9+ Best Lens for Shallow Depth of Field | Unrivaled Guide 2022

It is possible to take delicate and dreamy illustrations that are different from those taken with a good lens with a wide aperture.

Good backgrounds, sharp subjects, and the ability to shoot without autofocus free the photographer from automatic or program mode.

Different types of photography require different kinds of cameras and lenses.

However, shallow depth of field is a style that works especially well with all intermediate, large-aperture, and APS-format SLR cameras.

Best Lens for Shallow Depth of Field

No matter what type of photography you are doing, proper use of the most important part of your camera, the lens, is critical to getting the perfect picture. Also, optimizing the use of interchangeable lenses on your camera can take you from an amateur to a professional photographer. So choose your lenses carefully.

Finding the right lens for you can be challenging with so many choices. Here is a brief guide on how to choose the first lens you should buy.

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What is shallow depth of field photography? And how can you create it to achieve beautiful, professional-looking effects?

In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about shallow depth of field.

• The True Meaning of Shallow Depth of Field
• Why is shallow depth of field so effective in photography?
• Five simple ways to create the shallow depth of field effect.
• By attending this course, you will become an expert in shallow depth of field.

Sound good? Let’s start with a simple definition.

What is shallow depth of field in photography?

A shallow depth of field means that only a very small portion of the image is in focus.

For example, an image in which the subject is in focus but the background is blurred. This phenomenon is often seen in portrait photography (as you read through this article, you will notice that all of my shallow depth of field examples are portraits. That’s exactly why!) ).

Shallow depth of field contrasts with deep depth of field, where the entire image is in focus from front to back. The deep depth of field effect is often seen in landscape photography, where detail is an important component.

Why are shallow depth-of-field effects important?

Many photographers prefer shallow depth-of-field effects for two main reasons
A shallow depth of field separates the subject from the background and allows the subject to stand out.
The shallow depth of field usually blurs the background, which is really beautiful (when done correctly, of course!).

Often it is a stylistic choice that some photographers prefer shallow depth of field and others avoid it. Here are some genres that revolve around the effect of shallow depth of field.

• Portrait photography
• Wildlife photography
• Street photography (sometimes)
• Fashion photography
• Product photography (sometimes)
• Of course, this list is not all-inclusive, and in any case, you won’t feel limited. I like shallow depth of field, but if you’re shooting landscapes, that’s fine, just shoot what you want.

How to get the shallow depth of field effect

Let’s look at how to give your photos a shallow depth-of-field effect.

 The distance of the subject from the background

This is one of the easiest ways to achieve a shallow depth-of-field effect. Place your subject as far away from background objects as possible.

If the subject is right in front of a wall, it will be in focus no matter what you do. But if it is 100 meters in front of that same wall, you will get a much blurrier picture. It’s like giving the background room to blur.

Tip:

Technically, increasing the distance between the subject and the background does not make the depth of field shallower. The depth of the field does not change (it depends on other factors discussed below).

However, moving the subject forward will give the appearance of a shallower depth of field, which is almost equivalent.

Use your camera’s portrait mode.

Most modern beginner cameras have a small wheel at the top with a bunch of little icons: a mode dial.

Some beginner models have scene modes on the mode dial, such as “landscape,” “nightscape,” and “sports.”

Usually, one of these modes is portrait mode. If you are not comfortable with advanced modes (such as aperture priority mode or manual mode), portrait mode can also be useful. Set the aperture wide open (explained in the next section!) ), and you can make the depth of field shallower.

In portrait mode, you have no control over the depth-of-field effect. Therefore, we recommend using it only if you feel completely lost or if you do not intend to learn the basic settings of your camera.

Also, if you want more control, check out the following method for creating a shallow depth of field.

 Open the lens aperture

Every lens has an aperture, which opens and closes depending on the camera’s aperture setting.

Opening the aperture will result in a shallower depth of field.

In portrait mode, the aperture is automatically opened. But if you want more control, I recommend using Aperture Priority Mode or Manual Mode, where you can set the aperture freely (and watch the background blur).

If you have never set an aperture before, be aware that small numbers such as F1.8 or F2.8 correspond to a large aperture (i.e., shallow depth of field); large numbers such as F16 or F22 correspond to a narrow aperture (deep depth of field).

To get the effect of a very shallow depth of field, it is best to use an aperture of f/2.8 or higher, but different lenses have different aperture capabilities (since all lenses have a maximum f-number).

