DOF tuning

[Shadowramy]

Okay, just got a camera a couple months ago so I am still learning. I have a Nikon D60.

My issue is still DOF. I shoot in f10 mostly using a tri-pod, I just cant get f22. Not sure what I am looking for as far as shutter speed. If I do a blind shot using a top down box I seem to get better results, its the macro shots close up that I am getting the 'jitters' on.

Here are some shots

Here are some Top Down Shots

 

[bmwardo]

What lens are you using? f/22 will be giving you such high lens distortions, you are probably better off staying below f/13 or so depending on your lens.

 

[jthao]

I use f8 for coral shots with my macro. I sometimes shoot full open. but have never shot at f22. what are you trying to accomplish with f22? more coverage of the coral colony??

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

I have no problem at all going to f/22 or even f/32...but then again I have really nice lenses!

 

[Shadowramy]

I have a Tamron 90mm 1:2.8 macro lens.

 

[bmwardo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14484129#post14484129 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
I have no problem at all going to f/22 or even f/32...but then again I have really nice lenses!

I would love to see 100% crops near the center of the lens stepping up through your f stops of the same image all the way up to f32 in order to show that you have no problem at all with diffraction in your really nice lenses.

 

[Reef Bass]

While I haven't conducted the test bmwardo suggests, I can relate my personal experience with my Canon macro lens which takes terrific pictures at f20. It can stop down to f32 though I've only shot a few pics at that aperature just to check it out.

 

[bmwardo]

Shadowramy, I have really learned a lot about the limitations of my lenses through sites like:

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/diffraction-photography.htm

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/Digital Focusing.shtml

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/digital focusing 2.shtml

and http://www.photozone.de/

So, going through the photozone test of your lens, you can see how your resolution starts to drop after f/8. Here is the scale that they use:

Here are the results:

For an explanation of their tests, and an explanation of "MTF" scroll about 2/3 of the way down:
http://www.imatest.com/docs/sharpness.html#interpretation

Similar to the Canon macro, at f/16 you are able to get very good results. Maybe I am too picky, because I am interested in how my image looks at 100% or my largest print size, but if you are only interested in displaying the images in a fraction of their original size or printing relatively small images then indeed you can squeeze out aperatures > f/16.

I like focus stacking, which is something you may want to look into for your tripod mounted shots.

Also, do you use a timer or remote shutter release?

 

[Shadowramy]

Wow bmwardo! thanks for the info!

I have not used the timer function yet.

I wanted to try the stacked feature but I wasnt sure if I move through the ISO modes or the f stops.

 

[Reef Bass]

Interesting articles at those links bmwardo, thanks.

 

[bmwardo]

They have really helped lead me in the right direction, I can't claim to be an expert at it, but they have been a great starting point for learning my "sweet spots" on each of my lenses.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Okay so there may be a noticeable variation with a 100% crop. The image is still very usable though. To say "never use f/16 or above" is ridiculous.

 

[bmwardo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14493180#post14493180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
Okay so there may be a noticeable variation with a 100% crop. The image is still very usable though. To say "never use f/16 or above" is ridiculous.

No need to make up quotes, I never said to "never use f/16 or above," THAT is ridiculous! I actually said the EXACT opposite.

 

[klepto]

Re: DOF tuning

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14481798#post14481798 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shadowramy

My issue is still DOF. I shoot in f10 mostly using a tri-pod, I just cant get f22. Not sure what I am looking for as far as shutter speed. If I do a blind shot using a top down box I seem to get better results, its the macro shots close up that I am getting the 'jitters' on.
/DOUG/DSC_0318.jpg[/IMG]

If you are noticing a major difference between the top downs and the regular images-- then I believe that your glass/acrylic may be causing the issue. if it was the aperture, then the top downs would have the same issues.. and it doesn't look like they do to me at least.

you dont have a bowfront do you?

make sure you are aligning the plane of your lens to the plane of the glass you are shooting through..

a few of your images look overexposed to my eye/screen- mabey try reducing your shutter speed or f- stop (experiment and find out what DOF you like-- dont rule out stopping down or shooting wide open-- because both can be highly effective when used properly)

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14482643#post14482643 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bmwardo
What lens are you using? f/22 will be giving you such high lens distortions, you are probably better off staying below f/13 or so depending on your lens.

I'm sorry. Saying not to go above f/13 is ridiculous. I guess I left f/14 out of my previous statement. Sorry f/14...I love and respect you no hard feelings, even though f/16 and f/22 do get more attention we're still G's.

Look in all seriousness I am sorry for misquoting you and I respect your opinion but...how were you saying the exact opposite? From my angle you were saying the exact same thing...but even more so.

 

[klepto]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14493133#post14493133 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bmwardo
They have really helped lead me in the right direction, I can't claim to be an expert at it, but they have been a great starting point for learning my "sweet spots" on each of my lenses.

thanks for the good info.

 

[bmwardo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14493464#post14493464 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer

Look in all seriousness I am sorry for misquoting you and I respect your opinion but...how were you saying the exact opposite? From my angle you were saying the exact same thing...but even more so.

Maybe you didn't read my later post:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14493464#post14493464 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bmwardo

Maybe I am too picky, because I am interested in how my image looks at 100% or my largest print size, but if you are only interested in displaying the images in a fraction of their original size or printing relatively small images then indeed you can squeeze out aperatures > f/16.

 

[Reef Bass]

Shadorwramy, klepto's comments about top down v. through glass shots, aligning the plane of the lens and the plane of the subject and slight overexposure seem right on to me.

My images tend to be bright, but I'd like to think not overexposed.

Your images are lacking EXIF info, which is not a crime but having that info allows others to examine your settings and possibly to make useful suggestions.