are going to use Live View, you can use the face recognition option to ensure focus on all the faces (I believe it tracks up to 5 faces). I usually use f5.6 with that combo to ensure sufficient DOF. I would also recommend reading Thom Hogan's Complete Guide to the Nikon D800/800E.
 
R

Roger3006

Senior Member
Ditto on all the above. Use a tripod or monopod when you can. I use the 1/3 method all the time.

I like a shutter release. Whatever it is called my mirror flops up and there is a 2 second delay before the shutter pops. That is not practical when hand holding a camera but great when using a support.

In my opinion, one little thing may not make much difference but a lot of little things can make a big difference. I do everything I can to shoot the best image possible.

Must importantly, practice. In my opinion, photography is 10% theory and 90% practice.

Good luck,

Roger
 
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