Can I increase depth of field w/digital

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Last night took some images w/my new Nikon coolpix 4600 $199 special digital camera. I noticed that the depth of field is not that good. If you look in the foreground, you will see it is blurry.

I know how to sharpen the foreground by first focusing on it, depressing shutter halfway, then composing the rest of the shot, since it is center-metered.

However, then a different portion of the photo would be out of focus.

Is there a way to:

  1. increase the aperature
  2. would increased lighting increase depth of field or is it set

Thanks

2

Dave - I use a Coolpix 990 and I can set the aperature to whatever I want and the shutter speed auto adjusts for the correct exposure. Conversely, I can set the shutter speed for up to 1/1000 and the aperature opens/closes accordingly.

Obviously, the greater depth of field comes with the smallest ap opening but at the cost of slow shutter speeds…which is why a tripod is absolutely necessary.

Anyway, your camera manual should tell you if you can manually set the ap. If you can’t, then throw more light at the subject and see what happens…

3

The Nikon 4600 is a great little point and shoot camera but not really suitable for what you’re trying to do. It has a limited range of f-stops and no manual controls.

However , there are some things that you can do to increase your depth of field:

Use a tripod. Try increasing the light level and see if that gives you a smaller aperature (F-stop). The bigger the F-stop number, the smaller the aperature. In your case probably F8 or F11. The camera should show you what combination of F-stop and shutter speed it used.

Use the wide angle end of the lens. A wide angle has more depth of field than a zoomed-in or telephoto shot.

Place your focus about 1/3 of the way into the scene rather than in the immediate foreground. Depth of field extends 1/3 in front of the area of focus and 2/3 behind.

Dennis Brennan

4

Thanks guys, I’ll take up some of your recommendations when I get home.

Here’s one way to avoid the foreground blur, use the foreground to frame the rest of the shot.

Will let you know later how it goes.

Much thanks.

5

If your aperture isn’t manually adjustable then more light/longer exposure will help. You may want to try a tripod. If you don’t have one you can get a basic one at a discount or electronics store for about $20-$25.

Easter Easter Easter Easter Easter!!!

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

6

I took a neat panorama picture but no longer can post because Village Photos says my account is full. I’ll need to email the photo home and post on shutterfly

can’t believe it but only have about 30 pictures on village photo!!!

Tom,

I cannot afford the MTH sight cause spent all my $$$ on the new digital camera

7

FJ and G I think you should be able to start a page on Yahoo or one of the other freebie sites and link to that.

underworld

Easter Easter Easter Easter Easter!!!

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

8

Dave - The MTH site is less money than buying space on Villagephoto.