Focus stacking comparison - Natural history, small specimens

[Isaac]

In this manuscript we present a focus stacking system, composed of commercial photographic equipment. The system is inexpensive compared to high-end commercial focus stacking solutions. We tested this system and compared the results with several different software packages (CombineZP, Auto-Montage, Helicon Focus and Zerene Stacker). We tested our final stacked picture with a picture obtained from two high-end focus stacking solutions: a Leica MZ16A with DFC500 and a Leica Z6APO with DFC290. Zerene Stacker and Helicon Focus both provided satisfactory results.

[E.J. Peiker]

Highly informative and detailed.  Thank you!!!
It would be interesting to add Photoshop's built in stacking capability to the study.

[kirkt]

... or align_image_stack + enfuse, which are free.

kirk

[wmchauncey]

It would be interesting to add Photoshop's built in stacking capability to the study.

I use PS 2015 a lot for stacking, simply because I use it for everything else...
I've tried others and have found that they all require some occasional fixing of artifacts.