Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Not sure if that is right. The longer the lens, the smaller the number should be (that seems counter-intuitive to a lot of users.) The tube then will automatically calculate the focus increments for any f stop you choose on the camera. I set the tube to the recommended step number (smaller numbers are a smaller turn of the focus ring, not a smaller number of shots), tested that on an angled page of text, and then decided to go with a somewhat smaller step number. I repeated that a couple of times until I was happy with the overlap. No matter the aperture, it then works and you don't have to reset it every time you change the f stop.

A smaller step number means a smaller step of the focus ring, not a smaller number of steps.

I shot a flower the other day that was about 1/8" and it took 32 shots if I remember. As magnification is increased, the number of shots to get through the subject dramatically increases. At 1:3 - 1:1 magnification I need 15-35 shots. When I add the Raynox 250 is when I get up over 40, and of course the deeper the subject the more shots needed, so there is that variable as well. I shot an Iris bloom last Spring, a 4" wide (and 4" deep) subject filling the frame, and that took 68 shots. I don't remember the aperture - probably f/11 which I use a lot - so my example is not all that definitive but it may give you some idea. Mike

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Interesting idea that hadn't occurred to me. If you can remember where you saw that video... Mike

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

This is one set-up that I know about: https://www.flickr.com/photos/andredekesel/22419800486/in/album-72157631817963808/. Looking closely, the enclosure is simply a translucent container with a glass back.

naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA

Don't know if this will answer you question, but Zerene will let you stack every 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc. frame. When you start to see banding, you've went far enough. Load your flower bud stack & Go to: Options>Preferences>Pre-procesing and tic the box "Stack every Nth frame. Change the number and run a new stack.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

That’s a feature I hadn’t discovered. Thank you!

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Thanks Mark. That would work. Mike

cactuspic Loc: Dallas, TX

Mark, on the Zerene website, they give the depth of field at a given magnification and f/stop. (Sorry, you may have given the magnification and I missed it). The total number of images seems extremely high if you are at 1:1, but reasonable at 3:1. I believe Zerene has a feature that you can select every other or every third image, but I am not at my main computer to check. If you ran such a test, look for banding to see if the intervals in the every other or every third image are insufficiently close.

In any case, keep up the good work.

Irwin