NikonGear'23

Gear Talk => Other => Topic started by: PeterN on October 16, 2015, 12:04:27

Title: Seeking advice for focus stacking
Post by: PeterN on October 16, 2015, 12:04:27
I want to become a bit more serious with close-up and macro photography, especially in watch photography but also in flower photography.
Up till now, I just used some light diffusers, a tripod and the 105mm macro lens (and a Zeiss 50mm lens for the Fuji X). I added the R1C1 recently.

What would you recommend me to acquire? Would it suffice to start with Focus rail and stacking software? Or would you also recommend bellows?

wrt brands: I use manfrotto tripod. Would Manfrotto 454 micro sliding plate a good option?
wrt stacking software: does PS suffice? Or other software?
If bellows are the way to go: what would be a good option?
wrt lens: would the Nikon 60mm 2.8G be a good lens to add for watch photography (Ming Thein uses it). Or would you recommend another lens (which doesn't cost a fortune).

Other things to be aware of?

Thank you for your help and advice!
Title: Re: Seeking advice for focus stacking
Post by: Bjørn J on October 16, 2015, 12:29:41
Michael Erlewine is a true expert in focus stacking, and he has written several e-books on macro photography and stacking, and he generously offer them for free to anyone interested.
Have a look over here: http://spiritgrooves.net/e-Books.aspx and search for his two books "The Art of Focus Stacking".
Title: Re: Seeking advice for focus stacking
Post by: bobfriedman on October 16, 2015, 12:43:14
check out http://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker (http://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker)

tutorials are here http://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker/docs/tutorials/tutorialsindex (http://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker/docs/tutorials/tutorialsindex)
Title: Re: Seeking advice for focus stacking
Post by: PeterN on October 16, 2015, 12:52:16
Michael Erlewine is a true expert in focus stacking, and he has written several e-books on macro photography and stacking, and he generously offer them for free to anyone interested.
Have a look over here: http://spiritgrooves.net/e-Books.aspx and search for his two books "The Art of Focus Stacking".

That is an impressive series! Thanks for pointing me to the website. I am very grateful for this info.
Title: Re: Seeking advice for focus stacking
Post by: PeterN on October 16, 2015, 12:58:25
check out http://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker (http://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker)

tutorials are here http://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker/docs/tutorials/tutorialsindex (http://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker/docs/tutorials/tutorialsindex)

I will look at Zerene. Thank you.
Also just saw that Michael writes about PS and Zerene.
Title: Re: Seeking advice for focus stacking
Post by: Mike Wallace on October 16, 2015, 14:59:28
What a GREAT resource Bjorn...And it's right in my current price range!!!   TY!  :)
Title: Re: Seeking advice for focus stacking
Post by: Bjørn J on October 16, 2015, 15:21:55
What a GREAT resource Bjorn...And it's right in my current price range!!!   TY!  :)

Don't thank me  :)
Michael Erlewine deserves a big round of applause for his work and his generousity.
Title: Re: Seeking advice for focus stacking
Post by: PeterN on October 16, 2015, 15:54:53
Don't thank me  :)
Michael Erlewine deserves a big round of applause for his work and his generousity.

OK. Then 2 Big Thank You's. One for you and one for Michael.
Title: Re: Seeking advice for focus stacking
Post by: Mike Wallace on October 16, 2015, 16:02:32
Don't thank me  :)
Michael Erlewine deserves a big round of applause for his work and his generousity.

U R correct Bjorn.  TY Michael!  "Standing ovation!"   :)
Title: Re: Seeking advice for focus stacking
Post by: elsa hoffmann on October 16, 2015, 19:53:42
Both Michael and BobFriedman has extensive experience - Michael with his flowers and Bob with his alien bugs. You just have to look at the magnification on Bob's bugs to see how much he knows about putting a 220 stack photo together.
Title: Re: Seeking advice for focus stacking
Post by: PeterN on October 16, 2015, 20:01:06
Both Michael and BobFriedman has extensive experience - Michael with his flowers and Bob with his alien bugs. You just have to look at the magnification on Bob's bugs to see how much he knows about putting a 220 stack photo together.

Only 220? pffff. Just kidding. I've seen a few of Bob's bug pics. They are awesome, amazing, and whatever superlative you want to use. The same for Michael's photos. I've looked at some of his photo books. Amazing.

I think I am going to try some shots of watches and be back for advice.