Focus Stacking

[Geoff I]

Is there anyone on the forum that does focus stacking, while I am off at Christmas I want to try and do more Macro Photography, my camera has been in its bag for to long and it needs the cob web dusting off.

What I would like to know is which program do you use and are the free programs any good, I have heard Zyrene Stacker is the best but a bit pricey, is there a way of stacking in elements or Photoshop.

I look forward to your input.

[Hinfrance]

Haven't done any focus stacking for ages.

Not being able to afford Photoshop CS, I used to use CombineZM. Not sure if it is available anymore. The new version is CombineZP. I've not tried that.

[Alfonso_Frisk]

Is there anyone on the forum that does focus stacking, while I am off at Christmas I want to try and do more Macro Photography, my camera has been in its bag for to long and it needs the cob web dusting off.

What I would like to know is which program do you use and are the free programs any good, I have heard Zyrene Stacker is the best but a bit pricey, is there a way of stacking in elements or Photoshop.

I look forward to your input.

Have a looksy at the following thread
http://cameracraniums.com/forum/index.php?topic=1635.0

[Geoff I]

Thanks for the link, I need to read the forum more for all these great tutorials, I have downloaded zyrene and Combine so I shal have something to play with, I shall not be bored over the holidays.

[Reinardina]

Thanks for the link, I need to read the forum more for all these great tutorials, I have downloaded zyrene and Combine so I shal have something to play with, I shall not be bored over the holidays.

Take some shots before you wipe off the cobwebs! You may get some great results, that you won't be able to repeat.
Good luck!

[Cathus]

I do a bit of focus stacking with the canon MPE-65. I use Zerene Stacker.

[picsfor]

Great pics - but MPE-65 says serious macro head to me 

[Geoff I]

How do you keep the spiders or wildlife still to take so many shots for Focus Stacking?

[Cathus]

The wasp was a dead one I found in my shed.

The spider and other insects are put in the fridge for a couple of minutes, I'm told that this does not harm them but sends thier systems to sleep as at night, you then have a minute or so to photograph them before they rouse themselves and wander off.

Some insects will remain still in their natural habitat but others need encouraging to stay still

[Geoff I]

The wasp was a dead one I found in my shed.

The spider and other insects are put in the fridge for a couple of minutes, I'm told that this does not harm them but sends thier systems to sleep as at night, you then have a minute or so to photograph them before they rouse themselves and wander off.

Some insects will remain still in their natural habitat but others need encouraging to stay still

Thanks for the information.

[Oldboy]

Their was a chap on DCM who was the expert on focus stacking LordV. He use a stick in his hand that held the camera, rocking backwards and forwards and taking the shot, when the part he wanted was in focus. 

Here's his method: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=807056

His Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/people/lordv/

His advice on focus stacking: http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=61316

[picsfor]

Gosh, Brian - another blast from the past.

Remember chatting to him once, and he said he could always tell when it was a quiet news day, cos the Daily Mail would ring up and pop one of his shots on a page to fill up the space.
As reminded, one incredibly clever chap when it comes to all things macro, micro and close up.

[Oldboy]

Gosh, Brian - another blast from the past.

Remember chatting to him once, and he said he could always tell when it was a quiet news day, cos the Daily Mail would ring up and pop one of his shots on a page to fill up the space.
As reminded, one incredibly clever chap when it comes to all things macro, micro and close up.

Yes, and very generous with his time and advice to help anybody. 

[Geoff I]

Lord V frequents on the Camel, the Camel is OK but you need to be an american cos they all talk about stuff I do not understand.

I like it here better than the Camel. 

I think with Focus Stacking you need to have patience and a technique you are comfortable with and go with the flow.

[picsfor]

Gosh, Brian - another blast from the past.

Remember chatting to him once, and he said he could always tell when it was a quiet news day, cos the Daily Mail would ring up and pop one of his shots on a page to fill up the space.
As reminded, one incredibly clever chap when it comes to all things macro, micro and close up.

Yes, and very generous with his time and advice to help anybody. 

Yes, but i would rather it that way than on some of pretentious ****** on some of the other sites.
Ooh, got a hankering for a Flake