DOF FX vs DX?

[BBraker]

All,

I have a question about depth-of-field. I've noticed that my new Nikon D800 has a much shallower DOF than my old DX D300. I knew this would be the case...however, I did NOT relaize that setting the apeture to get more DOF causes the D800 to produce severe diffraction due to the high resolution.

DOF is pretty important for aquarium shots, what with moving fish, etc. Does anyone know - if I shoot the D800 in DX crop mode, will I regain the lost DOF? I tried to test it, but the results were inconclusive to my untrained eye.

If not, does in-camera downsampling improve DOF?


Thanks,

Bill

 

[Misled]

So since no one else came up with anything, I'll chime in with my limited knowledge. It wouldn't seem to me that that camera could be what's causing your problem. All the camera does is capture the image. The lens would, at least in my opinion, would be the only thing that creates the diffraction. It may have always been there, but using a crop body may have been what kept it from being captured by the image. I would think using the crop mode would solve it somewhat, but you don't show the pics or say if it shows up all over the pic, or around the outside. Post some pics or break it down a little more please.

 

[BBraker]

Jesse,

FX sensor cameras are known to have generally shallower DOF than DX cameras, which in turn have less DOF than the little point-and-shoots. I don't know why this is, but I was suprised at how much of a difference it makes. Some pople like the FX cameras for just that reason (for portraits and such) but I want to get a moving fish, all in focus at the same time, and it just isn't working for me. I was thinking, if an FX camera in DX crop mode has the same DOF as a DX camera, I could just go that route when I needed to....but limited testing on my part didn't demonstrate for certain if that is the case, thus my question.


Bill

 

[Misled]

Jesse,

FX sensor cameras are known to have generally shallower DOF than DX cameras

This part I'll agree with, to a certain extent, but there's a reason for it. A dx body has a 1.5 crop factor. Say we're using a 105 macro. On a DX body this comes to about a 155mm macro. The focusing distance doesn't change though, because we're just using a smaller sensor. Hence the reason it seems to have a larger DOF. Put the same lens on a FX body and at the same distance, and the DOF will be the same, but to get the same shot you'll need to be 55mm closer, hence a shallower DOF.

That's why I ask, which lens.

 

[Coddigtion]

Mislead hit the nail on the head, crop factor makes a big difference on DOF, not as much as F stop but it does make a difference.