On the rocks again.

Beautiful day called for a shoot , used a CPL on the DA* 11-18mm and K1 set at f18.

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Good scenes but f/18 is a lot of stop down and may lose sharpness.

When I use a Sigma 10-20mm etc I always do a "look up" for DOF. When I shoot SP or Goths at Whitby I always do a look up for MF and a 120mm lens as DOF is critical.

Looking at the exifs, they are all at 18mm.

So based on nothing closer than 2m (me assuming you were stood up for all shots, f/8 would cover your DOF.





I always stop and think about anything below f/11 due to potential loss of sharpness.

Smoothing movement (if required) should be via an ND filter rather than small aperture, to maintain RAW sharpness. Post sharpening can work but avoid if possible.

Only my take on it and not a "must do" approach.

Best regards

Whoops, senior moment again, I meant 18mm not f stop, but thanks for the info, my apologies.

Well they're not far off f/18. The EXIF shows they're all taken at f/13 !

I didn't even look at the exif f stop as I was looking at focal length, so a second senior moment from me.

But yes, f/13 still maybe a high number for such a lens.

Best regards

Thanks for the helpful comments and useful info.

I too usually don't go beyond f11 and half my shots on that day were f11, why I chose to shoot some at f13 has left me!! Think it was an experiment but funny how the forum 3 pics I selected were at f13! must have stood out, at least to me LOL.

I am aware of hyperfocal distance but never checked it, just relied on an aperture of f11 or F8 if and when possible.

K10D I assume you use an App when you do a "look up" for DOF ? Would be interested in which one.
I have never checked that way but have downloaded an app today (PhotoTool) to try, thanks for the tip.
I was standing for most shots with some sitting/squatting and with lens tilted down the minimum distance to say the pebbles was definitely less than 2 meters.

I tend to just shoot as SWMBO is with me 98% of the time (unless I'm out cycling when I get a pass ) , so I am under 'preasure to get on with it. LOL
However I shall up my game and at least pre-check a particular lens beforehand, probably use the mobile if required while out and about, I am trying out 'PhotoTool app but it doesn't allow me to input or select a pentax camera or lens? - I think.

I'm making excuses here but I still see myself as a Newbie' on a learning curve, a Hobbyist

I don't do apps or mobile data etc so I normally just pull up a website from a search prior to a shoot just to get some numbers in my head. A slip of card with figures jotted is easily kept at hand. One thing I do use often is the DOF preview. As you say, less than two meters but look at the numbers above, you were covered to 0.81 meters at f/8.

Best regards

I'm guessing the lens doesn't have a DOF scale on it... One of the advantages of using old glass I guess.

BTW (and more to the point) lovely images.

K.

PS I'd be hopeless at "just a minute".

Nice set! Yup, hyper focusing is your friend, remember to focus roughly 1/3 into the scene and chimp after to check