How to increase DOF for product photography

[darthdeus]

I'm starting to try out some product photography, but I constantly run into the same problem, very shallow DOF.

I tried shooting with my 55-250mm IS f/4-5.6 lens, but to have a nice close-up, I have to go up to 250mm, because minimal focusing distance is 3.6 feet, and I found out that I get sharpest results at f/11 with 250mm, however, DOF is still very shallow.

Here is example of my shot at f/11 with pretty shallow DOF.



I also tried a +4 close-up lens, so I could shoot at 55mm, but since I have to move a lot closer, it's even smaller DOF than at 250mm. Same goes for macro extension rings.

I also have a 50mm f/1.8, which has minimal focusing distance 1.5 feet, but at 50mm it's still pretty far out. I also tried here +1, +2, +4 and +10 close-up lenses, but also with very low DOF, same for macro extension rings.

Even if I bump to like f22 or higher, it doesn't change much and the image is even softer.

I understand that when shooting macro, there will be inherently low DOF, but how do people get those whole product in tack sharp focus look? Would buying a good macro lens like 100mm f/2.8 USM help?

[Murtasma]

Buying a macro lens you will still have the same problems. For best results you will want to use a focus stacking program and keep your aperture at it's sharpest setting. You will want to setup you camera so its its able to focus on the closest part of the object then take an image, move the focus back slightly and take another picture, repeat this process until you have the entire object captured. You then load the images into the focus stacking program and it will create a composite with sharpness from front to back.

[darthdeus]

That sounds like a HDR for focus Very interesting, thanks

[mseigafuse]

In case you don't have focus stacking software already ... - combinez : CombineZ

I've used this and it works very well. I cant compare to others as it is the only one I've used (I like free for some reason )

[inkista]

Yup. It's focus stacking. Or get a tilt-shift lens.


Canon XT. 80mm Super-Rotator. no tilt. iso 100, f/8, 1/80s. Tripod.


Canon XT. 80mm Super-Rotator. 4° tilt down. iso 100, f/8, 1/80s. Tripod.

[mipo]

And I have read in a few threads.
Tht using a focus rail helps a lot in staking pictures.

Did not tried it myslf yet, but a focus rail is on my shopping list.

[jdepould]

+1 on the tilt-shift.

[daft_biker]

Originally Posted by jdepould

+1 on the tilt-shift.

+1 on that...








Taken with a Canon TS-E 90mm.