Wondering about D850 Focus Stack Feature: I've read that the Nikon D850 can automatically take a series of exposures at slightly different focus points, to later be combined by some...

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

I've read that the Nikon D850 can automatically take a series of exposures at slightly different focus points, to later be combined by some focus stacking software.

I've got three questions:
1) has anyone used this feature and found it not as useful as it sounds?
2) will it work with my somewhat antiquated AF Micro Nikkor 105mm 1:2.8 D?
3) which focus stacking software is recommended for processing with Photoshop CC?

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

I don't know anything about the D850 but...
Photoshop will do focus stacking, although not the best choice, if you want to experiment without getting any new software.
The two most popular stacking software packages are Helicon Focus and Zerene Stacker.
I personally prefer Helicon.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

1) Yes
2) No idea, if it auto focuses in the normal mode, you may not have any issue.
3) Digicam Control (free) What you do with input is up to you. (This will also control more than one camera)

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

Rongnongno wrote:

1) Yes
2) No idea, if it auto focus in the normal mode, you may not have any issue.
3) Digicam Control (free) What you do with input is up to you. (This will also control more than one camera)

So, what shortcomings did you encounter?

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Too many to count.
I tried it close up on a tripod, macro and landscape. The results are dismal. I have to had, to be honest, that I did not pass to much time to find out why. The settings are self explanatory yet the result is.... eeeeeeewwww

Shutterbug57

Rongnongno wrote:

Too many to count.
I tried it close up on a tripod, macro and landscape. The results are dismal. I have to had, to be honest, that I did not pass to much time to find out why. The settings are self explanatory yet the result is.... eeeeeeewwww

Why? Too many pics or too few? My X-T2 has this feature and it shoots way too many pics, but you can pick and choose.

Bill_de Loc: US

You might want to watch some videos from folks who made it work. I haven't tried it yet as I haven't had the D850 very long.

https://www.google.com/search?q=nikon+focus+shifting&oq=nikon+focus+shifting&aqs=chrome..69i57j0.13371j0j4&sourceid=silk&ie=UTF-8

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Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

cbtsam wrote:

I've read that the Nikon D850 can automatically take a series of exposures at slightly different focus points, to later be combined by some focus stacking software.

I've got three questions:
1) has anyone used this feature and found it not as useful as it sounds?
2) will it work with my somewhat antiquated AF Micro Nikkor 105mm 1:2.8 D?
3) which focus stacking software is recommended for processing with Photoshop CC?

I have used it several times. It is one of my main reasons for getting the D850. I shot some close up mushrooms out in the garden just this morning. I use it in the silent shutter mode-quick and easy.

Focus bracketing only works with lenses that have a built in focusing motor. I have the AF-S version of the 105 and it works perfectly. It will not work with an AF lens according to the manual. I would love to have the Nikon 200mm Micro lens but it is AF so I decided not to get it.

I don’t use CC but I do my stacking with Zerene.

You have total control over the number of shots the camera takes and the size of the step. There are also a couple of other setting such as exposure smoothing if you feel the need.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

I'm with Cwilson, I think it's a great feature on the D850. Have used it several times on closeup flowers with the Nikon 105 mm 2.8 G ED and Nikon 14-24mm 2.8G ED lenses.
Have not used it on landscape. I don't like Photoshop for the final stacking I use Helicon Focus. Big difference. Used both Raw and jpg. My Photoshop chokes on the large raw files so went to the Helicon software, much faster and much sharper transition.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

Rongnongno wrote:

Too many to count.
I tried it close up on a tripod, macro and landscape. The results are dismal. I have to had, to be honest, that I did not pass to much time to find out why. The settings are self explanatory yet the result is.... eeeeeeewwww

Give it another try Ron but this time download Helicon Focus software and use it for your final stacking. I think you can still get a 30 day free trial. If I only had Photoshop I would never use the feature. Like to know what you think.
Jim

GED Loc: North central Pa

cbtsam wrote:

I've read that the Nikon D850 can automatically take a series of exposures at slightly different focus points, to later be combined by some focus stacking software.

I've got three questions:
1) has anyone used this feature and found it not as useful as it sounds?
2) will it work with my somewhat antiquated AF Micro Nikkor 105mm 1:2.8 D?
3) which focus stacking software is recommended for processing with Photoshop CC?

I use the D850 for focus stacking on occasion. The built in feature on the camera would be most useful in a controlled situation with no wind. In the field under real world conditions I much prefer to use manual focus and be able to start and stop my exposure series if a slight breeze causes subject movement. If you start an automated exposure series and a breeze starts moving things you have wasted your time. The automated feature will only work with lenses that have the focus motor built in, not screw drive lenses it also states this in your users manual. I use Zerene stacker and have been very pleased with the results I have obtained. When first starting out with it I had some questions and received quick, precise, personal answers from the developer of the software. Excellent customer service. I have no experience with other software programs.

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

cbtsam wrote:

I've read that the Nikon D850 can automatically take a series of exposures at slightly different focus points, to later be combined by some focus stacking software.

I've got three questions:
1) has anyone used this feature and found it not as useful as it sounds?
2) will it work with my somewhat antiquated AF Micro Nikkor 105mm 1:2.8 D?
3) which focus stacking software is recommended for processing with Photoshop CC?

1. I have used it quite a bit to do photos of flowers.
2. Yes.
3. I use both PS and Zerene Stacker.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

1) Yes
2) Yes
3) I used HeliconFocus only because I've used it for years.
Nitpick Trivia: Nikon's D850 does "Focus shift shooting", not focus stacking. The camera only helps you take many photos. It does not stack them into a single sharp image.

Kozan Loc: Trenton Tennessee

cbtsam wrote:

I've read that the Nikon D850 can automatically take a series of exposures at slightly different focus points, to later be combined by some focus stacking software.

I've got three questions:
1) has anyone used this feature and found it not as useful as it sounds?
2) will it work with my somewhat antiquated AF Micro Nikkor 105mm 1:2.8 D?
3) which focus stacking software is recommended for processing with Photoshop CC?

1)I have used it and it works great. You definitely want to set to manual focus and manual mode. Also, no shutter priority or aperture priority. Manual everything.
2) It will work with any lens you can focus with. This should be used with a tripod. Focus on the nearest part of the subject. Set the number of frames to 100 and 5 for the distance between frames. The D850 will take whatever number of frames necessary to capture the entire image.
3) I used Lightroom for the combining of the images into one image. Worked great.

For me, it worked great! Also, I might add that when the camera starts to take the images, the mirror comes up and the images are recorded silently. My model car image used 29 frames and the camera took them in 29 seconds. Sure beats manually taking each frame and manually adjusting the focus.

Kozan

jkm757 Loc: San Diego, Ca.

I have used the focus shift feature on the D850 and really like it. I found it easy to use and have gotten good results. I use Zerene stacker for stacking software.

10 shot stack with 105 macro at f/6.3

(Download)