"Brian" <bclark@es.co.nz> wrote in message news:0sgujvkftvq5dl8s8ut4tb8ntfhcopht08@4ax.com...

> I notice that a lot of landscape photographers use a small aperature

> and slow shutter speed to get a wide focus range.

>

> When trying to get a wide focus range should I set the focus to the

> closest object or the most distant object (ie infinity)?

Neither.

The other answers in this thread do not look at the whole issue of DOF,

though. A good "rule of thumb" is to follow the DOF tables (for aperture

and distance settings), but "fudge" the focus more toward infinity, and

stop down at least one more stop than the DOF tables then suggest

(with the new focus distance). DOF tables are often based on not very

critical "circle of confusion" sizes, and do not recognize that more distant

detail must be rendered more sharpely than nearer due to scale differences

for the sharpness to look good throughout the DOF range - otherwise,

infinity material looks soft. Beware the ill effects of diffraction, though, at

very small stops...

--

David Ruether

d_ruether@hotmail.com

http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com