D300 HELP?? Im freeking out about all of the focal points

OK, I got this new camera D300. But when I shoot a family of say 3-4 people and their is one little dot on someones face, how the heck do I know everyone else is going to be in focus? I'll have the app set on F8 but I want clarity in everyone's eyes not just moms. I'm scared to use this camera on jobs. HELP!

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Permalink Reply by CameraClicker on December 15, 2008 at 6:41am

Practice, practice, practice....

As far as I know, all lenses focus at one distance at any given instant and what appears focused is in the the depth of field which is dependent on focal length and aperture. Having a lot of focusing points means more opportunity to focus for any given direction the lens is pointed meaning there is less of the "focus then compose" and more of "compose and focus". As with your other camera, you can select any single focus point to be the active one, or you can let the camera choose from all of them. It is still your job to look through the viewfinder and decide if what the camera focused on is what you wanted to focus on, and adjust accordingly.

Enjoy the new tool, it will serve you well.

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Permalink Reply by Sean on December 15, 2008 at 7:09pm

How far are the people from each other...depth wise? F8 should be good enough. But play around with it. Your focal length will come into play as well.

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Permalink Reply by Kristen Ising on December 16, 2008 at 8:50am

Thanks, that makes sense. What about getting close up with a wider lense? where should I usually have the F stop. I'm nervus to work in the f/5 f/6 range.

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Permalink Reply by Kristen Ising on December 16, 2008 at 7:26pm

Dang you know your stuff. Im totally impressed. Thanks so much for the help. I cant believe how friendly everyone on this site is.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Bartholome on December 23, 2008 at 6:50am

Hi Corey, I am one of those idle one on this site. I do enjoy coming here everyday and reading what people are asking and the conversations.

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Permalink Reply by Simon Vogt on January 7, 2009 at 11:34am

f5.6 - f8 also often produces the best optics from a lens. As people have said though it does depend on how the group of people are stood

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Permalink Reply by A. D. Stone on January 8, 2009 at 3:38pm

echoing the tips of the others & adding one more (that I do remember, but violate periodically...)

"depending on the light available, at f/5.6 and smaller apertures, practice 'safe capture' : use a tripod!! :-)"

Best of luck and have fun!