Depth of View in Macro Mode (CP4500) (1 Viewer)

Andrew

wibble wibble

• Jul 21, 2005

• #1

Any tips on enhancing depth of view in Macro mode when photographing moths.

I seem to struggle to get the whole moth from top to tail in clear crisp focus despite having the camera on a post (with a column clamp) and set on a timer.

I also keep the macro flower symbol in it's optimal yellow setting.

 

postcardcv

Super Moderator

Staff member

Supporter

• Jul 21, 2005

• #2

I always found this to be a problem with the 4500, although it will do stunningly close marco the depth of field is tiny. I must confess that I never found a way to get over this problem. One of my favourite macro shots with the 4500 was enhanced by the small DOP - great for arty photos, but terrible for acurate insect shots.
http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showphoto.php/photo/35690/sort/1/cat/500/page/5

 

IanF

Moderator

• Jul 21, 2005

• #3

Macro photography just like extreme telephoto range does mean a very narrow depth of field.

Bright conditions are about the only solution so as to gain the narrowest aperture and so greater depth of field. It's a issue with all macro photography not just the CP4500.

The CP4500 I find is one of the better digital cameras for macro use due to it's close focus distance - just as it's about the best one still for digiscoping!

 

Andrew

wibble wibble

• Jul 21, 2005

• #4

I have since learnt that the macro facility in Auto Mode may be a solution, seems to be a lot better for focussing than the actual Macro mode itself. You do have to hold it a bit further away and zoom in though.

 

I

iporali

Well-known member

• Jul 21, 2005

• #5

Andrew said:

Any tips on enhancing depth of view in Macro mode when photographing moths.

Click to expand...

Andrew,

You could also try some of these:
1. Use aperture priority to lock the aperture to the minimum
2. Increase ISO sensitivity (+use NeatImage or Noise Ninja software)
3. If the target does not move at all, take a "panorama" series of images with different focusing points and assemble the final image.

Not necessarily very helpful...

Ilkka

 

Andrew

wibble wibble

• Jul 21, 2005

• #6

Thanks Ilkka, I shall try to figure out the aperture lock thingy on a test object.

 

A

Angus T

Well-known member

• Jul 23, 2005

• #7

You need to use the camera in aperature priority mode.
To change this, while pressing 'mode', rotate the round button on top till you get an 'A' in bottom left corner of screen.

Then while you are taking photos, rotate the round button to increase the 'F' number. It should go up to about 10.0. This increases your depth of field. It decreases your shutter speed, but that's not an issue when clamped and on timer.

HTH

 

Andrew

wibble wibble

• Jul 23, 2005

• #8

Thanks for that Angus, been practising on a pen nib and it seems to work well. Will test it on the moths from last night. :t: