DOF

[gonças]

Hi

Hi have a problem which migth be easy to solve, i dunno.

I take lots of photos of diecast 1:18 models but all of my photos lack Depth of field. This was cool at first but now it is stating to anoy me a bit.

here's a couple of photos i took today just to show u what I meen:

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/3046/88001932ds2.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2106/52497351qe2.jpg

As u can see that back of the car is all blurry. I can make it more focused but for that i would have to use a tripod :(

can u help? Thanks in advance

[dmt123]

What is your aperture at ?

[Phil V]

Hi

Hi have a problem which migth be easy to solve, i dunno.



As u can see that back of the car is all blurry. I can make it more focused but for that i would have to use a tripod :(
You have the answer yourself, for macro work you require really small apertures, which are generally linked with slower shutter speeds, so a tripod is often required. But as these are still life subjects a tripod isn't really a great disadvantage.
You could try higher ISO's, but the tripod is probably the best all round solution (and MLU).

[adblink]

holy crap, according to the exif that lost shot was taken at F18?

# Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/1 second = 1.00000 second
# Lens F-Number/F-Stop = 18/1 = F18.00
# Exposure Program = manual control (1)
# ISO Speed Ratings = 100

[Glenn NK]

Both images were shot at f/18 and FL = 45 mm.

Stopping down isn't going to work. Period.

Your answer is a tripod (or something to keep the camera in one position), use a longer focal length and use FOCUS STACKING.

[Glenn NK]

holy crap, according to the exif that lost shot was taken at F18?

Yes, nobody seemed to check.:lol: So much for smaller apertures as a solution.;)

[hard12find]

Factors that affect DOF, are #1 aperture setting, #2 distance from camera to subject.
I agree a tripod is a must for this type shooting, but you might try backing off a bit and shoot at the 55MM setting on your lens. I am assuming the 18-55 is all you have for a lens.

[JeffreyG]

As u can see that back of the car is all blurry. I can make it more focused but for that i would have to use a tripod

As was noted....you are already stopped down and not getting enough DOF. There is only 1 solution that I can think of. You need a Tilt lens. You can get one (I'd look at the 45mm or the 90mm) for about $1000.

So - Canon TS-E 90mm is probably the answer. Are you $1000 serious about shooting models?

[Glenn NK]

Factors that affect DOF, are #1 aperture setting, #2 distance from camera to subject.
I agree a tripod is a must for this type shooting, but you might try backing off a bit and shoot at the 55MM setting on your lens. I am assuming the 18-55 is all you have for a lens.

And focal length which has the most effect. Longer = less DOF.

[gonças]

Thanks for the help. I have a very good tripod but i just dont like to use it very much because it isnt very versatile :\

[macropod]

Hi Goncas,

About the only thing that's going to give you a significant increase in DoF (without focus stacking) is to use a camera with a (much) smaller sensor.

For example, with your 400D and a 45mm lens, the DoF at f18 for a subject 250mm from the front of the lens will be about 25mm. A camera with a 1/6in sensor using a 4.46mm focal length (to give the same field of view) from the same distance would give the same DoF at about f2. If you increase this to f4, DoF goes up to about 60mm. Just watch out for diffraction softening - you're already pushing the limits at f18 on the 400D and would be doing so even at f2 with the small sensor.

Cheers

[René Damkot]

but you might try backing off a bit and shoot at the 55MM setting on your lens.

As long as the subject is about the same size in the image, DoF will (roughly) be the same.

One option is too use a wideer (setting on the) lens *without changing shooting position*. The car will be photographed smaller, but DoF will be more.

Thanks for the help. I have a very good tripod but i just dont like to use it very much because it isnt very versatile :\

A P&S might be your best bet then: Like Macropod said; Smaller sensor, so more DoF.

[simwells]

Tripod and learn focus stacking, it's a useful thing to know how to do anyway.