During focus shift, the camera automatically varies focus over a series of photographs. This feature can be used to take photos that will later be combined using focus stacking. Before using focus shift, rotate the focus mode selector to AF and choose a release mode other than .

Sample image 1

I selected an aperture of f/5.6 to minimize the effects of diffraction and also to enable a balanced performance from the lens. I chose a focus step width of “2” for cleaner stacking.

Subject size	Approximately 20 cm
Distance to subject at start of shooting	Approximately 0.6 m
Focus step width	2
Number of shots	101
Exposure smoothing	OFF
Silent Photography	ON
Image editing software	Combine ZM
Lens	AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED
Exposure mode	Aperture-priority auto
Shutter speed	1/8 s
Aperture	f/5.6
ISO sensitivity	ISO 100

Sample image 2

I selected an aperture of f/5.6 to minimize the effects of diffraction and also to enable a balanced performance from the lens. I chose a focus step width of “2” for cleaner stacking.

Distance to subject at start of shooting	Approximately 1 m
Focus step width	2
Number of shots	10
Exposure smoothing	OFF
Silent Photography	ON
Image editing software	Photoshop CC
Lens	AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
Exposure mode	Aperture-priority auto
Shutter speed	1/30 s
Aperture	f/5.6
ISO sensitivity	ISO 64

I tried using a series of photos taken using focus shift to make a movie that I think lets you experience how depth of field and focus position change from shot to shot. Focus stacking is the process of selecting just the areas in focus in these shots and combining them to create an image in which the entire frame is in focus.