Canon feature request. ViewFinder DOF calculator

[Gregory]

with today's technology, it should be possible for the camera to detect the focus distance and the aperture and then calculate the DOF with those settings (for a 'standard' CoC).

it would be very useful to be able to see the approx DOF value in the viewfinder while shooting, especially when shooting objects up close such as insects and birds. if the DOF calculator indicates 8mm of field when shooting with F8, then I would immediately know that I need a smaller aperture to get more of the bird in focus.

additionally, a DOF shooting mode where we can specify the minimum DOF in inches or mm or... could also be helpful at times.

could someone please refer these requests to Canon?

regards,
Gregory

[keith_cooper]

Much as I hate to say it ;-) ... isn't that one of the reasons you practice taking shots of different things? - to get an idea of what DOF really means (since the numerical figures you quote vary in their relevance for different subjects and end use of the image)

As to the whole COC issue (in calculating supposed DOF) I was reading Harold Merklinger's excellent article on focus and DOF
Depth of Field Revisited

The article may be 15 years old, but IMHO it still stands as one really good way to get round the whole DOF question ... I've found it a great way of visualising how sharp various bits of the picture will be. It doesn't replace all the hyperfocal distance stuff you read, just gives it a bit of context.

bye for now - Keith Cooper

PS It may well be a good marketing related 'feature', so who knows - they've done something along those lines in the past on my 1Ds (DEP mode) - I just never use the feature :-)

[Ray]

with today's technology, it should be possible for the camera to detect the focus distance and the aperture and then calculate the DOF with those settings (for a 'standard' CoC).

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There are too many things to consider here for such a system to be effective, simple and accurate. In particular, print size would be a major consideration. The aperture required for good DoF on a postcard size print could be wider than that required for the same 'appearance' of DoF on a poster size enlargement.

However, I suspect the main difficulty most of us face when trying to be precise about DoF matters is measuring the distances of the far and near objects that might be considered to be sufficiently sharp. A distance read-out in the viewfinder, to the point of focus, would be useful

Another issue is the enjoyment of the activity of taking a photo. Do you want to spend the few moments you might have to capture the scene, the window of opportunity if you like, being preoccupied with the precise distance of near and far objects, or would you rather contemplate other matters such as composition and lighting?