A spoonful.. These seed cones each individually fit on a US dime, so I put three in a teaspoon and stacked 16 frames. I converted one to monochrome because of the color on the front...

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

These seed cones each individually fit on a US dime, so I put three in a teaspoon and stacked 16 frames.
I converted one to monochrome because of the color on the front edge of the spoon. Honestly, I don't know if this is CA or color picked up from some nearby flowers of that color.

The "facts": Nikkor 105 on a D7100 illuminated with diffused SB200s, primary flash at 1/4 & secondary unit at 1/16. F/5.6 & shutter duration at 1/50s. Tethered & captured using Helicon Remote & stacked in Helicon Focus.

(Download)

DobiePower Loc: Texas

These are beautiful. At first I decided that I liked the color one the best because I just like color and it is a beautiful shot. Then I downloaded the monochrome one and discovered that it has its own beauty even without the color - wonderful texture.

I also appreciate that you included the information on how you created the shots and what equipment you used. Now I have research to do because I have never done stacking before (I'm not sure I even know what it is) - so today is going to be a really good day. I'm going to learn something new and different. Thanks for sharing.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

DobiePower wrote:

These are beautiful. At first I decided that I li... (show quote)

Susan: thank for the kind comments. Nikonian72 has added some information on stacking on the Macro forum main page, so I won't repeat all of the details here.

In a nutshell, stacking consists of taking multiple shots and adjusting the focus incrementally (or the plane of focus with a focusing rail) and then combining these images using focus stacking software.

DobiePower Loc: Texas

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

Nikonian72 has added some information on stacking on the Macro forum main page, so I won't repeat all of the details here.

Thank you, I will check out Nikonian72's info.

Muddyvalley Loc: McMinnville, Oregon

Very cool! I like them both. Color from the marble table?

BTW: Helicon Remote is the winner for me. If only because of the DOF calc. & auto determination of # of shots. With CMNikn it looks to be a guessing game.

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

I like the coloured one best, it looks like a hand-painted surreal still life. It takes on a whole new and different life on download. I imagine it was quite difficult to do. You boys are so talented.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Muddyvalley wrote:

Helicon Remote is the winner for me. If only because of the DOF calc. & auto determination of # of shots. With CMNikon it looks to be a guessing game.

I'll continue to use Helicon Remote for indoor stacks. For field macro, I'm looking at this: http://www.promotesystems.com/products/Promote-Control.html

It's kinda spendy, but I'm going to sell a few things so then I might add this to my arsenal. I'd really like to try it first, but my local shop doesn't carry it for sale or for rental. It has quite a few other functions as well.

CMNikn is out for me because it's for "Windows only".

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

AlicanteBrenda wrote:

I like the coloured one best, it looks like a hand-painted surreal still life. It takes on a whole new and different life on download. You boys are so talented.

Thanks, Brenda.

Muddyvalley Loc: McMinnville, Oregon

Looks promising, but doesn't support my camera yet. Also requires more expertise.
I need the ease of picking near & far focus points and the program calculating the # of steps based on the Aperture setting. I'm not that good at math. My life is complicated enough. :-) BTW, just ordered a Stackshot.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Muddyvalley wrote:

BTW, just ordered a Stackshot.

StackShot = problem solved

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Did you allow Helicon Remote to adjust the lens focus, or to adjust camera Working Distance on rails?
http://www.heliconsoft.com/heliconsoft-products/helicon-remote

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Nikonian72 wrote:

Did you allow Helicon Remote to adjust the lens focus, or to adjust camera Working Distance on rails?

I used Helicon remote at adjust the lens focus. I think what I've come to realize is this: Using a focusing rail is preferable at greater magnifications.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

I think what I've come to realize is this: Using a focusing rail is preferable at greater magnifications.

I am of the opposite opinion. As a lens movers very close to a macro subject (reducing the Working Distance) during sequential image captures, perspective distortion can play havoc on the closest part of subject, during PP stack merging.
I like lens ring Auto-Focus method.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Nikonian72 wrote:

I am of the opposite opinion. As a lens movers very close to a macro subject (reducing the Working Distance) during sequential image captures, perspective distortion can play havoc on the closest part of subject, during PP stack merging.

Since I don't do much beyond 2x, I'll have to defer.

Muddyvalley Loc: McMinnville, Oregon

Nikonian72 wrote:

I am of the opposite opinion. As a lens movers very close to a macro subject (reducing the Working Distance) during sequential image captures, perspective distortion can play havoc on the closest part of subject, during PP stack merging.

From a Zerene tutorial: "Is it better to use a focus rail or the ring on my lens?"
http://www.zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker/docs/troubleshooting/ringversusrail
From a raisin to landscape = focus ring.
Eye of a fruit fly to raisin size = motorized rail.