Focus Stacking: I have used the focus stacking process in Photoshop an my preference is Zerene Stacking. I now have ON1 which also uses a photo stacking process. Does anyone have an...

drdale

I have used the focus stacking process in Photoshop an my preference is Zerene Stacking. I now have ON1 which also uses a photo stacking process. Does anyone have an opinion if ON1 does as good a job as Zerene?

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

drdale wrote:

I have used the focus stacking process in Photoshop an my preference is Zerene Stacking. I now have ON1 which also uses a photo stacking process. Does anyone have an opinion if ON1 does as good a job as Zerene?

Helicon is the best, followed by Zerene and Photoshop. I think On1 is almost ready for prime time, but I have not tried last week's release yet. They said there were some improvements made to the stacking routine.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Here's an idea: since you have both, why don’t you try On1 and compare it to Zerene? Photo editing preferences and satisfaction tend to be a very subjective personal thing, so why rely on a plethora of opinions from others? Drdale, there is NO single editing app, or camera, or lens, or tripod, or camera bag, or anything else that is perfect in every respect. Repeated trials are the best way to determine what works for you. Seeking some imagined ‘holy grail’ is just a waste of time.

Steve DeMott Loc: St. Louis, Missouri (Oakville area)

rjaywallace wrote:

Here's an idea: since you have both, why don’t you... (show quote)

I would like to add.... After your comparison tell us which one you think is better and why.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Gene51 wrote:

Helicon is the best, followed by Zerene and Photoshop. I think On1 is almost ready for prime time, but I have not tried last week's release yet. They said there were some improvements made to the stacking routine.

Drdale, it would be great to see if a free trial is available for Helicon, Gene51’s recommendation. Gene51 is a well-established contributor to UHH and frequently comes up with good suggestions and observations.

And Steve DeMott’s thoughtful idea is well worth considering. Perhaps, in the end, you can help all of us learn something new. How great would that be?

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

rjaywallace wrote:

Drdale, it would be great to see if a free trial is available for Helicon, Gene51’s recommendation. Gene51 is a well-established contributor to UHH and frequently comes up with good suggestions and observations.

And Steve DeMott’s thoughtful idea is well worth considering. Perhaps, in the end, you can help all of us learn something new. How great would that be?

https://www.heliconsoft.com/software-downloads/

Will get you a free, fully functional 30 trial.

Dik

Helicon has an excellent Dust Map feature that eliminates sensor dust drains in stacked images.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

drdale wrote:

I have used the focus stacking process in Photoshop an my preference is Zerene Stacking. I now have ON1 which also uses a photo stacking process. Does anyone have an opinion if ON1 does as good a job as Zerene?

What do you think? It's your choice.

cactuspic Loc: Dallas, TX

I agree with Steve. You have both programs.

I have been focus stacking with Helicon since May of 2005 though I tend to use Zerene more often now. For me, the editing functions of Zerene are key but that is dependent in large part on my subject matter and work flow. Each program has different strengths and weaknesses. I've told you what works best for me and Gene has told you what works for him, but the real question is what works best for you. I wish I could help you about the OnOne module, which is the guts of your question. I have a hard time believing that in it's first iteration it could rival either Zerene or Helicon, both of which are amazingly powerful programs. But I would love to be surprised. I guess I will have to eventually break down because the capability entire program is intriguing, but my curiosity has not gotten the better of my native cheapness...yet.

One good thing about both Helicon and Zerene is that they are relatively easy to operate in their basic modes, Simple comparisons quick and easy. Essentially, imput the images, and let it rip using each of the alternative processing methods. Best news yet, both Helicon and Zerene have free 30 days trial periods.

As you have the OnOne and used Zerene previously, how does it compare, if you use onOne to process a one of your previously processed stacks?

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I'm a software junkie and I have several focus stacking software programs: Zerene, Helicon, PhotoShop CC 2017, Affinity Photo, Capture One and CombineZP. I use a Wemacro automated rail and I assemble on average 300 shots per session of my subjects so there is quite a bit of aligning, sizing and processing going on under the hood.

I have found that Zerene gives me the best results using the PMAX method of processing. By best results, I mean an output file that has the least amount of artifacts or ghosts and requires less cleanup in post processing. The Zerene PMAX method does affect the color so it will take adjustments in post to bring them back to their true values.

Robertven Loc: Fort Worth

In doing product photography in studio, I have Stackshot automated stacking hardware and use Zerene software because it integrates with the Stackshot rail. Once the shots are taken, I load them into Helicon Focus for stacking. This works very well for me. I have not tried using Zerene for the actual stacking process. I don't know why so I guess I'll have to try it. Might save a step or two.

Dik

Helicon Remote runs StackShot rail too.

Robertven wrote:

In doing product photography in studio, I have Stackshot automated stacking hardware and use Zerene software because it integrates with the Stackshot rail. Once the shots are taken, I load them into Helicon Focus for stacking. This works very well for me. I have not tried using Zerene for the actual stacking process. I don't know why so I guess I'll have to try it. Might save a step or two.

Robertven Loc: Fort Worth

Dik wrote:

Helicon Remote runs StackShot rail too.

Thanks for that info. I'll try it.

Dik

Are you using HF's dust mapping feature?
I find it to be a big time & effort saver.

Robertven wrote:

Thanks for that info. I'll try it.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

drdale wrote:

I have used the focus stacking process in Photoshop an my preference is Zerene Stacking. I now have ON1 which also uses a photo stacking process. Does anyone have an opinion if ON1 does as good a job as Zerene?

I do not know, I do know Zerene and it is a good program, but for stacking I really prefer PS, Zerene has been sitting on my computer unused for several years now!