Nikon D40 Users - How to get it ALL in focus

[btkrausen]

I'm using a Sigma 150mm Macro lens with auto focus, but I can't seem to get more than just the focal point in focus. I generally use Auto on my camera, but is there a way to get more of the shot in focus?

Here is an example...see how a lot of it is in focus, but not all of it. Anything I can do to change that:

 

[swannyson7]

If you raise your F-stop, you'll be able to get more of the image in focus. You'll need to use a tripod and make sure all pumps are off though, because if really slows down your shutter speed.

 

[aalvarado87]

plus one on the f stop. remember depth of field is key in the f stop. the higher the f stop the more you get in focus this is why photographers like the 2.8 lens for portraits they are able to get that nice blurred background. good luck with your continued shooting post your results.

 

[btkrausen]

Anybody know exactly how to change this on the Nikon D40? I thought it was playing the the f-stop, but wasn't sure on how do it exactly.

 

[m and m]

You need to raise your appiture to roughly 9+ more in the 14-16 range this is also gonna raise your shutter speed which might make it not hand holdable.

 

[clowns101]

There should be a nob on the front of the camera that will let you change it.

It will say in teh manual.

You seem to have alot of noise in your shots,what ISO are you using?

 

[btkrausen]

I dont know, all my shots have been done on auto setting. I do have the noise reduction option turned off though.

 

[m and m]

There should be a nob on the front of the camera that will let you change it.

It will say in teh manual.

You seem to have alot of noise in your shots,what ISO are you using?

You can tell he is using a 800+ you should try to get it under 200 though but your gonna need a tripod to get everything in focuse and also get that niose out.

 

[m and m]

I dont know, all my shots have been done on auto setting. I do have the noise reduction option turned off though.

You want to do this in manual thats you prob, you have a DSLR and your not using the controle you have .

 

[blurry]

backing up what was said above:

priority modes - these are "modes" on your camera where you control aperture or shutter speed and the camera handles the other one for you. this is easier than manual where you control both.

aperture (f-stops) - this controls how much light the lens lets in - smaller number is more light and a shallow depth of field (not much in focus), higher number is less light and more in focus
---note that is you increase the f-stop you are going to gain focus, however let in less light which means your shutter (exposes sensor) needs to stay open longer.

shutter speed - controls how long the sensor which records the image is exposed to the light your lens lets through. faster shutter speeds capture moving things with little to no blur - slower will blurr (sensor sees all the movement)

so as you increase your f-stop to gain depth of field your shutter time will also increase making you more prone t blurring. this is the reason you should use a tri-pod and a timed setting (2/5/10 second delay to take picture), or a remote trigger. the camera is so sensitive that your hand pressing on the shutter button can blur the image.

ISO controls the sensitivity of the sensor - you can reduce your shutter speed by increasing the sensitivity (ISO) - however it comes at the price of loosing color brightness and grainy images.

try the following settings:

tripod
set timer to take picture to 10 seconds
aperture priority mode
F11
ISO 100

the camera will control the shutter speed for you (again - aperture priority puts you in charge of aperture and lets the camera control the shutter speed).

good example of f-stop impact on depth of field: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/photography-forum/53956-depth-field-pictures.html

 

[btkrausen]

Thanks guys. I used to take my macro pics using all manual settings, but I haven't done it in years. I need to spend the time going over it again to help the quality of my pics. I was hoping to take the lazy way out and hoping I could make a change with keeping it on automatic, haha. I'll start going over all the manual stuff again.

I have a tripod, and when I used to do manual, I always used a 5 second timer to prevent my hand from moving the camera.

 

[CSJIII]

I am a Canon guy but I am sure the D40 has an aperture priority function on the wheel. Use that setting and set it at f10 or greater. I do some reverse macro photography and even when its set to f26 on my Canon 7d, I cant get a long depth of field. The closer you get (macro) the higher your f-stop needs to be.

 

[btkrausen]

I am a Canon guy but I am sure the D40 has an aperture priority function on the wheel. Use that setting and set it at f10 or greater. I do some reverse macro photography and even when its set to f26 on my Canon 7d, I cant get a long depth of field. The closer you get (macro) the higher your f-stop needs to be.

Thanks, I might have to break out the manual this weekend and take a glance over it. Appreciate all the help so far.

 

[CSJIII]

Choose the "A" and play with it like that. It should adjust your shutter automatically.

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[purplereef]

Also Gadgets told me to shoot in RAW format. Give this a try as well.

 

[m and m]

Also Gadgets told me to shoot in RAW format. Give this a try as well.

Raw is just a bigger size picture with better quilty. IF your not going to run the picture in PS or other programes its unneeded jpag large is fine. With raw you need to run it threw a color correction softwear almost 99% of the time.

 

[btkrausen]

Choose the "A" and play with it like that. It should adjust your shutter automatically.

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Oh really. I always shot under the M previously when do it Manually. Wasn't aware that the A would adjust the shutter. Great stuff, thanks CSJIII

 

[btkrausen]

Also Gadgets told me to shoot in RAW format. Give this a try as well.

Yeah, RAW just gives you a better picture quality, along with a much bigger picture size. I used to shoot in RAW + Jpeg, but now I just shoot in FINE.