kfoo Loc: Arkansas

Can I get a suggestion on a good video on focus stacking? I have not tried it but it sounds interesting and i would like to try it.

bleirer

http://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker/docs/tutorials/tutorialsindex

https://www.heliconsoft.com/

good info and tutorials here.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

I am a big fan of the Cambridge Colour articles / tutorials. Here's the one on focus stacking: https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/focus-stacking.htm

Checks your camera manual to see if does focus stacking for you. If not, you can do it manually. I use it fairly often especially for landscapes and macro photography. Here's an example using 20 stacked images of a caterpillar for the Black Swallow Tail Butterfly here in SE Texas. I use LR to do the initial editing then on to PS to align and merge. For landscapes I usually take 3 shots, one close, one in the middle, and one near or at infinity. You can really get some magnificent results.

(Download)

Brian Hartnell Loc: Marinette WI

You should try Affinity Photo, they have a very nice built in module that does focus stacking and it has done very nicely for me. I have used Adobe Photoshop CS6, On1 2018, Photo shop elements, and Helicon Focus to do this as well but found the Affinity Photo extremely easy to use and accurate. They have a 30 free trial with no restrictions so you can download and test its accuracy at no cost.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

I moved from Photoshop to Affinity Photo two years ago and am very happy with the decision. Here’s a brief comparison of stacking with Affinity Photo and Zerene.
https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/focus-stacking-software-comparison-zerene-and-affinity.710257/

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

You asked about focus stacking, but I don't know if you are wanting to know about how to take the pictures in the camera (which may or may not involve special equipment. Depending), or how to use software to merge the pictures --> a stacked image. For taking the pictures in the first place the answers depend on what scale you are going after. You can stack landscapes, close ups (flowers in a garden), or closer-up, or macro. Can't help you much there unless you say what you want.

You are getting various advice on the software used to to merge the pictures into a stacked image. They are all good. All software choices have 'catches' though. There are many detailed comparisons out there for the various options. Here is one: https://www.photoworkout.com/best-focus-stacking-software/ there are others. I don't have a strong opinion about what is better other than the dedicated stacking programs (Zerene and Helicon) are better at providing dedicated touch up tools to help you resolve the various artifacts that can appear in the stacked image. And you are going to get artifacts. That is part of the 'deal' with stacking.

Indy55

YouTube. Lots of information.

Imagemine Loc: St. Louis USA

Mark Denny on YouTube, he edits in LR and finishes the process in PS , good luck

kfoo Loc: Arkansas

Thanks for all the info, I think I will try it and see how it comes out. I think I will try landscapes first. Wish me luck!

Imagemine Loc: St. Louis USA

Good luck 👍

bleirer

If you have Lightroom/Photoshop it is pretty simple for up to 20-30 images. Can bog down depending on the memory after that.

Guzser02

Phocus Stacking reveals a new world of image making. I would caution you to purchase any new software until you give Affinity Photo a try. Its far superior to Photoshop.
Zerene Stacker and Helicon Focus are both expensive and should only be considered if you NEED a dedicated application or if money is not a problem.

Brian Hartnell Loc: Marinette WI

You might also look into purchasing a macro rail such as the Oben MFR4-5 for around $90 to give you the precise adjustment of the camera by millimeters to create the ultra close stacked images. This rail is also sturdy, allows you movement horizontally and forward\backward with good control, has a level, and a quick camera release plate. I started focus stacking using a Fotomate macro rail for about $12 and it was good for awhile but cheaply made. Enough to get me started without high cost. This suggestion is only needed if your going to do extreme close up stacked images such as bugs, flowers and tiny objects etc.