With all the talk on Focus stacking I promised Brett that I would post this as an example of what can be achieved and the control you can achieve over the DoF.
Here I chose to process the RAW in Adobe Camera Raw simply because it allows you to simply batch the processing and cropping of the images into a separate folder renaming the files to something like stack 001 etc.
When looking at this image in the field I decided that I was not going to get the DoF I wanted so opened the aperture to 5.6, working out that I would be able to achieve my aim with 4 exposures using manual mode so that everything remains the same (working as quickly as possible in case the light changed), here I used Live view to adjust focus using a Manfrotto focus rail rather than refocusing the lens. using the rail you can work out exactly how much of a twist of the knob will give the number of exposures needed at equal focus points.
The converted RAWS are then fed into CombineZP (this is the latest verion BTW) by choosing New and stacked by choosing 'Do Stack@ from the 'Macro menu' and finally after a while whilst the program does its complicated math etc, saving the frame for any further work such as cloning etc of any artifacts.
Not a great shot, but a good example of what you can achieve particularly with slightly larger objects, these programs used to struggle here as they were designed for Photomicroscopy but the latest versions really shine in close up and macro photography.
HTH
Phil
Posted by John Robinson on October 21, 2008 at 5:30 AM
Brilliant ! I must have a play at this.
Is CombineZP the free one ?
Cheers
John
Posted by Rene de Heer on October 21, 2008 at 5:30 AM
Interesting concept and a very autuumny image.
Rene de Heer
Posted by Brett Lewis on October 21, 2008 at 6:34 AM
Thanks Phil, Much appreciated and a nice subject for this time of year, I look forward to having a go with the Agarics I took over the weekend to see what i can come up with.. Thanks for taking the time and hope to catch up soon.
Brett
Posted by David Kjaer on October 21, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Hi Phil
A fine example of how this program works - you have got me interested!
I must point out that I use Helicon Focus (the pro version) just about each and every day in my full time employment, the licence for the pro version is quite expensive, and even as beta testers for the program we now have to pay full whack, I believe the cheaper Lite version has limited functionality but is still a good option, but does not include the retouching options that the pro version supports, as Rich points out though Helicon is faster to render the stacked image than CombineZM/P.
However for someone who just wants to dabble without any outlay the CombineZM/P route is a good one (which is why I used it here)...
Discussion
8 repliesISO400, 1/60th @ f5.6 for all 4 images.
ACR 4.6, CombineZP, resize & sharpen CS3.
Hi,
With all the talk on Focus stacking I promised Brett that I would post this as an example of what can be achieved and the control you can achieve over the DoF.
Here I chose to process the RAW in Adobe Camera Raw simply because it allows you to simply batch the processing and cropping of the images into a separate folder renaming the files to something like stack 001 etc.
When looking at this image in the field I decided that I was not going to get the DoF I wanted so opened the aperture to 5.6, working out that I would be able to achieve my aim with 4 exposures using manual mode so that everything remains the same (working as quickly as possible in case the light changed), here I used Live view to adjust focus using a Manfrotto focus rail rather than refocusing the lens. using the rail you can work out exactly how much of a twist of the knob will give the number of exposures needed at equal focus points.
The converted RAWS are then fed into CombineZP (this is the latest verion BTW) by choosing New and stacked by choosing 'Do Stack@ from the 'Macro menu' and finally after a while whilst the program does its complicated math etc, saving the frame for any further work such as cloning etc of any artifacts.
Not a great shot, but a good example of what you can achieve particularly with slightly larger objects, these programs used to struggle here as they were designed for Photomicroscopy but the latest versions really shine in close up and macro photography.
HTH
Phil
Is CombineZP the free one ?
Cheers
John
Rene de Heer
Brett
A fine example of how this program works - you have got me interested!
David
I have tried it once, months ago,
so much to do, so few time
Bertl
Matt
I must point out that I use Helicon Focus (the pro version) just about each and every day in my full time employment, the licence for the pro version is quite expensive, and even as beta testers for the program we now have to pay full whack, I believe the cheaper Lite version has limited functionality but is still a good option, but does not include the retouching options that the pro version supports, as Rich points out though Helicon is faster to render the stacked image than CombineZM/P.
However for someone who just wants to dabble without any outlay the CombineZM/P route is a good one (which is why I used it here)...
All the best....
Phil