Geranium macro

[John R]

Geraniums taken with 100 mm macro and extension tube. Jpeg straight out of camera. Depth of field is limited to 2.8 because I am using mechanical extension tubes that can't interface with electronic controls. So have to hunt for something suitable.  It seems no one wants to manufacture electronic tubes for Pentax. In meantime I will try some focus stacking.

JR

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

That's quite a promising image, even with cantankerous equipment.

[RSL]

Nicely done, John.

[John R]

That's quite a promising image, even with cantankerous equipment.

Thanks Eric and Russ for your thoughts. Eric, of course I only want to keep certain areas sharp and maintain the beautiful combination of in-focus vs out-of-focus areas and thereby maintain the aesthetic appeal. F2.8 is extremely shallow and most of the time not desirable. You can see what I am after from the second attached image.

JR

[francois]

Very punchy! I like them both with a very slight preference for the first one.
Well done.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

I like 'em both. But then again, I'm a card-carrying member of the John R Fan Club.   

[John R]

For the card carrying member (with many thanks) and all who love the aesthetic look.

JR

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Thank you for that one, John.

[Arlen]

That aesthetic is a favorite of mine too, John. I'm particularly fond of the 2nd and 3d ones, which seem to me to best hit the mark.

[John R]

Thanks Arlen. The first was supposed to be part of a stack, but it came out horribly. 2 and 3 are stacked but with only one or two in the stack. It's almost the only way to get what you want in focus (using razor thin depth of field) and still preserve the bokeh. But I am working on it to see if can master this focus stacking.

JR

[Arlen]

Focus stacking is fun to play with. I used to use a focus rail for stacking, but now with the built-in focus stacking capability of the Olympus E-M1 that I have, it is much easier.