High DOF technique question

[PeterAit]

When shooting a focus stack (macro photography), is it better to move the entire camera/lens assembly for each subsequent shot or to use the lens focus ring to change the focus point?

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

When shooting a focus stack (macro photography), is it better to move the entire camera/lens assembly for each subsequent shot or to use the lens focus ring to change the focus point?

Hi Peter,

The optimal solution would be to have a control that moves the film/sensor plane, and leaves the entrance pupil of the optical system in place. That would allow to have an unchanged perspective for each shot, leaving only a change in magnification which will be resized by the DOF stitching application.

I'm not sure there is a definite preference in the DOF stacking society for the second choice scenarios. Whether a lens 'focus' (actually a change in magnification) adjustment or a subject to lens distance is preferrable, seems debatable. I prefer using the lens 'focus' method because I don't have the luxury of a motorized Stackshot, and Helicon Focus Pro comes with a Helicon Remote utility which drives the focus of the lens (at least for my Canon EF 100mm). That is a real time saver.

Apparently Helicon Remote will also be (or maybe already is) able to drive the Stackshot. In that case I would also be able to use my manual focus 65mm Macro for  DOF stacking, but I first need to take the hurdle of buying the Stackshot.

I'm not sure if the Zerene stacker software also interfaces with the Stackshot, which sofar seems the only not-DIY solution of adequate quality. I'm happy with Helicon Focus Pro, very helpful folks in case of an issue that needs to be solved (hardware interface peculiarities with the remote focus protocols).

Cheers,
Bart

[feppe]

Is focus breathing an issue, or does Helicon focus take care of that in software?

've done some very limited DOF stacking with two planes (foreground and rest), but have thought about really going all-out when a scene demands it.

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

Is focus breathing an issue, or does Helicon focus take care of that in software?

Hi Harri,

No, not a problem. Helicon Focus automatically resizes the images in the stack to neutralize the magnification differences. It also offers different resampling algorithms to lose as little information as possible during the resample.

Cheers,
Bart

[Robert DeCandido PhD]

Zerene Stacker gets high marks by some folks. This link might be of interest:

http://nikongear.com/live/index.php?/topic/32884-focus-stacking-basic-techniques/

[bill t.]

At high magnifications with large lens extensions and shaky camera rigs the best option would be to move the subject, for which purpose a used microscope stage or micrometer can easily be adapted.

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

At high magnifications with large lens extensions and shaky camera rigs the best option would be to move the subject, for which purpose a used microscope stage or micrometer can easily be adapted.

Hi Bill,

Yes, that's absolutely right. The StackShot, should one require a more automated method, can also be used to move the subject stage instead of the camera. At extreme magnifications, the DOF is almost non-existing which requires many shots to cover a tiny bit of depth. An automated procedure is a blessing if it happens often enough to justify the expense.

Cheers,
Bart

[elf]

When shooting a focus stack (macro photography), is it better to move the entire camera/lens assembly for each subsequent shot or to use the lens focus ring to change the focus point?

The difinitive answer is yes  Actually you left out several other options that work as well:
1. Move the subject.
2. Use a bellows and move the camera, leaving the lens stationary.

There are several people that can shoot handheld focus stacks at 10X. ( Look at Lord V's posts on http://www.photomicrography.net)

You will need to be very, very good to handhold the camera and change the lens focus distance for stacking.

Canon's software lets you control the lens focus motor, so if you're shooting tethered, this is a good way to go.  I don't know if Nikon's software exposes this or not. Olympus definitely doesn't.

I automated my macro focus stacking setup using an Arduino micro controller, but the Stackshot is probably the least expensive off the shelf solution.