Boris, Yes, I find that all macro lenses and macro filters decrease DOF. The higher the magnification, the shallower the DOF. (As Bob mentioned, - bellows is a solution, but I have never tried that myself.) I usually try to close down the aperture to enhance DOF. For many shots I am using F-DA 100/2.8 Macro, and sometimes even in a combination with a Pentax TC - following the idea mentioned by somebody most likely on PDML.
Here are the links to the raspberry "flowers" shots. Sorry, that what happens when one is trying to multitask and the message is written over a course of several hours/days. :-) http://www.komkon.org/~igor/PHOTOS/Raspberries/IMGP9428.jpg http://www.komkon.org/~igor/PHOTOS/Raspberries/IMGP9503.jpg http://www.komkon.org/~igor/PHOTOS/Raspberries/IMGP9527.jpg They all are done in a controlled environment, but DOF problem is the same. In your case, - it is just more complicated. (Upon a quick look, I didn't find any of the ones I took in the "wild" handy, - I didn't quite like them, hence I didn't bother to post them anywhere.) By the way, for some macro shots, I found Pedco UltraPod II to be quite useful: http://www.rei.com/product/777250 http://www.pedcopods.com/specsup2.htm It is inexpensive, light, and compact. It is not perfect, but helps: It is sturdy enough for *istDS, and I would expect it to provide reasonable stability even with a havier camera, e.g. K20D. Igor On Sun, Jun 7, 2009 at 11:42 AM, Boris Liberman<boris71 at gmail.com> wrote: > Igor, it is known fact that when focusing FA 100/3.5 and its siblings, the > whole lens assembly is in motion. That is, all glass pieces move together. > This is very interesting, though it seems that toward macro range the lens > is changing its focal length. I am saying so because I observe that when I > focus the field of view changes as well. FA 100/3.5 is surely a fascinating > optic, although simple. > > In #1 I must admit that I was starting to feel every so slightly dizzy due > to the very subtle wind. Also I am generally not all that steady as some > other photographers ;-). But I should practice more both to improve my > skills and to enhance my mind's stability ;-). > > It seems to me that you wanted to send some links to the number of flower > pictures, but you did not. > > The reflection shot you posted is rather different than those of mine. Yours > seems to be in controlled environment ;-). > > Thanks! > > Boris > > > > Igor Roshchin wrote: >> >> Boris, >> >> Of the three shots, I like the first the most. >> >> I've been experimenting with shooting various berries and fruits >> in the past few years, and I've been getting some similar shots, and >> what I concluded for myself that in most cases (especially in shots >> similar to your #1 and #2 by composition), I like seeing more DOF. >> >> In #1 I would've tried to make sure that [almost] all stamens (anthers >> in particular) are in focus. >> By association, I recalled a few shots of mine related to raspberries >> which illustrate what I mean. >> It is also a raspberry "flower": >> IMGP9428.jpg >> IMGP9503.jpg >> IMGP9527.jpg In these three, I also would like to see large DOF, >> especially in the >> last two. >> -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
