First Try at Hand-Held Stacking: Well it was a damp old afternoon in Wales I couldn't find any bugs to photograph so, for a bit of fun, I thought I would try some hand-held focus...

PaulBa Loc: Cardiff, Wales

Well it was a damp old afternoon in Wales I couldn't find any bugs to photograph so, for a bit of fun, I thought I would try some hand-held focus stacking .... not easy.
I had about ten attempts of which I've posted my favourite, a stack of 11, which I admit has plenty of room for improvement.
Personally I like the moody darkness, they could be a cluster of meteorites orbiting the red planet.

(Download)

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

👍 I think it basically worked. There may be some artifacts in the anthers near the top, but I am not sure.

PaulBa Loc: Cardiff, Wales

robertjerl wrote:

Thanks for the thumbs up Robert

PaulBa Loc: Cardiff, Wales

Mark Sturtevant wrote:

👍 I think it basically worked. There may be some artifacts in the anthers near the top, but I am not sure.

Thanks for taking the time to comment Mark much appreciated.
I was interesting to see much realigning Zerene managed, even with my breath held I was surprised how difficult it was to keep the subject in a steady frame.
I'll have a close look at the anthers.

PaulBa Loc: Cardiff, Wales

For comparison I've shared a stack from the same bunch of flowers taken using my Stacking-Rig.
Doesn't look quite right to me but I'm not what the issue is, maybe smaller steps ....... so back to practice ......

(Download)

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

You are on your way to capturing many new subjects from a different perspective. If I may make a suggestion. If you are new to stacking, reduce the magnification so you are capturing subjects at 1/2 to 1/4 magnification.This will provide you with more DoF and provide some subjects that will help you in the post processing. Once you are obtaining the results you like at the lower magnification, you can increase it and begin to take on the other aspects of increased magnification.

PaulBa Loc: Cardiff, Wales

Bozsik wrote:

You are on your way to capturing many new subjects from a different perspective. If I may make a suggestion. If you are new to stacking, reduce the magnification so you are capturing subjects at 1/2 to 1/4 magnification.This will provide you with more DoF and provide some subjects that will help you in the post processing. Once you are obtaining the results you like at the lower magnification, you can increase it and begin to take on the other aspects of increased magnification.

Thanks for taking the time to comment Bozsik.
Your advice is spot on, I’m using the MP-E 65 whose magnification ranges fro 1:1 through to 5:1 and like a teenager with a new toy I’ve been concentrating on the 3/4/5:1 end with varying results. This stack was only taken at 1:1 due to the subject size.
As you suggest I’ll try sticking to 1/2:1 for now although I reserve the right to venture towards 5:1 occasionally.
As an aside, will we ever be happy with our photographs? in my experience the more I learn the more flaws I notice.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

PaulBa wrote:

Thanks for taking the time to comment Bozsik.

Still learning myself. I am not dead yet. LOL

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

I usually hand held from 1:1 to 2:1. What worked for me was I actually started hand held stacking with a reversed 35mm lens on my 100mm lens which gave me close to 3:1. Extremely difficult to say the least, But, But, once you achieved this 2:1 and 1:1 was a cake walk. Sort of like learning to ride a unicycle first before learning to ride a bicycle. I also change my Diopiter on my Nikon camera. I can't find the exact one on the net at this time, Dk-170 something, but it increase magnification 17%. Not much, but it helps you see the Focused parts of your subject better, helps you see your slices as you move through the stack. If your going to shot 1:1 to 2:1 find smaller subjects, this way you have a starting point and a stopping point. Of Coarse these are only suggestions, a fun challenge for anyone with the macro bug..............

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

martinfisherphoto wrote:

I usually hand held from 1:1 to 2:1.

PaulBa Loc: Cardiff, Wales

martinfisherphoto wrote:

I usually hand held from 1:1 to 2:1.

Thanks for taking the time to comment and provide some sage advice.