A method for providing an extended depth of field (EDOF) image includes: Periodically modulating an imaging system focus position at a high frequency; using an image exposure comprising discrete image exposure increments acquired at discrete focus positions during an image integration time comprising a plurality of modulation periods of the focus position; and using strobe operations having controlled timings configured to define a set of evenly spaced focus positions for the image exposure increments. The timings are configured so that adjacent focus positions in the set are acquired at times that are separated by at least one reversal of the direction of change of the focus position during its periodic modulation. This solves practical timing problems that may otherwise prevent obtaining closely spaced discrete image exposure increments during high frequency focus modulation. Deconvolution operations may be used to improve clarity in the resulting EDOF image.