Understanding Depth of Field: The search for a lense's "sweet

File: resizedforp2.jpg (557KB, 1332x1000px) Image search: [Google]

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Slightly larger aperture on this photo, I think.

[EXIF data available. Click here to show/hide.]

Camera-Specific Properties:
Equipment Make	Panasonic
Camera Model	DMC-LX100
Camera Software	paint.net 4.0.10
Maximum Lens Aperture	f/1.7
Sensing Method	One-Chip Color Area
Focal Length (35mm Equiv)	24 mm
Image-Specific Properties:
Horizontal Resolution	94 dpcm
Vertical Resolution	94 dpcm
Image Created	2016:09:10 16:29:50
Exposure Time	1/60 sec
F-Number	f/8.0
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO Speed Rating	1250
Lens Aperture	f/8.0
Exposure Bias	0 EV
Metering Mode	Pattern
Light Source	Unknown
Flash	No Flash, Compulsory
Focal Length	10.90 mm
Rendering	Normal
Exposure Mode	Manual
White Balance	Auto
Scene Capture Type	Standard
Gain Control	High Gain Up
Contrast	Normal
Saturation	Normal
Sharpness	Normal

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>what is a dof scale

>>2922072
Basically yes, a larger aperture has a narrower depth of field, but doesn't suffer from diffraction, while with a small aperture more becomes in focus, but set it too high and details begin to blur.

To be specific, given infinite resolution, even f/1.4 would cause diffraction at some point, but realistically your typical camera sensor is not diffraction-limited until around f/10 or so, although some cameras can show diffraction as early as f/5.6 as in the case of the 7D.

This is just talking about detail loss on the pixel-level, whether or not it will be visible in print is a whole different ball game, and is the basis of hyperfocal shooting, which is setting the aperture and point of focus in a way that makes everything seem optimally sharp within the visible constraints of a given medium.

>>2922078
The DoF scale on most lenses new and old is based on criteria that was standardized in the film days, and is not really suitable for digital. The terribly short focus throw of modern AF lenses makes it hard to use as well.

>>2922080
>DoF scale
>not really suitable for digital
It's 2016, I seriously hope your not shooting APS-C.

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OP here, bumping with a photo I took before I understood DoF.

Are the pictures of the rosemary plant in the original post a sound example of DoF, whatever other issues they might have?

Please correct me if im wrong
>The reason pic related sucks is you want a DoF that captures everything from the condensation to the olive, etc, assuming your subject is the entire bloody Mary.

Am I understanding this right?

[EXIF data available. Click here to show/hide.]

Camera-Specific Properties:
Equipment Make	Panasonic
Camera Model	DMC-LX100
Camera Software	Snapseed 2.0
Maximum Lens Aperture	f/1.7
Sensing Method	One-Chip Color Area
Focal Length (35mm Equiv)	24 mm
Image-Specific Properties:
Horizontal Resolution	240 dpi
Vertical Resolution	240 dpi
Image Created	2016:09:12 16:51:03
Exposure Time	1/50 sec
F-Number	f/1.7
Exposure Program	Normal Program
ISO Speed Rating	1600
Lens Aperture	f/1.7
Exposure Bias	0 EV
Metering Mode	Pattern
Light Source	Unknown
Flash	No Flash, Compulsory
Focal Length	10.90 mm
Color Space Information	sRGB
Image Width	1238
Image Height	1366
Rendering	Normal
Exposure Mode	Auto
White Balance	Auto
Scene Capture Type	Standard
Gain Control	High Gain Up
Contrast	Normal
Saturation	Normal
Sharpness	Normal

File: pattern obsession.jpg (470KB, 675x900px) Image search: [Google]

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At f1.7, you will have less in focus areas, and detail in your in-focus areas will be mild.
At f5.6, you will have expanded depth of field, and the central part of your in-focus area will be SUPER SHARP. Depending on your scene and light, this could extend over the whole image if you focus carefully. You don't flatten the cone, the whole cone gets bigger and higher. How much higher depends on the lens.

At f16 you're spreading the cone out even more but you introduce a ceiling which lowers eat time you stop down, clipping the top of the cone off and softening the whole image.

Which you want depends on your artistic vision for each shot. Whether that's a dreamy blurry picture of your hot new gf or a hypercritical sharpness across the frame for product images for your business' new website.