Why is depth of field so shallow with a 100mm macro lens, and how can I control it?
Asked 7/13/2011
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2 answers
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I’m new to macro photography and just started using a Canon 100mm macro lens on a Canon Rebel T3. When I shoot close-up subjects, the depth of field is extremely shallow, so only a thin part of the subject looks sharp. Is this normal for macro lenses, or am I missing focus?
I’ve also noticed autofocus seems unreliable at close distances, and manual focus sometimes lets me get closer or more precise results. Is that expected with macro photography?
Can I reduce the shallow depth of field, and what camera settings or technique should I try?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
16
Depth of field decreases rapidly as you focus closer, what you're experiencing is common to all macro lenses. It can only be remedied by stopping the aperture right down, or by using focus stacking.
Autofocus is also commonly unreliable with macro photography the best approach is often to set the lens to its minimum focus distance and then move the camera back and forth to achieve focus.
If you're attempting handheld macro shots in daylight (which is quite doable) I would set the lens to manual focus and the camera to aperture priority at f/11, and then set the ISO in order to get a reasonable shutter speed of at least 1/200s. Finally, don't give up - macro photography is hard and there are far too many people on the net making it look easy!
Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1375
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—this is normal in macro photography. As you focus closer, depth of field becomes extremely thin, regardless of lens, so with a 100mm macro only a very small slice of the subject may be sharp.
To get more of the subject in focus:
- Use a smaller aperture (higher f-number), such as around f/9 to f/11.
- If needed, use focus stacking: take several shots focused at slightly different distances and combine them later.
Autofocus also often struggles at macro distances. A common approach is to switch to manual focus, set the lens near the desired magnification or minimum focus distance, and then move the camera slightly back and forth until the subject snaps into focus.
If you’re shooting handheld, try aperture priority mode, stop down to about f/11, and raise ISO as needed to keep shutter speed reasonably fast (around 1/200s was suggested).
So the issue is mostly not a defect with the lens—it’s a normal macro limitation, and controlling aperture and technique will help a lot.
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