My first prime

[John_SD]

I just ordered my first prime lens from B&H. The Canon EF-S (I know, I know) 24mm f/2.8 STM. 

I did this for a couple of reasons. First, was the fact that I've been getting a little more into street photography, and while I had been using my 18-55mm kit lens, I was finding it bulky at not so well suited for my needs. The 24mm prime, with an effective focal length of 38mm, would be ideal for me. I prefer it over a 50mm for street work. And I can use it in the field, in deserts and so forth. Then there was the cost of the lens itself. At $129 brand new, it seemed quite inexpensive. No, it is not for a mirrorless rig, but it didn't cost $2000 either. So until such time as I make the inevitable move into mirrorless, I think I got a good deal on a lens that I will be using plenty. Have any of you used the 24? What are your thoughts? 

[kvbarkley]

Not exactly, You use a depth of field calculator, find the dof limits for a particluar f number and set the focus for a point about 1/3 past the fist one.

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/technical/doftable.html

[John_SD]

Thanks guys, I've been reading up on using hyperfocal distance and have downloaded a calculator to my phone. Seems like a simple enough concept, if I can accuarately judge the distance LOL. I'll try it out this weekend.

[kvbarkley]

That is one of the reasons that distance scales have survived.

[Waddizzle]

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@kvbarkley wrote:

That is one of the reasons that distance scales have survived.

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Exactly.  Finding the hyperfocal distance focusing point is easier with a distance scale.

[Waddizzle]

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@kvbarkley wrote:

Not exactly, You use a depth of field calculator, find the dof limits for a particluar f number and set the focus for a point about 1/3 past the fist one.

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/technical/doftable.html

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Not exactly is what I said.  But, it does work out to be nearly the same spot as infinity focus.

https://www.dofmaster.com/doftable.html. 

I browse that table every so often when I want to choose lenses to carry, and aperture settings to use.

[Waddizzle]

Yes, the hyperfocal distance is not quite infinity focus but close to it. I do not focus on a distant object. I focus on something beyond the hyperfocal distance, which is effectively infinity focus.

This is really easy to do with manual focusing 14mm lens. After a little experimenting on a tripod, I found the sweet spot fairly easily. As it turned out, the scale on the focus ring was spot on.