Macro First Photo Stacked Macro

Ray Hines · 06-06-2015, 12:41 PM

With my new Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 lens, and a new, workable, rail I've had the chance to try some stacking shots. This is my first try, tabletop, indoor and flash lit.

It's not as good as it could have been, mainly due to the fact my rail hit the table before I'd got all the shots

Full details can be had by clicking the image, link to Flickr.

Any comments, hints, tips and offers of payment always appreciated.

Last edited by Ray Hines; 06-07-2015 at 08:03 AM.

Dewman · 06-06-2015, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by Ray Hines

With my new Tamron f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 lens, and a new, workable, rail I've had the chance to try some stacking shots. This is my first try, tabletop, indoor and flash lit.

It's not as good as it could have been, mainly due to the fact my rail hit the table before I'd got all the shots

Full details can be had by clicking the image, link to Flickr.

Any comments, hints, tips and offers of payment always appreciated.

I'm going to show my complete ignorance about this subject and ask: What is the object of "image stacking"? When I look at the accompanying image, I don't see anything of any particular significance. Is there something I should be looking for?

Ray Hines · 06-06-2015, 01:12 PM

Hi Dewman, it's a lot to do with DoF mate. Here's a link to help you out, he can explain it better than I can. An Introduction to Focus Stacking - Digital Photography School

It's also very popular for star trail photography.

Ray

stevebrot · 06-06-2015, 03:21 PM

Originally posted by Dewman

When I look at the accompanying image, I don't see anything of any particular significance.

Originally posted by Ray Hines

Hi Dewman, it's a lot to do with DoF mate.

The subject is an iris petal. With normal technique even at f/32, the full range (near to far) would not be in focus and there would be a sharpness penalty due to diffraction. One can do minor miracles using focus stacking.

Steve

Dewman · 06-06-2015, 04:42 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

The subject is an iris petal. With normal technique even at f/32, the full range (near to far) would not be in focus and there would be a sharpness penalty due to diffraction. One can do minor miracles using focus stacking.

Steve

Ah so. Now I understand. Makes perfect sense. Thanks for enlightening me, fellas. It sounds like something I might be interested in, especially if you can predetermine EXACTLY where the sharpness begins AND ends. That would be SUPERB! In some respects, it's sorta' like HDR, only it's concerning focus, NOT exposure.... eh?

**clackers** · 06-06-2015, 04:52 PM

Originally posted by Dewman

In some respects, it's sorta' like HDR, only it's concerning focus, NOT exposure.... eh?

Very good analogy, Dewman.

dakight · 06-07-2015, 06:08 AM

I'm very interested in this topic. I made a couple of preliminary experiments in Photoshop but the results were disappointing. What software works best and what techniques are most effective?

Ray Hines · 06-07-2015, 08:00 AM

It is fun David and worth a bit of practice. I find working on a tabletop 1000% easier than trying to work outdoors. Even a little bit of wind will mess with everything. If you're after flowers then pick one and use a 3rd Hand to hold it on a table. If you're after insects then either hit them with a large mallet, take then indoors lay them on a table or spear them with a large nail and attach to a piece of wood

then be quick with the photos before they notice.

I have only had my 90mm macro lens for a few days so have only had a couple of tries so far. The first was the flower above, the second, I've just finished, is a watch (below). Neither are perfect but I'm happy with the results so far. I use a Hähnel Triad Compact C4 Tripod and a Goliton® 4 way bracket photography PTZ macro focusing focus rail neither of which are high spec high price items. I have a Tamron 90mm Macro lens on my Pentax K-r. I have tried Helicon Focus 6 and Zerene Stacker but I find PS 6 works best for me. Helicon and Zerene can both be had as free trial versions. If you click the watch image you can go to Flickr and read my full write up on what I did. Otherwise there are loads of tutorials out there to be had.

dakight · 06-07-2015, 03:36 PM

I will take another stab at it. I have a couple of good subjects in mind as a matter of fact. My Sigma 28 Mini Wide is only 1:4.6 but with an extension tube it will get to 1:1 or close anyway. I also have a Sigma 28-80 with a Macro setting that might do 1:2.

dakight · 06-08-2015, 06:19 PM

I followed the link in the opening post to the Focus Stacking Tutorial. One of the author's examples was a barrel cactus. Since I have a barrel cactus I decided to try the same thing. Here is the result: A composite of 7 images each with a different focal point.

**clackers** · 06-08-2015, 10:25 PM

Nice, Dakight!

Ray Hines · 06-08-2015, 11:35 PM

Success, I'd say David. Well taken and a good example of what Focus Stacking can achieve.

Nass · 06-09-2015, 03:13 AM

Great stuff. If it helps I have a site all about focus stacking etc - see Focus Stacking Tutorial From Start To Finish

Ray Hines · 06-09-2015, 04:18 AM

I've got that bookmarked Johan, but it might be too extreme for me mate. Nice site though.

