Hi everyone! For close-up photos, I currently use my Nikon D90 with a Tamron SP 60mm F/2 macro lens. I have gotten some pretty cool shots with it, but sometimes the depth of field is just way too much, causing almost a rainbow clear focused section with a blurred-out top and bottom. The focused part is almost in the shape of a rainbow, which makes it difficult to work with. If I take the photo a bit further away than I want, it's not so bad, but I'm not sure what's going on, but I'd love some help. Any thoughts??
Here are a couple I've taken that I'm happy with...but they weren't as close as I'd have liked:
These two are bad closeups...you can see the arched focused section. How do I get more of the picture in focus?? I just don't understand this. With my cheap old camera, I almost got better macros...
Sorry for the long post. I'm just anxious to figure this thing out.
~Kim
The short answer is, stop down. If you're shooting wide open (f/2), try f/8. Lenses are typically sharpest at the middle aperture, so if your lens goes 2.8 - 22, for example, the sweet spot is typically around f/8. The more you stop down, though, the more you'll get in focus.
Lovely shots, by the way, I particularly like the first one.
If you're shooting at f2 and really close then you'll have a narrow line in focus. So, if you're focusing on a center point then only what is in that bandwidth will be in focus. If you want the front of the picture in focus and fading out of focus - put your focus point on that area and lock it - then recompose. This will stop the front blurring.
To get more of the picture in focus you need to do what Robert suggested. Instead of making your aperture 2 - try it at 3 or 4 or 5. Stepping back has the same effect but then as you say you're not close enough.
I think stepping down to about 4 and managing your focus point will give you the result you want. I still play around till I get exactly what I wanted. Good luck.
Yep as Robert and Sue have mentioned it sounds like you need to try a smaller aperture.
For me personally the vast majority of my macros are shot at f22. Every so often though I'll open it up if I have very specific shot in mind. Even it f22 the DoF is pretty narrow but I am using extension tubes which I think limits the DoF further. Also remember that a smaller aperture will let in a lot less light so you'll need a good source of light!
I also use a 60mm and I agree, set your aperture to at least f/10 or higher. With such a low aperture you are only getting a very narrow focus. I almost always use my tripod with my macro lens just because it is very hard to get a clear shot with a higher aperture. Nice pics btw!
@bobtimmons@sueb@dcr@chevymom@wahyusp Thank you all so much for your help. A lot of what you said is over my head, but I will certainly do my homework and look into it. I'm hoping that I will be able to figure it out. I do know how to change the aperture, so I'll start there. Again, thank you!!!!
One last thing, I'm not sure what mode you shoot in, but your EXIF data says you're using a Nikon D90, so change the mode to A for Aperture Priority (for Canon users, I believe they use the designation TV for Aperture Priority) and use the front dial to change the aperture. It should go as low as 2 for that lens, and up to 16 or 22 or something. Shoot the same object from the same position using different apertures and you'll see the difference.
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Lovely shots, by the way, I particularly like the first one.
Hope this helps!
To get more of the picture in focus you need to do what Robert suggested. Instead of making your aperture 2 - try it at 3 or 4 or 5. Stepping back has the same effect but then as you say you're not close enough.
I think stepping down to about 4 and managing your focus point will give you the result you want. I still play around till I get exactly what I wanted. Good luck.
For me personally the vast majority of my macros are shot at f22. Every so often though I'll open it up if I have very specific shot in mind. Even it f22 the DoF is pretty narrow but I am using extension tubes which I think limits the DoF further. Also remember that a smaller aperture will let in a lot less light so you'll need a good source of light!
Good luck!!!!