Having trouble with DOF for macro.

CaveDweller

CaveDweller

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,946
Name
Paul
Edit My Images
Yes
I have nothing in the range of macro gear and can't afford any yet, so a few weeks ago I got some HOYA magnification filters to play around with. I am having a bit of trouble with them though. When using them I find that the DOF is really small, even with the aperture set to f/22. I had another go at water drops and I couldn't get the whole drop in focus, just a part of it. The filters I have are 1x, 2x and 4x magnification. The lenses I have are just kit ones, an 18-55 and 55-250. I prefer using the longer lens as I can keep it further away from the splashing water.

If anyone has any tips I'd much appreciate it :thumbs:
 
Do you need macro for the drops ? I was trying these again last night and looking at the exif data this morning most of mine were shot around 200mm, allowing me to get the camera further back away from the drops and getting splashed and DOF was fine like this.
 
Focus stacking might be an answer for static macro shots but I've yet to see a water droplet splashing but freezing for the time it would take to do a stack...

At super close distances, DoF is extremely shallow, a mm is deep! Back off a bit as Simon suggested. Less chance of water splashing onto your lens and also more room for the light to get at the drops.
 
Perseverance and patience are the words...But the rewards are great! Thin DOF is something you'll have to live with, and adapt to. Sorry if it sounds a bit definitive, but I found no work around...
 
Good points, cheers. I completely forgot about stacking lol. I'm using Magic Lantern on my 550d and I can set it to do focus stacking. I think I need to ask for a better memory as well :thumbs:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top