increase depth of field with close-up filters?

[Blazer88]

I have a Kodak DX7590 and bought some 55mm close-up filters. How can I get a better depth of field with my shots? I normally just put the camera on "auto" and adjust the exposure to get faster or slower shutter speeds. Here are a few shots that I took this morning. Only the very center of the picture is in focus. Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[newmanl]

Hi Blazer88,

Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with the camera you're using, but hopefully the following can still be of some use.

Depth of Field (DOF) is controlled by three things: focal length of the lens, distance to the subject and aperature (f-stop). To get more DOF, you either have to use a shorter lens, increase the camera (actually the sensor or film plane) to subject distance or shoot with a smaller aperature (larger number). Usually, the easiest way is to stop down the aperature - for instance, going to from f4 to f16 or so will give more DOF. However, in order to stop down the aperature and not get subject blur due to camera or subject motion (because of a resulting drop in shutter speed), you need more light on the subject. If that is not possible you likely have to use a higher ISO.

If your lens configuration (with the close-up filters) provides the magnification you want, then it becomes a question of more light or higher ISO... maybe both!

Hope that helps.

Lee

 

[Blazer88]

Thanks for the recommendations! I think these pictures were taken with a low f-number and the ISO was set to 80. The Yasha was taken under MH so light was not a problem, the ricordia was taken with just the actinics on in my nano. I'll try increasing the f-stop and a higher ISO to see what my results are. Thanks again.

-Rick

 

[wetWolger]

rember that a higher iso = higher noise levels too....may not be an issue if your shrinking the photos a lot...but something to keep in mind

IME with my 10-d (DSLR) i try not to go above 400 for anything. But again that is a DSLR. With my sony f717 200 is the highest i ever go and i try to do anything possible to stay at 100.

You may consider getting a tripod so you can keep your low iso, raise your fstop, and then just lengthen your exposure time to keep the photo from being under exposed.

 

[Blazer88]

I don't know if I increased the DOF much, but I sure was able to zoom in much more and still keep the Ricordia in focus. The other shot of the mouth was cropped from a much larger photo, this mouth almost took up the whole frame. I had the f-stop at 8 and the Iso was either 200 or 400 (can't remember). I just adjusted the shutter speed to get enough light on the shot.

 

[Frisco]

For larger DOF I'd suggest using a tripod, leaving the ISO low to avoid pixel noise, and adjusting the aperture up as high as you can go. If the pics come out soft, try backing off the aperture a bit.