Stacking with rail vs focussing
Apr 8, 2014 14:51:22 #
Mike Adams
Loc: Connecticut
For a given object I can create a stack by either changing the focus from front to back and shooting at each point, or by moving the camera on a rail. Are there advantages and disadvantages to each approach?
Thanks
Thanks
Apr 8, 2014 14:55:56 #
In my limited experience, I found that sequentially advancing the focus plane of a stationary camera, slightly changes the lens focal length and makes merging images a bit more difficult. The lens focus on a rail-mounted camera never changes, so the focal length never changes.
Also, accurately step-focusing a lens is much more difficult than accurately step-advancing a rail-mounted camera towards a subject.
Also, accurately step-focusing a lens is much more difficult than accurately step-advancing a rail-mounted camera towards a subject.
Apr 8, 2014 15:02:27 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
thats a question which has been bugging me too.In my limited experience, I found that changing the focus plane of a stationary camera, slightly changes the lens focal length and makes merging images a bit more difficult. The lens focus on a rail-mounted camera never changes, so the focal length never changes.
The stacker software deals with changes in magnification as you move the camera pretty well but does it compensate for the change in viewing angle introduced by a macro which changes focal length as you change focus?
Apr 8, 2014 15:12:30 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
guess our question/answers sort of got out of order there Nikonian72, consider my question answered....slightly changes the lens focal length and makes merging images a bit more difficult. The lens focus on a rail-mounted camera never changes, so the focal length never changes....
Apr 8, 2014 16:10:11 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
I would agree: the incremental movement of a rail-mounted camera is much easier to control and the likelihood that you'll overdo the lens adjustment seems greater to me. One of the things I strive to do when shooting images for focus stacking is to minimize the post production work that would ensue by not being precise enough. By touching my camera as little as possible, I increase my chances of having images that are easier to stack.In my limited experience, I found that sequentially advancing the focus plane of a stationary camera, slightly changes the lens focal length and makes merging images a bit more difficult. The lens focus on a rail-mounted camera never changes, so the focal length never changes.
Also, accurately step-focusing a lens is much more difficult than accurately step-advancing a rail-mounted camera towards a subject.
Also, accurately step-focusing a lens is much more difficult than accurately step-advancing a rail-mounted camera towards a subject.
Apr 8, 2014 17:33:45 #
LoneRangeFinder wrote:
...the incremental movement of a rail-mounted camera is much easier to control ... touching my camera as little as possible....
i would like to be able to work my way up to about a maximum of 5:1 macro.
Is a rail similar to the cognisys stable/heavy-duty enough to handle the 7100/800 plus lens weight?
Apr 8, 2014 18:21:15 #
oldtigger wrote:
Yes it is, Stackshot is rated at 10lbs of vertical load. Agree with the others, IME moving camera produces better results then changing focus.i would like to be able to work my way up to about a maximum of 5:1 macro.
Is a rail similar to the cognisys stable/heavy-duty enough to handle the 7100/800 plus lens weight?
Is a rail similar to the cognisys stable/heavy-duty enough to handle the 7100/800 plus lens weight?
Apr 8, 2014 19:29:59 #
Many thanks for the rapid input. I am just starting out, and I am still overwhelmed with options.
Apr 9, 2014 13:17:43 #
I like using the rail the best, though I have done limited focus stacking. I am not good enough with changing the focus in camera. The rail, as has been noted seems to be much more accurate. http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-1.html#625766
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