Focus shift shooting

Focus shift automatically varies focus over a series of shots. Use it to take photos that will later be combined using focus stacking to create a single image with increased depth of field. Before using focus shift, choose a focus mode of AF-A, AF-S, or AF-C and a release mode other than E.

Focus shift photography

1. Focus.
   • During focus shift, the camera takes a series of shots starting from a selected focus position and continuing toward infinity. Given that shooting ends when infinity is reached, the starting focus position should be slightly in front of (i.e., closer to the camera than) the closest point on the subject.
   • Do not move the camera after focusing.
2. Highlight [Focus shift shooting] in the photo shooting menu.
   
   Press 2 to select the highlighted item and display focus shift settings.
   
3. Adjust focus shift settings.
   • Choose the number of shots.

     

     

     

     • The maximum number of shots is 300.
     • We recommend taking more shots than you think you’ll need. You can winnow them down during focus stacking.
     • More than 100 shots may be required for photographs of insects or other small objects. On the other hand, only a few may be needed to photograph a landscape from front to back with a wide-angle lens.
   • Choose the amount the focus distance changes with each shot.

     

     

     

     • Press 4 to reduce the focus step width, 2 to increase.
     • Note that high settings increase the risk that some areas will be out of focus when the shots are stacked. A value of 5 or less is recommended.
     • Try experimenting with different settings before shooting.
   • Choose the interval until next shot.

     

     

     

     • Choose the interval between shots, in seconds.
     • Select [00] to take photos at up to about 3 fps.
     • To ensure correct exposure when using a flash, choose an interval long enough for the flash to charge. A setting of [00] is recommended when shooting without a flash.
   • Enable or disable first-frame exposure lock.

     

     

     

     • [Off] is recommended if lighting and other conditions will not change during shooting, [On] when photographing landscapes and the like under variable lighting.
     • Selecting [On] locks exposure at the value for the first shot, ensuring that all photos have the same exposure. Large changes in subject brightness during shooting may however result in apparent variations in exposure. This can be addressed by selecting [Off].
   • Enable or disable silent photography.

     

     

     

   • Choose starting folder options.

     

     

     

     • Highlight an option and press 2 to select; selected items are marked with a check (M). To deselect (remove the check from: U) a selected option, highlight it and press 2 again.
     • Place a check (M) next to [New folder] to create a new folder for each new sequence.
     • Place a check (M) next to [Reset file numbering] to reset file numbering to 0001 whenever a new folder is created.
4. Highlight [Start] and press J.
   
   • Shooting starts after about 3 s.
   • The display turns off during shooting.
   • The camera takes photographs at the selected interval, starting at the focus distance selected at the start of shooting and progressing out toward infinity by the selected focus step distance with each shot.
   • Shooting ends when the selected number of shots has been taken or focus reaches infinity.

Ending focus shift photography

To end shooting before all shots have been taken, either:

• select [Focus shift shooting] in the photo shooting menu, highlight [Off], and press J, or
• press the shutter-release button halfway or press the J button between shots.