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How to determine diffraction limit for a lens?

Started Jun 28, 2011 | Discussions thread

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Don Strimbu

Regular Member • Posts: 451

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How to determine diffraction limit for a lens?

Jun 28, 2011

I've been shooting a lot of macro subjects (yeah, flowers again) with my SD15, the 70mm f2.8 DG Macro and the 105mm f2.8 DG Macro.

I read an article about diffraction effects at small apertures, and I understand the concepts of the Airy disk and a sensor's "circle of confusion". That being said, other than shooting test charts, is there a practical method to determine the smallest aperture to use with these lenses to balance DOF and sharpness?

I've generally limit my minimum aperture to f11, just because... is there a method to this madness, or am I throwing DOF away?

-Don

--
Don Strimbu | Chicago, IL USA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dstrimbu

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Post (hide subjects)	Posted by	When
How to determine diffraction limit for a lens?	Don Strimbu	Jun 28, 2011
Re: How to determine diffraction limit for a lens?	mike earussi	Jun 29, 2011
Diffraction Limit Calculator...	Robert F. Tobler	Jun 29, 2011
Once again, we have the mistake that	Mostly Lurking	Jun 29, 2011
Re: Once again, we have the mistake that	DaSigmaGuy	Jul 3, 2011
Re: Diffraction Limit Calculator...	Craigski	Jun 29, 2011
I understand your thinking, but . . .	Mostly Lurking	Jun 29, 2011
Re: I understand your thinking, but . . .	KM Legacy	Jun 29, 2011
Perceived DOF, yes. DOF itself, no---it's defined. [nt]	Mostly Lurking	Jun 30, 2011
Re: Perceived DOF, yes. DOF itself, no---it's defined. [nt]	KM Legacy	Jul 1, 2011
Your reply post sure seems to contradict itself. [nt]	Mostly Lurking	Jul 1, 2011
Of course not. KM had it exactly right...	Joseph S Wisniewski	Jul 4, 2011
Re: Diffraction Limit Calculator...	Don Strimbu	Jun 30, 2011
f5.6 ?	Don Strimbu	Jun 30, 2011
Re: f5.6 ?	mike earussi	Jun 30, 2011
Re: f5.6 ?	cinefeel	Jun 30, 2011
Re: f5.6 ?	mike earussi	Jul 1, 2011
And again, f5.6 for the 105mm...	Joseph S Wisniewski	Jul 4, 2011
That's why focus stacking is such an important technique...	Joseph S Wisniewski	Jul 4, 2011
I think you'll like this:	Great Bustard	Jun 29, 2011
Don't think that's great advice for landscapes	Kendall Helmstetter Gelner	Jun 29, 2011
Re: Don't think that's great advice for landscapes	Great Bustard	Jun 29, 2011
Re: Don't think that's great advice for landscapes	Kendall Helmstetter Gelner	Jun 30, 2011
Re: I think you'll like this:	Don Strimbu	Jun 30, 2011
Re: How to determine diffraction limit for a lens?	DMillier	Jun 29, 2011
Yes	Midnighter	Jun 29, 2011
Re: How to determine diffraction limit for a lens?	Truman Prevatt	Jun 29, 2011
Wait a minute . . .	Mostly Lurking	Jun 29, 2011
Re: Wait a minute . . .	Truman Prevatt	Jun 29, 2011
Re: Wait a minute . . .	Mostly Lurking	Jun 29, 2011
Oh, I just saw your point of reference, Truman . . .	Mostly Lurking	Jun 29, 2011
Re: How to determine diffraction limit for a lens?	KM Legacy	Jun 29, 2011
Re: How to determine diffraction limit for a lens?	Mostly Lurking	Jun 30, 2011
Re: How to determine diffraction limit for a lens?	KM Legacy	Jul 1, 2011
Re: How to determine diffraction limit for a lens?	Mostly Lurking	Jul 1, 2011
Re: How to determine diffraction limit for a lens?	KM Legacy	Jul 1, 2011
"Most" was immaterial, especially since you stated	Mostly Lurking	Jul 1, 2011
Re: How to determine diffraction limit for a lens?	Truman Prevatt	Jul 1, 2011
Re: How to determine diffraction limit for a lens?	docmaas	Jun 30, 2011
Re: How to determine diffraction limit for a lens?	Don Strimbu	Jun 30, 2011
diffraction limit applies to sensors, not lenses	photoSmart42	Jul 2, 2011

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