Focus Stacking....
Mar 27, 2012 15:15:36 #
I read a little about this technique so I thought I'd give it a try with a little Macro photography. I took a series of 18 shots, focusing on the nearest stamen (1st shot below) and successively turning the focus ring a little bit until on the last shot I was focusing on the farthest cavity of the flower (2nd shot below). I then used a trial version of a downloadable software package called "Zerene Stacker" (there are a bunch of others out there) and had the software stack all 18 images. (Last shot below). I think the result came pretty cool and enables a much wider depth of field than normally available with Macro Photos. The software was extremely easy to use, basically the click of a button. I have to try more of this. There are stacking "sleds" you can buy to move the camera incrementally rather than turning the focus ring. I guess if you are a purist and have extra money, it would be worth it. This simple approach worked fine for me for now.
Always open to constructive criticisms and suggestions...... :)
Always open to constructive criticisms and suggestions...... :)
Mar 27, 2012 16:03:53 #
Looks like you have the process down pretty well. It's fun to and the results really are fantastic when deep DOF really enhances the subject. :thumbup:
Mar 27, 2012 16:22:31 #
Mar 27, 2012 16:28:06 #
Very nice stacking work.
Silly me I never thought of cranking the focus ring, always thought you had to move the camera.
Very good , thank you.
Silly me I never thought of cranking the focus ring, always thought you had to move the camera.
Very good , thank you.
Mar 27, 2012 16:30:25 #
Another example. This can get interesting :-)
The software is really amazing....
The software is really amazing....
Closest Focus Point
Furthest (or is it farthest) Focus Point
Combo of about 11 shots.
Mar 27, 2012 23:39:32 #
That turned out nice. Zerene Stacker is a fun program to play around with and like you said, it is easy to use.
Mar 27, 2012 23:50:08 #
Wow, these are very nice. Now I have something new to try and gotta get a new lense.
Mar 28, 2012 00:01:31 #
Mar 28, 2012 00:11:55 #
vciro wrote:
Your results are "Not too shabby!"Always open to constructive criticisms and suggestions.
Next time you post a "final" version, please check the box labeled "(store original)", so that we can enlarge to view details.
Questions:
What lens?
What aperture?
Mar 28, 2012 07:07:47 #
Sorry! I never even noticed the "store original" boxes.
All shots were taken on a tripod as follows:
-Canon Rebel Xsi 450D
-Canon EFS 60mm, 2.8 Macro Lens (I love this lens!)
-Remote Canon Flash units with diffusers, one to the high right (1/2 power) and other other to the left (1/32 power) using Cactus V5 wireless remotes.
- F2.8 at 1/30 sec.
- Black foam board as a backdrop
- Cropped using Paint Shop Pro X4
All shots were taken on a tripod as follows:
-Canon Rebel Xsi 450D
-Canon EFS 60mm, 2.8 Macro Lens (I love this lens!)
-Remote Canon Flash units with diffusers, one to the high right (1/2 power) and other other to the left (1/32 power) using Cactus V5 wireless remotes.
- F2.8 at 1/30 sec.
- Black foam board as a backdrop
- Cropped using Paint Shop Pro X4
Mar 28, 2012 13:19:11 #
silver
Loc: Santa Monica Ca.
vciro wrote:
I read a little about this technique so I thought ... (show quote)
The focusing "sleds" are called focusing rails. A good one is the Novoflex Castel L. This rail sells for about $300.00 give or take a few dollars but it can be found on Ebay for as little as $125.00. This is the rail that I use, it is very solid and compact. Dont buy a cheap rail, they are not worth it. The correct way to do stacking is to move the camera rather then change the focusing because changing the focusing changes the perspective and moving the camera does not. There are some interesting videos on the subject on youtube.
Mar 28, 2012 13:52:06 #
vciro wrote:
I read a little about this technique so I thought ... (show quote)
Outstanding results. This is something I want to try when I have time.
Mar 28, 2012 14:57:21 #
Mar 28, 2012 16:28:50 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
Questions: What lens? What aperture?
vciro wrote:
May I suggest that you consider using the "sweet spot" aperture of best resolution. This is usually mid-range. Research discovered the attached chart, which suggest f/5.6 is the aperture of highest resolution for your macro lens. This will double your shutter duration, but will maximize your resolution.Canon EFS 60mm, 2.8 Macro Lens
F2.8 at 1/30 sec.
F2.8 at 1/30 sec.
Mar 28, 2012 17:09:36 #
docrob
Loc: Durango, Colorado
vciro wrote:
Another example. This can get interesting :-)
The software is really amazing....
The software is really amazing....
with this kind of power available a challenge now becomes finding and working with more favorable lighting conditions - and then compositional elements will start to be more critical.......keep playing i am fascinated too!
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