Focus-stacking
Jan 26, 2019 10:52:22 #
It is my understanding that automatic focus-stacking requires an AF-S lens and, that an AF only lens will not work. Does anyone know whether the Tameron 90mm f2.8 macro will work for focus-stacking? Is anyone aware of a list of Nikon-compatible lenses that will work for macro focus-stacking?
Jan 26, 2019 11:07:36 #
If you manually focus the lens, creating a variety of focal points, and then use stacking software on the collection of images, it seems to me that any lens should work.
Jan 26, 2019 11:10:51 #
gweklund wrote:
It is my understanding that automatic focus-stacking requires an AF-S lens and, that an AF only lens will not work. Does anyone know whether the Tameron 90mm f2.8 macro will work for focus-stacking? Is anyone aware of a list of Nikon-compatible lenses that will work for macro focus-stacking?
isn't there a section on stacking? might try there, several stackers post in the macro section too
Jan 26, 2019 11:14:26 #
gweklund wrote:
It is my understanding that automatic focus-stacking requires an AF-S lens and, that an AF only lens will not work. Does anyone know whether the Tameron 90mm f2.8 macro will work for focus-stacking? Is anyone aware of a list of Nikon-compatible lenses that will work for macro focus-stacking?
I'm not sure what an "AF-S" lens is, but I use my Tamron 90 macro all the time for focus stacking, both hand held and on a tripod. It's possible to focus stack using either manual or auto focusing depending on just what and how you are stacking. It's a great lens, btw, and it comes in Nikon mount (I'm using a Canon FF camera).
Jan 27, 2019 05:38:50 #
Read the relevant information about stacking methodologies and lenses to use here: http://extreme-macro.co.uk/
Jan 27, 2019 07:19:09 #
Does your Tamron 90 macro have a focus motor in the lens. That's what AF-S is referring to. If your lens has no focus motor then it will not do automatic in camera stacks.
Jan 27, 2019 08:08:22 #
gweklund wrote:
It is my understanding that automatic focus-stacking requires an AF-S lens and, that an AF only lens will not work. Does anyone know whether the Tameron 90mm f2.8 macro will work for focus-stacking? Is anyone aware of a list of Nikon-compatible lenses that will work for macro focus-stacking?
The Tamron 90mm 2.8 works well for focus stacking fitted to the D850, I use mine on my D850 for this work all the time.
Micki
Jan 27, 2019 09:04:19 #
Larryshuman wrote:
Does your Tamron 90 macro have a focus motor in the lens. That's what AF-S is referring to. If your lens has no focus motor then it will not do automatic in camera stacks.
Thanks. Yes, the lens has a focus motor. I don't think Canon cameras (at least mine) have focus motors in the camera. It works great for anything from macro stacks to landscape stacks.
Jan 27, 2019 09:18:19 #
All my lens work On1 requires at least 3 photos. Just select them and press the focus button.
Jan 27, 2019 09:32:22 #
kenabr
Loc: S.E.Wisconsin
You can use any lens but put it on a tripod and focus manually. I focus on the closest part of the image then move in slightly to the next level and so forth. I can't see how you could hand hold or use auto focus
Jan 27, 2019 09:41:35 #
cactuspic
Loc: Dallas, TX
I was curious about your question so I hit the internet. Nikon makes two type of bodies: one with a motor that focuses the lens and one without. If your Nikon body has a lens focusing motor, then I assume that you can stack automatically with any lens that focus automatically with that camera. If your Nikon body lacks a focusing motor, you will need a lens with an internal focusing motor. Nikon designates lenses with internal focusing as either AF-S or AF-P depending on the type of focusing motor in the lens. Either will work. I believe third party lenses with motors will also work. In short there has to be a motor driving the focus. If it’s not in the Nikon body, it will have to be in the lens.
Jan 27, 2019 10:46:19 #
What does "automatic focus sacking" related to a lens selection mean exactly? If you take several shots of most any subject with your camera on a tripod while slightly changing the focal length of each shot you can stack images from pretty much any lens using post processing software. I know the Nikon D850 is capable of in-camera focus stacking but I am not aware of any other camera bodies available that can do it.
Jan 27, 2019 10:56:41 #
saxman71 wrote:
What does "automatic focus sacking" related to a lens selection mean exactly? If you take several shots of most any subject with your camera on a tripod while slightly changing the focal length of each shot you can stack images from pretty much any lens using post processing software. I know the Nikon D850 is capable of in-camera focus stacking but I am not aware of any other camera bodies available that can do it.
I think there are numerous Sony and Panasonic type camera that have done this for quite some time.
Jan 27, 2019 10:57:14 #
cactuspic
Loc: Dallas, TX
saxman71 wrote:
What does "automatic focus sacking" related to a lens selection mean exactly? If you take several shots of most any subject with your camera on a tripod while slightly changing the focal length of each shot you can stack images from pretty much any lens using post processing software. I know the Nikon D850 is capable of in-camera focus stacking but I am not aware of any other camera bodies available that can do it.
Automated focus stacking means that a device such as a camera, tethered computer, CamRanger, etc. is controlling the advancement of focus, instead of your fingers manually turning the focus ring.
Although I don’t own one, I understand Olympus also has cameras that automate focus stacking.
With regard to Nikon, they make cameras that have a focusing motor and cameras without a focusing motor. If the body has a focus motor, then no problem. If it lacks a focusing motor, the lens itself must have a motor in order to automatically focus, a prerequisite of automated focus stacking. That is why lens selection may matter with a Nikon.
Jan 27, 2019 11:07:11 #
kenabr wrote:
You can use any lens but put it on a tripod and focus manually. I focus on the closest part of the image then move in slightly to the next level and so forth. I can't see how you could hand hold or use auto focus
You are very well able to hand hold provided you brace yourself so camera movement is minimal. Most software, such as Zerene, Helicon, Photoshop, etc. can easily align the images provided the movement is not excessive. I've posted images of hand held focus stacks on UHH. I do it by bracing myself and shooting in continuous mode while slowly turning the focus ring. Works well providing the shutter speed is fairly fast. It probably wouldn't work for extreme macro stacks but does work well for close ups.
Auto focus stacking works fine with scenics where usually no more than three images are needed and you are able to selectively move the focus point. I'm lucky enough to have a touch sensitive articulated screen which makes this very easy to do.
I love focus stacking but it does increase the camera's shutter count very rapidly.
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