How do I use the depth-of-field preview button on a Nikon D90?
Asked 12/11/2011
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I’m trying to understand the depth-of-field preview button on my Nikon D90 with the 18-105mm kit lens. I set different apertures (for example f/5.6, f/11, and f/22), focus on a subject about 5–6 feet away, and press the DOF preview button, but I don’t notice any change in the viewfinder. What should I expect to see, and how can I tell if I’m using it correctly?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
6
I hate to say this, but first make sure you're pressing the right button, as I always press the wrong one. There are two similar buttons. One is the function button near the top of the lens, and the DOF preview button is almost under the lens.
If you press the DOF button, even with the aperture wide open, it will make a very clunky sound, like when you press the shutter and the mirror bounces up.
At f/22 the image through the viewfinder should get much darker.
I'm pretty certain you can't reprogram that button on the D90.
Edit: picture worth 1000 words! This is a D80, but button is in the same position (from digitalreview.ca)
Originally by user4191. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4191
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
On the D90, the lens stays wide open for a bright viewfinder until you take the shot. Pressing the depth-of-field preview button stops the lens down to your selected aperture so you can preview depth of field.
What you should notice:
- The viewfinder gets darker, especially at small apertures like f/22.
- Objects in front of and behind your focus point should look less blurry at smaller apertures.
- The effect is usually easier to see on objects closer to you than on ones farther behind the focus point.
To test it, include subjects at different distances in the frame, focus on one of them, then hold the DOF preview button while switching between apertures like f/5.6 and f/22.
Also make sure you’re pressing the correct button: on the D90 the DOF preview button is low on the front of the camera, near/under the lens mount, and it’s easy to confuse with the nearby function button. If the DOF button is working, you should at least see the image darken when you press it.
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