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moodlover · 02-10-2016, 05:25 PM

I am shooting mostly vertical portraits with the 105mm at f/2.4 and it's quite difficult to snap the eyes into focus when there isn't a bright catchlight in the eye or the subject is a bit further away. I also like to take real close-up portraits with it. I am wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks on landing the focus wide open right on the eyes of a subject while holding the camera vertically. I was looking into the Pentax 67 magnifier that flips on and off but read that only zooms in on the center? I don't put the eyes on the center so this is a big issue...

**tlp** · 02-10-2016, 07:16 PM

that is why you crop

moodlover · 02-10-2016, 07:29 PM

Originally posted by tlp

that is why you crop

...no, just no.

stevebrot · 02-10-2016, 07:41 PM

You may want to volunteer what finder and focus screen you are using. I am not sure what difference vertical vs. horizontal means in this context.

Steve

**gofour3** · 02-10-2016, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by moodlover

I am shooting mostly vertical portraits with the 105mm at f/2.4 and it's quite difficult to snap the eyes into focus when there isn't a bright catchlight in the eye or the subject is a bit further away. I also like to take real close-up portraits with it. I am wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks on landing the focus wide open right on the eyes of a subject while holding the camera vertically. I was looking into the Pentax 67 magnifier that flips on and off but read that only zooms in on the center? I don't put the eyes on the center so this is a big issue...

You're going to have to use some form of hyperfocal focusing to create an in focus zone for what you want to be sharp.

This would be easier if you had the 67ii, which has a slew of user changeable focusing screens to make life easier.

Phil.

moodlover · 02-10-2016, 08:13 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

You may want to volunteer what finder and focus screen you are using. I am not sure what difference vertical vs. horizontal means in this context.

Sorry about that, I am using the TTL pentaprism and my Pentax 67 has a small circle in the middle of the ground glass that contains a split screen (useful for central composition but not good for portraits). Vertical just means portrait orientation, holding the camera vertically.

tuco · 02-11-2016, 07:00 AM

One solution that's worked for me is the folding hood. It has a magnifying glass. You can see the micro prisms much better and those are what you use to focus with. The folding hood is doable in portrait orientation on a tripod.

Some examples of using the folding hood and aging eyesight showing it can at least do this much:

richmondthefish · 02-11-2016, 08:39 AM - **1 Like**

^^^Nice focused shots. Out of focus eyes are way too common when I view 67 scans at large sizes

tuco · 02-11-2016, 12:03 PM

Originally posted by richmondthefish

^^^Nice focused shots. Out of focus eyes are way too common when I view 67 scans at large sizes

Why thanks. The dog was a handhold shot too.

lenticular · 02-14-2016, 05:15 AM

Originally posted by richmondthefish

^^^Nice focused shots. Out of focus eyes are way too common when I view 67 scans at large sizes

Yes, I've just experienced this recently ( as a P6x7 newbie):

02-10-2016, 05:25 PM	#1
moodlover New Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 11	Vertical portraits on Pentax 67, missing critical focus on eyes...any advice? I am shooting mostly vertical portraits with the 105mm at f/2.4 and it's quite difficult to snap the eyes into focus when there isn't a bright catchlight in the eye or the subject is a bit further away. I also like to take real close-up portraits with it. I am wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks on landing the focus wide open right on the eyes of a subject while holding the camera vertically. I was looking into the Pentax 67 magnifier that flips on and off but read that only zooms in on the center? I don't put the eyes on the center so this is a big issue...

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02-10-2016, 07:16 PM	#2
tlp Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: United States Posts: 74	that is why you crop

02-10-2016, 07:29 PM	#3
moodlover New Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Originally posted by tlp that is why you crop ...no, just no.

02-10-2016, 07:41 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	You may want to volunteer what finder and focus screen you are using. I am not sure what difference vertical vs. horizontal means in this context. Steve

02-10-2016, 08:10 PM	#5
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,093	Originally posted by moodlover I am shooting mostly vertical portraits with the 105mm at f/2.4 and it's quite difficult to snap the eyes into focus when there isn't a bright catchlight in the eye or the subject is a bit further away. I also like to take real close-up portraits with it. I am wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks on landing the focus wide open right on the eyes of a subject while holding the camera vertically. I was looking into the Pentax 67 magnifier that flips on and off but read that only zooms in on the center? I don't put the eyes on the center so this is a big issue... You're going to have to use some form of hyperfocal focusing to create an in focus zone for what you want to be sharp. This would be easier if you had the 67ii, which has a slew of user changeable focusing screens to make life easier. Phil.

02-10-2016, 08:13 PM	#6
moodlover New Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot You may want to volunteer what finder and focus screen you are using. I am not sure what difference vertical vs. horizontal means in this context. Sorry about that, I am using the TTL pentaprism and my Pentax 67 has a small circle in the middle of the ground glass that contains a split screen (useful for central composition but not good for portraits). Vertical just means portrait orientation, holding the camera vertically.

02-11-2016, 07:00 AM	#7
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,032	One solution that's worked for me is the folding hood. It has a magnifying glass. You can see the micro prisms much better and those are what you use to focus with. The folding hood is doable in portrait orientation on a tripod. Some examples of using the folding hood and aging eyesight showing it can at least do this much:

02-11-2016, 08:39 AM - 1 Like	#8
richmondthefish Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 221	^^^Nice focused shots. Out of focus eyes are way too common when I view 67 scans at large sizes

02-11-2016, 12:03 PM	#9
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,032	Originally posted by richmondthefish ^^^Nice focused shots. Out of focus eyes are way too common when I view 67 scans at large sizes Why thanks. The dog was a handhold shot too.

02-14-2016, 05:15 AM	#10
lenticular Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 199	Originally posted by richmondthefish ^^^Nice focused shots. Out of focus eyes are way too common when I view 67 scans at large sizes Yes, I've just experienced this recently ( as a P6x7 newbie):

Vertical portraits on Pentax 67, missing critical focus on eyes...any advice?

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