06-06-2015, 12:41 PM	#1
Ray Hines Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Devon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 154	First Photo Stacked Macro With my new Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 lens, and a new, workable, rail I've had the chance to try some stacking shots. This is my first try, tabletop, indoor and flash lit. It's not as good as it could have been, mainly due to the fact my rail hit the table before I'd got all the shots Full details can be had by clicking the image, link to Flickr. Any comments, hints, tips and offers of payment always appreciated. Last edited by Ray Hines; 06-07-2015 at 08:03 AM.

06-07-2015, 08:00 AM	#8
Ray Hines Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Devon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 154 Original Poster	It is fun David and worth a bit of practice. I find working on a tabletop 1000% easier than trying to work outdoors. Even a little bit of wind will mess with everything. If you're after flowers then pick one and use a 3rd Hand to hold it on a table. If you're after insects then either hit them with a large mallet, take then indoors lay them on a table or spear them with a large nail and attach to a piece of wood then be quick with the photos before they notice. I have only had my 90mm macro lens for a few days so have only had a couple of tries so far. The first was the flower above, the second, I've just finished, is a watch (below). Neither are perfect but I'm happy with the results so far. I use a Hähnel Triad Compact C4 Tripod and a Goliton® 4 way bracket photography PTZ macro focusing focus rail neither of which are high spec high price items. I have a Tamron 90mm Macro lens on my Pentax K-r. I have tried Helicon Focus 6 and Zerene Stacker but I find PS 6 works best for me. Helicon and Zerene can both be had as free trial versions. If you click the watch image you can go to Flickr and read my full write up on what I did. Otherwise there are loads of tutorials out there to be had. Last edited by Ray Hines; 06-08-2015 at 12:03 AM.

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06-06-2015, 12:47 PM	#2
Dewman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,492	Originally posted by Ray Hines With my new Tamron f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 lens, and a new, workable, rail I've had the chance to try some stacking shots. This is my first try, tabletop, indoor and flash lit. It's not as good as it could have been, mainly due to the fact my rail hit the table before I'd got all the shots Full details can be had by clicking the image, link to Flickr. Any comments, hints, tips and offers of payment always appreciated. I'm going to show my complete ignorance about this subject and ask: What is the object of "image stacking"? When I look at the accompanying image, I don't see anything of any particular significance. Is there something I should be looking for?

06-06-2015, 01:12 PM	#3
Ray Hines Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Devon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 154 Original Poster	Hi Dewman, it's a lot to do with DoF mate. Here's a link to help you out, he can explain it better than I can. An Introduction to Focus Stacking - Digital Photography School It's also very popular for star trail photography. Ray

06-06-2015, 03:21 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Dewman When I look at the accompanying image, I don't see anything of any particular significance. Originally posted by Ray Hines Hi Dewman, it's a lot to do with DoF mate. The subject is an iris petal. With normal technique even at f/32, the full range (near to far) would not be in focus and there would be a sharpness penalty due to diffraction. One can do minor miracles using focus stacking. Steve

06-06-2015, 04:42 PM	#5
Dewman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,492	Originally posted by stevebrot The subject is an iris petal. With normal technique even at f/32, the full range (near to far) would not be in focus and there would be a sharpness penalty due to diffraction. One can do minor miracles using focus stacking. Steve Ah so. Now I understand. Makes perfect sense. Thanks for enlightening me, fellas. It sounds like something I might be interested in, especially if you can predetermine EXACTLY where the sharpness begins AND ends. That would be SUPERB! In some respects, it's sorta' like HDR, only it's concerning focus, NOT exposure.... eh?

06-06-2015, 04:52 PM	#6
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Dewman In some respects, it's sorta' like HDR, only it's concerning focus, NOT exposure.... eh? Very good analogy, Dewman.

06-07-2015, 06:08 AM	#7
dakight Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,216	I'm very interested in this topic. I made a couple of preliminary experiments in Photoshop but the results were disappointing. What software works best and what techniques are most effective?

06-07-2015, 03:36 PM	#9
dakight Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,216	I will take another stab at it. I have a couple of good subjects in mind as a matter of fact. My Sigma 28 Mini Wide is only 1:4.6 but with an extension tube it will get to 1:1 or close anyway. I also have a Sigma 28-80 with a Macro setting that might do 1:2.

06-08-2015, 06:19 PM	#10
dakight Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,216	I followed the link in the opening post to the Focus Stacking Tutorial. One of the author's examples was a barrel cactus. Since I have a barrel cactus I decided to try the same thing. Here is the result: A composite of 7 images each with a different focal point.

06-08-2015, 10:25 PM	#11
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Nice, Dakight!

06-08-2015, 11:35 PM	#12
Ray Hines Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Devon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 154 Original Poster	Success, I'd say David. Well taken and a good example of what Focus Stacking can achieve.

06-09-2015, 03:13 AM	#13
Nass Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The British Isles Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,402	Great stuff. If it helps I have a site all about focus stacking etc - see Focus Stacking Tutorial From Start To Finish

06-09-2015, 04:18 AM	#14
Ray Hines Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Devon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 154 Original Poster	I've got that bookmarked Johan, but it might be too extreme for me mate. Nice site though.