Macro DoF

[Sorarse]

I am aware that the amount of DoF that macro shooters have to play with is really small, but it set me to thinking.

I know that DoF in normal photography can be influenced by choice of aperture, and that it will also vary with the focal length of the lens being used, which is where I started wondering.

What options do macro shooters have to increase DoF? I believe that using a small aperture still holds true, and I guess that the level of magnification will also have some effect, but can our choice of lens also make a difference?

Will a true macro lens give more DoF at the same level of magnification as a 'normal' lens used with extension tubes?

The reason I ask is that some shots on here seem to have great depth of detail. I do know about focus stacking, and also know that this can't always be used due to the speed at which some of our subjects move, which precludes taking enough shots to use focus stacking.

[LordV]

Hi,
The DOF in macro is pretty much just dependant on the aperture and the magnification and not on the lens system. So focal length does not really affect it nor does the lens type. You will get differences though in the OOF detail where a shorter focal length lens gives more recognisable background as opposed to long focal length macro lenses which are reknown for their creamy bokeh.

Brian V.

[Sorarse]

Thanks for that Brian.