Don't forget Helicon Focus software for stacking focus. It's not too pricey and can stand alone. Doug
Listen to Ray and RailPhotog on this, they know what they're talking about. When I don't use focus stacking software I lean heavily on a 15-30 mm wide angle zoom lens to get that extra depth of field. I've been in photography for over 45 years. Model photography, if done well... is a whole 'nuther hobby within a hobby.
So, to answer your question as directly as I can, and I think you already know this by the information you gave in your post, you'll get the best depth of field with a wide angle lens and by using a small lens opening on that lens.
Jarrell
What camera do you have or are considering? Most come with 18-55mm lenses. At 18mm they are quite capable of shooting what you want, just use the f/22 aperture. You do not need a macro lens, I've been shooting model railroad subjects for about 30 years without one, and not one of my 850+ published images was taken with a macro lens.
For extreme closeups, a wider lens can do magic, but you are talking about lenses in the $500.00 range. My favorite lens is a Tamron 11-18mm lens, use it mostly at 11 mm. Here's a shot on my HO scale modules:
I have quite a bit of info and examples on my website in my signature, check it out.
And contrary to what has been posted previously in this thread, no need to go to a photography website to get model railroad photography information, there are a lot of talented photographers who post on this one.
Good luck!
Bob Boudreau
CANADA
Visit my model railroad photography website: http://sites.google.com/site/railphotog/
Back in the late '70s, Model Railroader had an article about making a pinhole aperture for an SLR lens. It's made from brass wire and thin brass sheet (see pic below). You have to unscrew the rear lens element, insert the pinhole aperture into the lens, and reinstall the lens element. I think he achieved an f-stop of something like f100, or close to it.
Steve S
Bruce, I would say it is a bit more complicated an issue than to get the "one" correct lens. I have 4 lenses in my collection and use them all for different reasons. The most used is my 17mm - 85mm. I also have a fixed 100 mm medium telephoto/macro lens. Very good for some shots, but not as useful as I thought it would be for model photography. I recently bought a 10mm - 22mm wide angle lens. Again there are shots that it is perfect for, but there is a bit of fisheye. I use Photoshop CS5.5 on my Mac and it has a correction that will remove much of the fisheye problem. It does have a great depth of field and can be stopped down to f/32 I believe (IIRC). Very useful for closeup shots with excellent depth of field. Like this one:
I second the suggestion of getting and using a good tripod. I also use a bean bag, a short section of 2x4, or any other way to firmly keep the camera from moving and shoot in AV mode. Also get a remote shutter release for your DSLR.
If you know any local pros talk to them about what you want to do. I am lucky to have a couple of friends who are fairly well known local photographers, one of which has won the top award given by the Professional Society of Photographers of New York State. They have been a great help to me while learning my second hobby in the MR hobby...
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Have you tried focus stacking software? It's free and just about the only way to get the same depth of field would be to use a wide angle lens and a very small f stop such as f/22. With a lens opening like that you'd need tons of light or shoot at a high ISO off a tripod.
Of course, using the free CombineZP program requires the use of a tripod also so that the camera remains absolutely still. But you can use your normal angle lens which would give you the most distortion free image.
I use it all the time.
I want to photograph HO locos and rolling stock from track level and at a 45 degree angle. This requires a good depth of field but what about the perspective? A telephoto would give a flat 2 dimensional effect and a wide angle would distort the actual shape of the print.
Am I correct in my thinking? Which lens is best. cost no object (I'm dreaming here.
Bruce in the Peg