Focus-stacking
Jan 27, 2019 12:27:32 #
Larryshuman wrote:
Does your Tamron 90 macro have a focus motor in the lens. That's what AF-S is referring to. If your lens has no focus motor then it will not do automatic in camera stacks.
AF-S is Nikon’s designation for a lens that has an onboard “silent wave motor” to distinguish from the AF lenses that rely on the focus motor drive built into the camera bodies. D3xxx and D5xxx camera bodies DO NOT have a focus motor and are not able to use AF lenses unless focussed manually. PS - the D suffix was added when the electronics were upgraded to communicate focus distance data to a compatible speedlight.
Jan 27, 2019 13:12:11 #
gweklund wrote:
It is my understanding that automatic focus-stacking requires an AF-S lens and, that an AF only lens will not work. Does anyone know whether the Tameron 90mm f2.8 macro will work for focus-stacking? Is anyone aware of a list of Nikon-compatible lenses that will work for macro focus-stacking?
You can focus stack with any lens or camera. Auto stacking requires focus motor. Stacking is more about technique than equipment. You can read this article on my site for more info. There are other articles that cover the FB stacking tube which automates the process. It is nice if you can use a tripod, but I capture images that are stacked while in the field. This requires me to hand-hold the camera.
http://davidbozsik.wixsite.com/naturescamera/outdoor-photography-tips/tag/Image-Stacking
Jan 27, 2019 13:28:40 #
Macro photography is my passion and I focus stack on a regular basis and I use a Wemacro digitally controlled programmable focus rail. Yes, a manual lens works great for focus stacking and many of my sessions are 300 or more shots per subject that I shoot.
I suspect that if you are doing "in camera" focus stacking then the camera's firmware takes over and shoots a series of shots at different focus depths because the camera is held firmly in position in its distance and the distance of the subject and the camera sensor does not change. That's where autofocus would be required.
I suspect that if you are doing "in camera" focus stacking then the camera's firmware takes over and shoots a series of shots at different focus depths because the camera is held firmly in position in its distance and the distance of the subject and the camera sensor does not change. That's where autofocus would be required.
Jan 27, 2019 14:05:26 #
Any camera and any lens should work if you are able to select the focus points you want and use either manual or auto focus. The Nikon D850 does NOT focus stack in the camera. It will automatically shift the focus point from close to infinity based on a few settings you make in the camera. Then you must stack the images in PS or other software.
Jan 27, 2019 15:35:52 #
jackm1943 wrote:
Thanks. Yes, the lens has a focus motor. I don't think Canon cameras (at least mine) have focus motors in the camera. It works great for anything from macro stacks to landscape stacks.
Every EOS lens made has a motor in it. No EOS camera has a motor in it for focus.
You are right.
Jan 27, 2019 18:41:57 #
Virtually all recent Tamron lenses and also most other third party lenses have focus motors and are therefore AF-S. Most third party lenses need focus motors so that they can work with Canon mounts and all newer Nikon cameras, some of whom don't have internal focus motors.
Automated stacking of any kind will probably require a lens focus motor. Reference to the camera manual should indicate whether your model has focus bracketing as a choice.
Good luck with this art form.
Automated stacking of any kind will probably require a lens focus motor. Reference to the camera manual should indicate whether your model has focus bracketing as a choice.
Good luck with this art form.
Jan 27, 2019 18:59:12 #
Thank you all for your responses. I have put the Tameron to the test with beautiful results.
Jan 27, 2019 20:32:11 #
I thought the attached article might be of interest for those using a Nikon D850 for stacking. I followed the instructions and had some good results.
Jan 27, 2019 21:00:00 #
Any macro lens will work. However, when manually changing the focus you will undoubtedly move the camera making it very difficult.
Jan 27, 2019 22:05:07 #
JeffDavidson wrote:
Any macro lens will work. However, when manually changing the focus you will undoubtedly move the camera making it very difficult.
Hi Jeff. With most of the programs used for focus stacking (Zerene, Helicon, and Photoshop), they will easily align images that have some moderate camera movement. There are several UHH'rs, including myself, who frequently do hand held focus stacks. Provided the camera movement is not severe, the programs do a good job of aligning the images. I wouldn't recommend that method for extreme micro work, but it can work fine for close ups.
Jan 27, 2019 23:17:49 #
gweklund wrote:
It is my understanding that automatic focus-stacking requires an AF-S lens and, that an AF only lens will not work. Does anyone know whether the Tameron 90mm f2.8 macro will work for focus-stacking? Is anyone aware of a list of Nikon-compatible lenses that will work for macro focus-stacking?
Hi Bill, I post some images taken with the D850 and the TAMRON SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1: 1 VC USD(Model F017), using Photo Stacking later in the day.
Jan 28, 2019 00:10:40 #
jackm1943 wrote:
You are very well able to hand hold provided you b... (show quote)
Interesting question about camera shutter. I have Olympus. And I have Sony. If you use mechanical shutter, the of course you would affect shutter count.
Sony, when using silent shutter, does not count shutter actuations. You can stack all day, and not affect the shutter count.
Olympus, with its built in stacking, uses silent shutter. But I find that the shutter count still increments making it look like the camera has a large number of shots. But these are silent shutter. Don't know why Olympus decided to do it this way.
Jan 28, 2019 00:17:41 #
IDguy
Loc: Idaho
lesdmd wrote:
If you manually focus the lens, creating a variety of focal points, and then use stacking software on the collection of images, it seems to me that any lens should work.
New cameras, such as my Nikon Z6, automate the process. It certainly requires AF in the lens and, in the case of the Zs, that means AF-S or AF-P, or the new Z lenses.
Jan 28, 2019 00:22:51 #
IDguy
Loc: Idaho
jackm1943 wrote:
I think there are numerous Sony and Panasonic type camera that have done this for quite some time.
The Nikon Z cameras have it too.
Jan 28, 2019 02:44:44 #
Here are a couple of handheld stacks. As one person mentioned, close-ups are easier with handheld than macro and higher magnifications stacks.
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