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To stack or not to stack

Started Sep 26, 2019 | Polls thread
Pixel Pooper Veteran Member • Posts: 3,978
Re: Larger DOF with larger sensors (not a typo)

John K wrote:

gardenersassistant wrote:

John K wrote:

Not even remotely possible if the aperture stayed the same...

The aperture was different, as clearly stated!

...and that's why the depth of field changed. Not the sensor size, pixel size, circle of confusion, or any other factor...

Again: Depth of field is nothing more than a function of magnification and aperture.

You should probably specify what you mean by "aperture" in this context. Aperture can mean f/stop, numerical aperture, or entrance/exit pupil diameter.

For a given sensor size, DOF depends only on magnification and effective f/stop but this doesn't work across different formats.

With the same field of view, and the same entrance pupil diameter, you get the same DOF (and the same diffraction) regardless of magnification or sensor size.

Minor factors like the circle of confusion have very little impact in perceived depth, so if you want more depth at a given Fstop you have to lower the magnification. Small sensors work well for depth of field because you can fill the frame with the subject at lower magnifications. It's really that simple...

Small sensors appear to have greater DOF because at the same f/stop the aperture (entrance pupil) is smaller. With the same aperture you get the same DOF and the same diffraction as a larger sensor.

The deepest DOF is achieved by whatever system has the smallest minimum aperture.

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