If you want to adjust the aperture to achieve the perfect depth of field, I highly recommend putting your camera in aperture priority mode, finding your subject, and experimenting with several different aperture settings. Then carefully review each photo, paying attention to how the aperture setting affects the depth of field.

Use a long lens (and get closer to your subject)

The closer you get to your subject optically and physically with a long lens, the shallower the depth of field and the blurrier the background.

For this reason, portraits with shallow depth of field are usually taken with an 85mm or 70-200mm lens rather than a 50mm or 35mm lens. Longer focal lengths allow you to get closer to the subject and achieve a shallower depth of field. Does this make sense to you?

But don’t worry, even if you only have a 35mm lens, you can still create a shallow depth of field. All you have to do is get closer to your subject. Yes, it may be a bit uncomfortable when photographing people, because you will be shooting right in front of their faces – but the results are worth it.

By the way, long lenses have another advantage over short lenses.

It compresses the background. The actual effect is hard to explain, but it softens the blur in the background, leading to the appearance of a shallower depth of field.

(Don’t get hung up on focal length, especially if you are shooting people; anything over 200mm or so will force you to use a ridiculous backdrop, which can get out of hand, and you will lose some intimacy between the photographer and the subject.)

Get a large aperture lens.

We explained earlier that a large aperture provides an excellent shallow depth of field effect. I also mentioned that lenses have a maximum aperture f-number.

So, if you really want a shallow depth of field, a lens with a wide aperture (called a fast lens) is your friend.

Unfortunately, fast lenses tend to be more expensive, but they are certainly worth the investment. There are also several fast lenses, such as the 50mm f/1.8, that are optically excellent, can blur backgrounds beautifully, and are fairly inexpensive.

(Fast lenses also allow you to shoot in the dark, which is a big plus).

Incidentally, some lenses also have good background blurring. So I recommend reading reviews (or at least looking at example images) of potential lenses before you buy. A good review will talk about the background blur (also called bokeh) and help you decide if the lens is right for you.

How to choose a lens for shallow depth of field?

There are several lens characteristics necessary to achieve a shallow depth of field. This section provides a summary of them. This article serves as a guideline for purchasing the best lens for shallow depth of field.

Model Compatibility

This is probably your first concern when purchasing a lens. To ensure compatibility, it is highly recommended that you match the model number of your camera. In the description of each product, the name of the compatible camera is in bold. If you have any questions, please contact the manufacturer before ordering.

Focal length

This is the distance between the lens and the camera film. A lens with a longer focal length has a shallower depth of field.

Aperture

Aperture, also called aperture, is denoted, for example, as f/1.8. It is based on a specific lens and reaches its maximum value at this point.

A smaller aperture means a smaller f-number. This means that the hole is larger, allowing more light to pass through. As a result, the depth of field becomes shallower. Therefore, the basic rule is to stop down to the smallest aperture value.

Minimum Focusing Distance

You can see the title! The minimum focusing distance allows close-up photography while maintaining the high image quality of the content. It adds a blurring effect to the background to make the subject stand out.

Ease of use

It should be strong enough. The lens should be lightweight and compact for easy portability.

High-quality products such as the ones we have mentioned will allow you to take beautiful pictures even in low light. For those who shoot outdoors, they should be splash, dust, and frostproof.

FAQs

Which lens has a shallow depth of field?

The Canon EF medium telephoto lens is ideal for shallow depth of field photography. It has a focal length of 85 mm and a maximum aperture of f/1.8.

The ultrasonic motor allows you to focus on a smaller area. Focusing is possible at a distance of approximately 2.8m. Excellent choice for this purpose.

 How should I shoot with shallow DOF?

You can use the lowest f-number; f0.95 will give you a much shallower depth of field than f2.8. Opening the aperture allows more light to pass through, resulting in amazing image quality.

Focusing at a very close range is possible. 2. blurring the background and foreground can make the subject stand out.

What factors affect shallow DOF?

A camera’s shallow depth of field is influenced by three factors. First is the distance between the camera and the subject. Then, the focal length is important in this game. The last thing to remember is the size of the aperture.

 Why does a larger aperture result in a shallower depth of field?

A small aperture causes light to pass through at a narrow-angle. Conversely, a larger aperture will result in a wider angle and better bokeh. Since the area in focus is narrower, light passes through it more quickly. Portrait photography is affected in this way.

Conclusion

After reading this article, you probably know all about shallow depth of field and how to create it. So let’s get out of the camera. See if you can get a nice depth-of-field effect. Try the method I suggested.

And have fun.

Now, it’s your turn.

Which method do you prefer? Do you have any tips I’ve missed? Share your ideas in the comments below!