Verryl

I used my new Panasonic Lumix G9 camera for these photos. The problem with taking pictures of the Wyoming Division HO layout is that it is so darn big (50x78 feet) that it is impossible for any single exposure to capture the whole view of one of the long benches (up to 55 feet long) or of all of the benches together and have the whole thing in sharp focus. At a high f stop setting, say f/22, acceptable focus can be achieved, but only if there is enough light. The tiny aperture of f/22 requires a very bright illumination of the scene and/or a lot of illumination for the film or CCD sensor to record a well exposed scene). One solution is to take multiple exposures set at various focus points from near to far from the camera, then to use a computer with special software to assemble the in-focus parts of each exposure into a final photo. There are a few commercial programs to do this, and they are easy to use and work well. BUT it is difficult 1) to adjust the focus to progressively further and further points, because the lens adjustment required is tiny, and this in turn requires a tripod to hold the camera steady while the photographer adjusts the focus and then clicks the shutter, and 2) to use a tripod with operators moving around. Furthermore, #1 above practically requires you manipulate the focusing screen on a digital camera to show each of the many focusing points enlarged, and, if using a DSLR camera, to use one that allows the mirror to pop up and then inserts a time pause of 1+ seconds between the mirror movement and the shutter firing, so that vibration due to the mirror movement can damp out.

I have taken such series of exposures and "stacked" them with the Helicon program, and I had good results, but I could have gotten better results with more closely focus spaced exposures. Manually adjusting a lens the tiny amounts such a finer series would take is impractical. But the Lumix G9 takes a movie of several exposures at 30 frames per second while the focus shifts. Then that "stack" of images (the "stack" of video frames) can be automatically assembled in camera into a single image with the click of 4 buttons (It is actually easier to touch the rear touch screen of the camera rather use the four "buttons").

All photos were taken at a moderate aperture of f/8 and ISO 1600. 1600 is very high, but the G9 is new with the latest detector, and I do not find it "noisy" (spurious spots randomly recorded). All exposures were hand held (both camera and lens have 5 axis image stabilization, so a tripod was not in the way of guest modelers operating. Post processing was slight and done with Lumicon 2018.

The yellow structure is a viewing mezzanine that spans the 75 foot length of the building and is suspended from girders arching over the 50 foot building width, so there are no posts. The Dispatcher also sits up there.

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Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Very nice. You have a great layout. I never had the time for model railroading. Now I have the time. I don't.have the room.

kmpankopf Loc: Mid-Michigan; SW Pennsylvania

I am a big fan of focus stacking. Coincidentally, most of my experience is with model railroading as well, but with closeups. I use the Helicon software as well. I use Remote (tethered wirelessly to tablet) and Focus to do the heavy lifting. Stuff works great.
I appreciate from what you say the camera does all the work. Not to be argumentative, but I like to do the stacking work myself. Helps me understand the process better. I like remote to take care of the focus points. Probably not as fast as your set up.
I have not done long shots like what you are showing, but I usually go for a shallower DOF on the close ups.
Very nice shots, enjoyed your explanation of your camera's ability.

Most of the shots are focused stacked, and one where the stacking saved the project when the train was moved during the process: https://kurtpankopfphotography.blogspot.com/search/label/DMRRC

krashdragon

Read some of your blogs. Very interesting.
I'm not organized enuf to do all the comparison and editing stuff, but I do appreciate your hard work
And tbe work others on this sie do. Always something new and interesting to learn.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Wow, that is the biggest train layout I’ve ever seen. I wonder if there is a Guinness world record.

Verryl

There are larger layouts that I know of, but they are commercial. I know of no other privately owned this large in HO. But I sure could be wrong.

We have had operating sessions with as many as 55 operators. This was a 2 day session.

Verryl

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good set.

sailwiz Loc: Santee, CA

I've used Helicon for years. Love it and love your HO layout. My main use for stacking has been model railroading as well.

bnsf

This is the Worlds Greatest Hobby.

sailwiz Loc: Santee, CA

kmpankopf Loc: Mid-Michigan; SW Pennsylvania

Thanks!

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

There is a private layout in Riverside, CA called the R&F Railroad that my photo class visited once. They have a website. It fills the owner's back yard and a good part of the house.