Depth of Field Tool
Consider using this tool to calculate and set your depth of field for your camera and lens:
Tips for focusing the front end and the back end of the subject in the same time.
We have a very good video with tips for setting the focal point/depth when shooting with a macro lens:
Here are the pictures which are obtained when shooting the video:
The focal depth (depth of field) is based on:
1. Distance from camera to object - the further away the more depth users are able to capture
2. Aperture (higher the number ex, 14 is longer than lower number ex. 10).
Aperture is a double edge sword as the higher the aperture number, the less clarity in photo. So we don't really suggest going above 13, preferably stay at 10. This means you must move the camera further back to achieve a longer depth of field. This in turn results in cropping the image smaller, which means less resolution being captured. This is fine (assuming you have a high megapixel camera) when shooting macro. If you're unable to get enough depth of field and image resolution, consider the Shutter Stream Focus Stacking plugin.
Step-by-step guide
For Macro focal point adjustment, toggle the AF button in the camera settings to MF (mouse click once on AF button to toggle to MF). Then hover your mouse cursor over the MF button to display the focal point adjustment window. In this window, you'll want to use the + button to zoom Live View window (and use arrows to adjust the 1:1 zoomed live view window location).
When viewing 1:1 (zoomed live view) on the product, you adjust and set the lens focal point using one of two methods.
- Manually adjust the focal ring on the camera (twisting left/right). We prefer this method. In this case set physical switch on lens to MF mode.
- Adjust the Focal Point using the MF adjustment using the software. Ensure the physical switch on lens is set to AF. Hover your mouse cursor over the MF button to display the focal point adjustment window and click single left or right arrows (near and far) to adjust focal point.
An alternative suggestion is taking advantage of the cameras Auto Focus. To Auto Focus, toggle the MF button to AF. This sends a command to auto focus. The product should be in the center of the Live View window when doing this. You may need to adjust the AF mode to Single Point selection.
Manually Selecting an AF Point - YouTube
If you set the Aperture value too high (ex. f18), the less clarity your image will have. Increase the distance between camera and product instead.
For more info about this, please go to: http://www.photopills.com/calculators/dof
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