cactuspic Loc: Dallas, TX

I stack in both the field and studio using a CamRanger (though I sometimes stack manually by turning the focus ring because I enjoy it). I shoot using a tripod and do not stack free hand. I was curious about the Helicon Tube and whether it provided any practical benefit over using the CamRanger. Are there any Hogs that have used both and have an opinion as to their relative merits?

Irwin

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

It might be hard to find someone who has used both. But the CamRanger is fairly different in that it is a broadly featured device that lets you control a camera wirelessly through an iPhone or iPad. So it not only can do focus bracketing (for stacking), but it can be used to remotely control focus and all other settings to take single frame pictures, and it can be used to take pictures over timed intervals. Helicon makes another product that is more like the CamRanger (see below).

Here I make some comparisons that I have come across. The CamRanger device is attached to the camera body by a usb cord, and it is hung on the camera or tripod. It communicates to the iOS device by a WiFi connection. It is compact and is clearly very portable in the field. The Helicon tube is like a small extension tube on the camera. Obviously that is very portable, although one should note that to mount and unmount it one must detach the lens.
For focus bracketing in the CamRanger, you set the beginning and end focal points by touching the screen, and then start taking pictures. It calculates an optimal amount to change the focus for each picture at your settings. For the Helicon tube, as I am learning, its pre-set focus steps are very small and you will probably want to calibrate it at home and save the settings that will let you get thru a stack with fewer pictures. For the Helicon tube you don't set the beginning and end of the stack but just 'plow through' from a beginning until you figure you are at the end.
I am certainly less familiar with the CamRanger (only read some things and watched some demos online). When going thru a stack, does it let you set an automatic "pause" period between pictures? This would be to let the camera shake settle down between. The Helicon tube does not do that, excepting that you can of course take single pictures, and on your own count off some seconds before you press the remote shutter button for the next picture.
CamRanger supports a wider range of camera models. For the Helicon tube its just Canon and Nikon.

Helicon makes another product called Helicon Remote which is much more like the CamRanger. The capabilities that I see seem very much the same as I described above for the CamRanger, and it is operates much the same for focus bracketing. Helicon Remote supports both Android and iOS devices for remote control. But again, supported cameras are only Canon and Nikon.

cactuspic Loc: Dallas, TX

Thanks Mark. In answer to your question, CamRanger does allow you to set a settling time in between shots, which is a feature I really like. It will also drive my Stackshot macro rail for high magnification work or work with lenses that do not have a focusing mechanism, although I think I needed to purchase an additional piece of equipment to make the connection.

I was just curious about the Helicon Tube since I had seen several recent posts. From my brief investigation on the net and your statements, it doesn't seem to offer an significant capability or convenience over what I already have. (A GAS attack successfully repelled?) I love my CamRanger and have stacked with it on a daily basis for several years. With photo gear so expensive and time so dear, it's nice to hear from people who have actually used the tool. Thanks

Irwin