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Since Max4 we've been able to preview DOF, and I think Maxwell should include this, since I have an Instamatic photo background and no idea about f-stop, etc -render, re-render is what I'm stuck with now. I'm up for learning the photo approach, but I don't see why viewport DOF isn't implemented since it's old technology anyway.

i don't understand this wish. you don't need to bother with dof, it automatically match your f-stop and shutter settings. see the ftsop and shutter as a way to control exposure. a small number means a high aperture and a big number .. a tiny aperture. for example an fstop of 2 means the diaphragm open at 1/2 of the lens surface, 8 means 1/8 etc.. the default settings gives good exterior shots, though lack a bit of contrast imho.
and finally shutter speed is how long the diaphragm stay opened. needless to say that the longer it will stay open, the brighter the pic will be.

you can add that a big aperture with a small shutter speed will gives you less depth of field, then more blur. total oposite for small aperture et long shutter speed.

WHat he's getting at is unless you have a 35mm camera handy or know what DoF is in relation to lens size/ type / aperture it's all guesswork. As you know Maxwell takes a long time to render stuff and if your guess is wrong you have to guess again and render again.

Max's DoF preview is a very clever and very quick way to see what your DoF acually looks like in the viewport before rendering anything and it takes all the guesswork out of it. I'd be very happy to see something like this implemented. Saying small numbers = big DoF and big numbers mean small DoF doesn't actually mean anything without a reference point to work from. I'd wager that not too many here can dial in a lens size, aperture size and know just what level of DoF they're actually going to get to any great degree of acuracy. Even real cameras have a depth-stop button to preview DoF before taking the shot.

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i've read that oscar and friends are working on this subject and it has not expected precision right now. i believe it's very easy math for them and the next version will be ok. however the above requests about previewing dof can also be implemented easily. they must take care of this wish because it'll make us save time. just be patient people

Yes, it's like Smeggy says -just to speed setup, even for those that know camera stuff. I'm totally pro learning aperture, speed, blade angle (OK, maybe not blade angle -sheesh), but it would still be helpful, and since it's totally doable, why not?