How can I get a shallow depth of field with a Nikon 18-105mm kit lens?
Asked 12/22/2010
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I’m learning photography with a Nikon D7000 and the 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. I want to make portraits with a blurry background, but so far most of my photos have everything in focus.
Can this lens produce a shallow depth of field? If so, what settings and shooting technique should I use to get the strongest background blur?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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I gave pretty much the same answer before, but here it is again for completeness. To minimise DOF and get the blurred background effect you should:
Use as long a focal length as possible.
Use a wide aperture low f/ number (but don't zoom out increase the f/ number as the actual lens opening gets no bigger)
Use as close a focussing distance as possible (but don't zoom out to get closer). Depth of field diminshes very quickly with focus distance, so much so that it becomes a major problem with macro photography getting a non blurred background (or subject!)
Compose so that the background is as far away as possible. The further away objects are from the focussing distance the blurrier they will be.
Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1375
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes — you can get background blur with that kit lens, though it will be more limited than with a faster prime lens.
To get the shallowest depth of field possible:
- Use the longest focal length you can, around 100–105mm.
- Use the widest available aperture at that focal length, which is about f/5.6.
- Move as close to your subject as you can without causing awkward perspective or distortion.
- Keep the background as far behind the subject as possible.
- Use Aperture Priority or Manual mode so you can keep the lens wide open.
The key is subject distance and background distance: close subject + distant background = more blur.
At the wide end of the lens, even though the f-number can be lower, you’ll usually get more depth of field, so wide-angle shots tend to keep more of the scene in focus. For portraits, the telephoto end is usually better.
So: yes, it’s possible with your kit lens — try 105mm, f/5.6, get close, and avoid backgrounds that are near your subject.
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