Practicing focus stacking (Page 2): I second that opinion.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

TGanner wrote:

Here is the method I use: In Photoshop go to FILES and select SCRIPTS > LOAD FILES INTO STACKS (check "Attempt to Auto Align." Then select all the layers, go to EDIT > AUTO BLEND LAYERS > STACK IMAGES (Check "Seamless tones and colors." ... and away we go!

I second that opinion.

RLSprouse Loc: Encinitas CA (near Sandy Eggo)

I've been doing a lot of macro and focus stacking recently, and have been using Helicon Focus software to do the actual stacking. I tried doing a few stacks in Photoshop, and couldn't get as good a result.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I haven't used Helicon but do find the Ps results incredible.
--Bob

RLSprouse wrote:

I've been doing a lot of macro and focus stacking recently, and have been using Helicon Focus software to do the actual stacking. I tried doing a few stacks in Photoshop, and couldn't get as good a result.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

RLSprouse wrote:

I've been doing a lot of macro and focus stacking recently, and have been using Helicon Focus software to do the actual stacking. I tried doing a few stacks in Photoshop, and couldn't get as good a result.

I've heard Helicon Focus mentioned so often you've convinced me to download and give it a try...

bwa

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

bwana wrote:

I've heard Helicon Focus mentioned so often you've convinced me to download and give it a try...

bwa

Helicon works really well, and is very easy to use.

RLSprouse Loc: Encinitas CA (near Sandy Eggo)

bwana wrote:

I've heard Helicon Focus mentioned so often you've convinced me to download and give it a try...

bwa

Let us know how it works out for you!

I haven't (yet) tried Zerene Stacker (it's kind of expensive), but since they offer a 30-day free trial, I'll give it a shot sometime soon.

will47 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

TGanner wrote:

Here is the method I use: In Photoshop go to FILES and select SCRIPTS > LOAD FILES INTO STACKS (check "Attempt to Auto Align." Then select all the layers, go to EDIT > AUTO BLEND LAYERS > STACK IMAGES (Check "Seamless tones and colors." ... and away we go!

Can you do this if the images are captured in RAW?

will47 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

RLSprouse wrote:

Let us know how it works out for you!

I haven't (yet) tried Zerene Stacker (it's kind of expensive), but since they offer a 30-day free trial, I'll give it a shot sometime soon.

Does this product and Helicon work with RAW files?

RLSprouse Loc: Encinitas CA (near Sandy Eggo)

will47 wrote:

Does this product and Helicon work with RAW files?

Helicon Focus does. I'm not sure about Zerene.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

will47 wrote:

Does this product and Helicon work with RAW files?

Helicon will accept raw files and convert them on import to dng, perform the stacking, then export a merged dng file for editing in Lightroom, Photoshop or any other software that will read dng.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

will47 wrote:

Does this product and Helicon work with RAW files?

The latest version, 1.04, of Zerene Stacker only accepts JPG and TIF format.

bwa

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Gene51 wrote:

Helicon will accept raw files and convert them on import to dng, perform the stacking, then export a merged dng file for editing in Lightroom, Photoshop or any other software that will read dng.

The pro version can produce .DNG files. The lite version does not have that ability.

Both versions accept RAW files and both version can output JPEG or TIFF.

Helicon has a lot of options, but most of the time, the default settings can be used.

RLSprouse Loc: Encinitas CA (near Sandy Eggo)

RLSprouse wrote:

Helicon Focus does. I'm not sure about Zerene.

Here's a shot I just completed, stacking ten raw frames with Helicon Focus, then PP'd in Photoshop. Download to see the real colors.

(Download)

guv78

RLSprouse wrote:

Here's a shot I just completed, stacking ten raw frames with Helicon Focus, then PP'd in Photoshop. Download to see the real colors.

Beautiful flowers. Do you know the species? I tried to use google images to search for the type but it came up with alstroemeria - but looks nothing like yours. The leaves suggest a succulent or arid type environment.

RLSprouse Loc: Encinitas CA (near Sandy Eggo)

guv78 wrote:

Beautiful flowers. Do you know the species? I tried to use google images to search for the type but it came up with alstroemeria - but looks nothing like yours. The leaves suggest a succulent or arid type environment.

It is a scruffy looking, low growing succulent. I'm not good with species, sorry.