Micro Four Thirds Depth Of Field Example.
M43 cops a lot of flack for limiting shallow depth of field benefits.
45mm f1.8 wide open. There is a hint of depth “snap”, but it is not the hero of the shot.
I use the word “benefit” specifically, because less is often seen as more in this space, but how much is too little.
The above image is a 90mm full frame equivalent (M43 45mm) with the lens used at its widest aperture of f1.8.
To my eye, it is about perfect at cutting out the foreground subject, but also showing contextual elements.
Taken a few seconds later with the same settings, the second girl is in focus and the nearer one slightly out. The focus plane is not exaggerated so the image remains harmonious, it is clear only if enlarged or inspected closely, but it is there.
Creatively, the option of even shallower depth is enticing and I have to admit, I have been drawn to it when playing with my new full frame cameras, but often in a commercial sense it is useless and too easily fallen back on to hide poor background choices or to simply take a cheap road to that “pro” look.
Interestingly, even though I have not used full frame for almost a decade, I instinctively go to f2.8 for safety. This is close to f1.7 in M43.