Tryin focus stacking for first time, and problems with Nikon's Focus Shifting
Nov 8, 2021 09:31:22 #
lrm
Loc: Sarasota, FL
Probably me not understanding, but having problms with Nikon's Focus shifting (Z7_2). When I try the old fashioned way of manually shifting focus in a series - works fine. When I try the automatic "Focus Shifting" the camera takes a series of shots --- when I review those shots on the camera and on the computer, each photo after the first one gets more and more out of focus (completely) instead of progressively moving the focus to the next spot, etc. Not one of the 7 or 8 shots is remotely usable, totally out of focus throughout the entire photo. I have followed directions from several blogs, so I think I have the camera set up properly. Is this normal and once stacked everything will be OK????
Nov 8, 2021 09:37:19 #
Nov 8, 2021 09:53:24 #
lrm wrote:
Probably me not understanding, but having problms ... (show quote)
Does it focus on a single shot where you intended to focus? A call to Nikon maybe?
Nov 8, 2021 10:01:34 #
lrm wrote:
Probably me not understanding, but having problms ... (show quote)
Maybe this....
Keep in mind, too, that the Z7 doesn’t reset to its original focus point when you’re done. So, if you take multiple focus stacks of the same subject, you need to reset focus back to the beginning each time. Otherwise, only your first focus stack will be sharp, and all the others will start out already focused too far away from your subject.
Taken from here
https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-z7/6
Nov 8, 2021 10:23:50 #
lrm wrote:
Probably me not understanding, but having problms ... (show quote)
First thing I would do is try stacking those 7 or 8 shots and see what the final image looks like.
Nov 8, 2021 10:30:48 #
Nov 8, 2021 10:32:24 #
lrm
Loc: Sarasota, FL
Good point. Even the first photo is not focused well, but not as bad as the rest.
Nov 8, 2021 10:52:08 #
I hope this makes sense. Does the camera focus "front to back" or "back to front"? If it prefers one starting position it might be trying to stack 'backwards'.
Nov 8, 2021 11:00:42 #
jeweler53 wrote:
I hope this makes sense. Does the camera focus "front to back" or "back to front"? If it prefers one staring position it might be trying to stack 'backwards'.
Exactly what I was thinking. Simple test: line up a series of objects in a row at a progressively further distance from the camera. Focus on the middle and then expose the sequence. that simple test should show you which way it’s stepping.
Nov 8, 2021 13:12:42 #
lrm
Loc: Sarasota, FL
Tryed it. No go. After the first photo, which is sharp, each successive photo gets blurrier and blurrier from back to front or front to back.
Nov 8, 2021 14:53:13 #
lrm wrote:
Probably me not understanding, but having problms ... (show quote)
Interesting problem.
I have tried the Focus Shift function on the Z6 and found it to work very well and respond as you would expect. Although it's only of any use with a static subject and your camera on a tripod.
My testing was with a 105 mm at around 1:1 (closest focusing), camera on tripod, and camera focused slightly forward of the nearest part of the subject. At this point it is absolutely imperative that you do not physically move the camera whilst you enter the menu and adjust the 'Focus Shift' settings as from this time no view of your subject is possible in EVF or Monitor until the sequence of shots is completed
Here are the settings I used for this specific scenario that may assist your trouble shooting, result was 20 frames covering approx 1" subject depth, each with the focus plane progressing towards the farthest point;
No of shots - 20
Focus stop width -10
Interval- 0"
First frame exp lock - On
Nov 8, 2021 16:00:16 #
Nov 8, 2021 16:49:34 #
Nov 8, 2021 17:04:59 #
Orphoto
Loc: Oregon
Um...i presume you know to start the sequence on the closest point you want in the range.
Nov 8, 2021 17:38:54 #
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