Software for Focus Stacking

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DaveW
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Software for Focus Stacking

Post by DaveW »

Interesting use of software for Focus Stacking:-

http://www.breezesys.com/DSLRRemotePro/ ... acking.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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angelo
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Re: Software for Focus Stacking

Post by angelo »

Thanks for you link.
DaveW
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Re: Software for Focus Stacking

Post by DaveW »

It really depends on the magnification you want. Obviously a model car is pretty large so only a few stacks needed. At higher magnifications though you will need an accurate focusing slide that can move the camera in millimetre or sub-millimetre increments.

Combine Z is free software, but does not seem to be being upgraded anymore. There are other commercial software's available for focus stacking, but you have to pay for them although a free limited duration trial is often possible:-

http://zerenesystems.com/cms/home" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.heliconsoft.com/heliconfocus-articles/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Some may find this calculator useful for how many stacks are needed:-

http://www.tirpor.com/macro/macro_DOF.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

One of the problems at higher magnifications is diffraction rears it's ugly head and becomes noticeable, therefore you can no longer use the smaller apertures on the lens but have to open it up to it's optimum aperture, which means an even shallower depth of field and even more stacks needed:-

http://www.janrik.net/insects/ExtendedD ... deoff.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The master of high magnification focus stacking is Charles Krebs who uses it to produce images like these:-

http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... .php?t=243" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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angelo
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Re: Software for Focus Stacking

Post by angelo »

I have a Tamron 90mm macro sp but as you know does not go over 1: 1 magnification. To obtain this magnification almost always use a micrometer slide

some time ago I made some test using just combine zip but without appreciable results because I just some shots and not understood well the software.
I used also Helicon focus but the trial period not allowed me to do other tests.

I got to see the beautiful images of the site Photomacrography.é very interesting and the photos are wonderful despite the higher magnification.
I'll do some testing with Zerene Stacker.

some pictures about 1: 1 magnification
ALP©_DSC2776.jpg
ALP©_DSC2776.jpg (42.43 KiB) Viewed 7736 times
ALP©_DSC4056.jpg
ALP©_DSC4056.jpg (38.24 KiB) Viewed 7736 times
the Charlel Krebs pics is fantastic.

thanks for your advice
DaveW
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Re: Software for Focus Stacking

Post by DaveW »

I like the second picture.

Don't know if this link is any use for you for Combine Z low magnification stacking?

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=61316" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Most conventional macro lenses stop at 1:1, though as I presume you know you can get more magnification if you use extension tubes behind them, or supplementary close up lenses (close up filters) in front:-

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutori ... loseup.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As you obviously know the greater magnification the harder it is to hand hold to take the shot, so we should really use a tripod for static subjects like plants, which is probably why most macro lenses stop at 1:1 or life size on the sensor as a sensible limit for hand holding. Also the higher megapixel sensor you have the more shake whilst hand holding will be obvious. To get the theoretical resolutions the makers claim the camera needs to be "well bolted down", or you will not achieve image resolutions better than a much lower megapixelled camera.

Also really the quality of the lens is more important than the camera or it's sensor megapixels these days so most macro lenses are built to higher optical quality than kit lenses, good as those are these days, since close up photography really shows any lenses weak points.
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angelo
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Re: Software for Focus Stacking

Post by angelo »

I will read well the advice of the link. For magnifications prefer extension tubes instead of the lenses close up because the former does not contain lenses that could affect the macro lens as it could make a lens that acts like a filter that is added to an already complex construction of many lenses. with respect to the micro moved using a very heavy tripod with a remote control to avoid the shot with fingers .Also imposed the mirror of the reflex so that delays release them avoiding micro vibrations .the camera is a Nikon D200 and always shooting in RAW with a maximum resolution of about 15.6 Mb. i read Carefully the links whith you reported. Interesting the calculator for magnification for each addition of tubes or lens close up .. i hope my english language is understandable.
DaveW
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Re: Software for Focus Stacking

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I too am a Nikon D200 user Angelo and so far have not found the need for anymore megapixels than 10, even 8 megapixels are enough for Internet use due to the low resolution of computer monitors. For most images the lenses I use are Micro Nikkor's. As you say tubes do not impose any extra lens elements on the system as they do with supplementary close up lenses (= close up filters) or tele-converters. All lenses have faults and magnifying their images can show up faults that were not visible when they are used in their normal design range.

Often when we get far beyond 1:1 reversing the lens helps since most lenses are designed to have their rear element closer to the sensor than the front element is to the subject. In higher magnifications the situation is reversed with increased extension where the front element is closer to the subject than the rear is to the sensor, therefore reversing the lens often improves the image. At much higher magnifications using enlarger lenses (also reversed) on tubes or bellows will often produce better images than conventional macro lenses, and at even higher magnifications microscope lenses on them. Depends how much magnification you want?

If you want to get into higher magnifications this link to Savzzi's pages may be of interest (scroll down for the articles):-

http://www.savazzi.net/photography/default.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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angelo
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Re: Software for Focus Stacking

Post by angelo »

I also read of lenses mounted reverse on bellows .Generally 50 mm on full frame or 35mm on dx sensors.

If I remember correctly, the diaphragm is not adjustable because fixed and unique.you confirm?

Read the article by Savazzi
DaveW
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Re: Software for Focus Stacking

Post by DaveW »

If it's the older Nikkor's which had an aperture ring you can adjust the aperture when reversed, because unlike Canon Nikon lenses stop down to minimum aperture when removed from the camera so the aperture ring still works, but Canon's open up to full aperture so don't, though there is a way of getting over that.

You can also get a double cable release and BR4 ring to mount on the lens to stop down at the moment the camera is fired. This link is a bit out of date, but a similar double cable release is available for Nikon digital cameras with an electronic plug, but the bellows are still similar and the bellows have a stop down lever on the front standard anyway. However you can use the double cable release and BR4 ring on tubes as well.

http://www.throughthefmount.com/article ... llows.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Similar equipment is usually available for all the old established camera brands, or those that took them over but retained the same lens mount.
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angelo
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Re: Software for Focus Stacking

Post by angelo »

very useful tips. if I get the chance I will put them into practice.

thank you :)
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