Did you ever try focus stacking?

[DavefromCt]

It's fun to try. If you're not getting enough depth of field from your camera in certain circumstances, try putting it on a tripod and taking maybe around 10 shots of the subject but each time focusing on a different area of it. Then combine or "stack" the shots in a program such as photoshop and all the shots combine to form one focused shot. This works best with non-moving subjects. Here is a before and after of some coins I dug. Please click on image to enlarge.

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

I have heard of focus stacking before, but never really paid attention to the subject. Just curious, but why not just go to a smaller aperture to increase your depth of field? If you are using a tripod, you can manage the slower shutter speed. I must admit that this is an interesting subject, thanks for sharing! Kelley (Texas)

 

[DavefromCt]

Yes you're right....I've wondered that too, when I've read articles about it. Since you're already on a tripod why not close the aperture way down in the first place? But as I'm saying this I'm also guessing at some answers too, like there is an effect where once you stop down beyond F11 or so, the image can suffer from some sort of interference patterns. I've even tested this out with some of my lenses, where you can see the image degrading if it's stopped down too much....there's some sort of scientific explanation if you Google it. Also, you could do a shot way beyond the normal depth of field if you keep on focusing and taking shots then stacking. I'll have to try more shots with a crazy depth of field to see how it works.

 

[DavefromCt]

Here are three images I just took. It's quite surprising to some but there is a "sweet spot" in lenses as far as f stop anyway. I used to think the more you stop down a lens the sharper it is, which is usually true to a point. Once you go beyond a certain f stop it gets blurry again. Here are 3 shots on a tripod exactly focused the same and at iso 100. one is f1.8 which is pretty good, the next f8 which is sharper, but then on the third is softer at f22. It's interesting to try with your various lenses to see what f stop is the sharpest for future reference.

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

new today. Later this week the weather will be better and I will practice on what you taught me today. Kelley (Texas)

 

[Nancy-IL]

Yes, very interesting and you've got my intrigued. Thank you!

 

[DavefromCt]

I found this bus token (or trolley token?) when I was a little kid and held onto it. It's from Springfield Ma where I was born.

 

[Nancy-IL]

Now that's cool. That's really neat Dave.

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

for the background? Kelley (Texas)

 

[DavefromCt]

Thanks, I used a piece of black felt and didn't bother to disguise it this time.

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

n/t