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Thread: Focusing with the Centre Filter in place ?

  1. #1
    Martin Aislabie's Avatar
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    Focusing with the Centre Filter in place ?

    Hi guys

    I have a a Schneider 47mm XL lens and need a recessed lens board to focus at infinity.

    At the moment I am focusing with the Centre Filter in place but it makes seeing the aperture scale difficult and adjusting it extremely tricky.

    I am told there is a possibility of focus shift is you were to focus without the CF in place - is this true ?

    So, I was wondering what everyone else does ?

    Do you focus with the CF in place or focus first, set the aperture plus speed and then fit the CF.

    Thanks

    Martin

  2. #2

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    Re: Focusing with the Centre Filter in place ?

    I've never focused with a filter attached to my lens (except for UV filters, of course) -- CND filters included. Find something else to worry about, although I'm sure some will tell you to lose sleep and get an ulcer about it.

    If you are a worrywart, make a test -- one shot focused with, and one without. Then compare and decide for yourself.

  3. #3
    Corran's Avatar
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    Re: Focusing with the Centre Filter in place ?

    There is no reason to focus with the CF in place. Focus does not shift with filter in front of the lens. There is focus shift if you were to use a filter behind the lens.
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  4. #4
    Drew Wiley
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    Re: Focusing with the Centre Filter in place ?

    The only problem is that you will be focusing a dimmer image. But I never had a problem doing so. One will in fact choose to focus with the filter(s) in place if your camera is set up on a little protruding slab of rock with its front end overhanging 500 feet of thin air below. Been there, done that, more than once. Was too busy peeing my pants to bother wondering whether it was the correct technique or not. Just wanted to get it done as quickly as possible.

  5. #5

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    Re: Focusing with the Centre Filter in place ?

    I have a 47mm XL lens and perform focusing without CF before taking pictures. I do not see any focus shift.

  6. #6
    Martin Aislabie's Avatar
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    Re: Focusing with the Centre Filter in place ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Drew Wiley View Post
    The only problem is that you will be focusing a dimmer image. But I never had a problem doing so. One will in fact choose to focus with the filter(s) in place if your camera is set up on a little protruding slab of rock with its front end overhanging 500 feet of thin air below. Been there, done that, more than once. Was too busy peeing my pants to bother wondering whether it was the correct technique or not. Just wanted to get it done as quickly as possible.
    Drew I admire (I think !), your steely determination to get the shot.

    You wouldn't catch me within 100 yards of a 500ft drop.

    Although I did face a similar problem with wanting to take a photograph near a sudden drop.

    Rather than messing around on the edge, I set the camera up and focused it at a safe distance - after all with something like a 47mm lens - everything is at Infiniti

    So all I had to do was point the thing in the right direction, install a darkslide and fire the shutter.

    I was still not comfortable being that close to the edge but at least my at the edge was reduced.

    Martin

  7. #7

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    Re: Focusing with the Centre Filter in place ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Martin Aislabie View Post
    Drew I admire (I think !), your steely determination to get the shot.

    You wouldn't catch me within 100 yards of a 500ft drop.

    Martin
    Sounds like it's time to put TUWEEP on your "bucket list".

    https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/tuweep.htm

  8. #8
    Alan Klein's Avatar
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    Re: Focusing with the Centre Filter in place ?

    Quote Originally Posted by xkaes View Post
    Sounds like it's time to put TUWEEP on your "bucket list".

    https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/tuweep.htm
    Ten feet was enough at the 2000' cliff at Dead Horse Point State Park near Canyonlands in Utah.

    Map satellite: https://www.google.com/maps/@38.4700.../data=!3m1!1e3


    Click image for larger version. 

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    Re: Focusing with the Centre Filter in place ?


  10. #10
    Martin Aislabie's Avatar
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    Re: Focusing with the Centre Filter in place ?

    "Thanks" you guys for your kind and thoughtful suggestions for a suitable photographic location !

    But, I think I'll pass on this one

    Just for now I'll stick to nice flat and even locations.

    Martin

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