My Photos Have A Narrow Depth Of Field; My Camera Is Missing Pictures, Or The First Exposure - GigaPan EPIC Pro User Manual

6.2 My photos have a narrow depth of field
There are several factors that affect the depth of field. You can increase the depth of
field on your camera by:
• increasing the aperture value
• decreasing the focal length
• increasing the distance to your subject
• using a smaller size image sensor
• using auto focus to shift the critical focus if appropriate
You can also consult a depth of field chart provided by your lens manufacturer.
There is a point at which you will experience diminishing returns in image quality while
increasing the aperture value to maximize the depth of field. The image will begin to
be degraded by diffraction losses if you use to high of an aperture value such as f/22
versus f/8, f/11 or f/16. You may be able to use auto focus to increase the sharpness
of your panorama depending upon your subject, available light, lens, and camera.
Using auto focus allows you to move the critical focus for each position in your pan-
orama. (See Chapter 2.8 for more information on auto focus)
6.3 My camera is missing pictures, or the first exposure
There could be several causes for your camera to miss pictures:
1. The EPIC Pro's platform is moving faster than your camera can take pic-
tures.
a. Navigate to 'Options' > 'Time per Pic' in the EPIC Pro Menu.
b. Use the directional keys to increase the time that the EPIC Pro will wait
before moving.
2. While using auto focus you did not focus the lens before starting your
panorama.
a. Press the shutter button on your camera halfway to engage the focus
system and achieve good focus before starting your panorama.
3. Autofocus is not achieving focus and not taking pictures.
a. Navigate to 'Options' > 'Expert Options' > 'Shutter Length' in the EPIC
Pro Menu. Increase the value of the 'Shutter Length' setting to a value
greater than 'Time per Pic' to permit the autofocus sub system longer to
achieve good focus.
b. If you have a faster lens (lower minimum aperture value such as f/2.8)
consider using this lens. Note that a zoom lens will normally have two val-
ues printed on the lens. A minimum effective aperture at the shortest focal
length and then a slower effective aperture at the longest focal length.
c. Consider using manual focus or a mixed manual focus and auto focus
approach with areas such as sky, water, plain walls that do not contain
detailed features.
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