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D850 Stacking
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Jul 2, 2022 21:05:50   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
I finally started experimenting with it (macro).

What I learned:
D850 starts stacking, focusing from the closest focus point. If you want the best result, use your lens optimal aperture setting.
When doing macro, you must use a tripod.

The camera setting depend on the scene, so the stack focusing must be adjusted every.single.time.

Setup:
► Menu
► Photo shooting menu
► Photo shift shooting
 → Number of shots: 1~300. Front to distant. You need quite a bit in macro.
 → Focus Step width: (1~10) Distance change between shots. Low value create small steps, large value, well large steps. At issue is if the steps are too large, it will create issues in sharpness when stacking.
 → Interval between shots: In seconds. I usually set to 5 seconds, this reduces all vibration that may have been generated during the previous shot. If you have a great number of capture, time to fetch a coffee or take a quick nap, your choice.
 → Exposure smoothing: Exposure will adjust between each shot. Great outdoor, If indoor with controlled light sources it is useless. Note, the flash will not fire if selected.
 → Silent photography: it 'silence the shutter' during shooting. Use 'Mirror-up' instead.
Warning: Due to the number of shots flashes that depend on batteries will stop working quickly.


When ready to shoot, after focusing on the closest point from the camera
► Turn on live view
► Manually focus the first capture on the closet focus point. Use the magnifier to adjust/verify the focus.
► Turn off live view
► Set Mirror-up (Stability)
► Open menu
► Photo shooting menu
► Start

Stacking software you may want to use
Helicon Soft: Helicon Focus
Zerene Systems: Zerene Stacker
Adobe: Photoshop CC
(There is a complete list of stacking software in the post-processing forum.)

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Jul 2, 2022 22:57:52   #
bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri
 
I know nothing about this, but I find it interesting. So the camera automatically changes the focal point? If so, then it can only be done on certain cameras, correct? Will the camera “stack” the images by itself? Or must a computer program be used to create the final image? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks!

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Jul 2, 2022 23:03:24   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
bikinkawboy wrote:
I know nothing about this, but I find it interesting. So the camera automatically changes the focal point? Yes. If so, then it can only be done on certain cameras, correct? Will the camera “stack” the images by itself? No. Or must a computer program be used to create the final image? Yes. Sorry for all the questions. No problem. Thanks! Your welcome.

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Jul 2, 2022 23:31:38   #
kpmac Loc: Ragley, La
 
The D850 will change the focus as it takes the images. You set the parameters. You must use external software to do the stack.

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Jul 3, 2022 05:57:37   #
Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket
 
Flashes will not fire with silent on. Best use constant light when taking many pictures.

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Jul 3, 2022 06:20:44   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
Robertl594 wrote:
Flashes will not fire with silent on. Best use constant light when taking many pictures.


I think he means when Exposure Blending is chosen only. With macro being one of the focus stacking most uses (I think), it wouldn't make sense that you couldn't use a flash.

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Jul 3, 2022 06:21:34   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
Use Exposure Delay mode?

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Jul 3, 2022 08:41:35   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
tcthome wrote:
I think he means when Exposure Blending is chosen only. With macro being one of the focus stacking most uses (I think), it wouldn't make sense that you couldn't use a flash.


No. The camera does not do the stacking nor the blending.

Exposure smoothing allows the camera to control the exposure, ISO and Speed. This feature avoids issues when working outdoor using the stacking option. It makes sense as if you have the camera shooting for two, three minutes anything can happen during this period. This is useless in a studio or where the light is controled.

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Jul 3, 2022 08:42:35   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
tcthome wrote:
Use Exposure Delay mode?


A different beast that does not allow for stacking - for depth of field -. The mode purposes are entirely different.

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Jul 3, 2022 09:08:54   #
BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh
 
bikinkawboy wrote:
I know nothing about this, but I find it interesting. So the camera automatically changes the focal point? If so, then it can only be done on certain cameras, correct? Will the camera “stack” the images by itself? Or must a computer program be used to create the final image? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks!


The camera produces seperate images at each of the calculated fucus distances. Stacking is done by combing the seperate images in a post processing software package (like Photoshop), not in camera.

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Jul 3, 2022 10:50:04   #
bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri
 
Thanks for the explanations!

Reply
 
 
Jul 3, 2022 11:07:23   #
Hip Coyote
 
BurghByrd wrote:
The camera produces seperate images at each of the calculated fucus distances. Stacking is done by combing the seperate images in a post processing software package (like Photoshop), not in camera.


To do that one needs an Olympus. 😀

Reply
Jul 3, 2022 12:34:43   #
cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD
 
Rongnongno wrote:
I finally started experimenting with it (macro).

What I learned:
D850 starts stacking, focusing from the closest focus point. If you want the best result, use your lens optimal aperture setting.
When doing macro, you must use a tripod.

The camera setting depend on the scene, so the stack focusing must be adjusted every.single.time.

Setup:
► Menu
► Photo shooting menu
► Photo shift shooting
 → Number of shots: 1~300. Front to distant. You need quite a bit in macro.
 → Focus Step width: (1~10) Distance change between shots. Low value create small steps, large value, well large steps. At issue is if the steps are too large, it will create issues in sharpness when stacking.
 → Interval between shots: In seconds. I usually set to 5 seconds, this reduces all vibration that may have been generated during the previous shot. If you have a great number of capture, time to fetch a coffee or take a quick nap, your choice.
 → Exposure smoothing: Exposure will adjust between each shot. Great outdoor, If indoor with controlled light sources it is useless. Note, the flash will not fire if selected.
 → Silent photography: it 'silence the shutter' during shooting. Use 'Mirror-up' instead.
Warning: Due to the number of shots flashes that depend on batteries will stop working quickly.


When ready to shoot, after focusing on the closest point from the camera
► Turn on live view
► Manually focus the first capture on the closet focus point. Use the magnifier to adjust/verify the focus.
► Turn off live view
► Set Mirror-up (Stability)
► Open menu
► Photo shooting menu
► Start

Stacking software you may want to use
Helicon Soft: Helicon Focus
Zerene Systems: Zerene Stacker
Adobe: Photoshop CC
(There is a complete list of stacking software in the post-processing forum.)
I finally started experimenting with it (macro). b... (show quote)


Why turn off Live View, Ron? When I select Menu > Focus Shift, doesn't it just go to mirror up shooting?

Reply
Jul 3, 2022 14:18:39   #
photoman43
 
Here is what Nikon says about focus stacking (focus shift shooting) with a D850:

https://nps.nikonimaging.com/technical_solutions/d850_tips/useful/focus_stacking/

For it to work on your D850 you have to select it (Photo Shooting Menu) and its various settings as explained above.

I do a lot of macro with my D850 and do it the old fashioned way w/o using focus shift shooting.

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Jul 3, 2022 15:01:50   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
cbtsam wrote:
Why turn off Live View, Ron? When I select Menu > Focus Shift, doesn't it just go to mirror up shooting?

Because the camera release the mirror first.

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