As mentioned, I would like to try out the feature on the D850 that (using autofocus lenses) automatically stacks images. However, it’s more of a sidebar for me because I am quite happy stacking images manually, since in my kind of photography the entire process is what I enjoy and not just the resulting photos. And I can stack pretty well manually.
So, I am not in a hurry to get to the traditional end result (photo), but IMO consider the whole process of photography the end result. I also find that the more I focus on the process, the better the resulting photos are. Make sense?
And I don’t see any low-hanging fruit (as they say) in terms of APO-level autofocus lenses available to me. Where are they? If I wanted to use my collection of APO lenses for automatic focus-stacking, I could buy a mechanized focus rail and mount manual lenses on that, which would give me at least a ballpark idea of what that is like. But I have never felt the need to do so. I am not a lens mechanic, so I don’t take lenses apart, aside from adapting mounts, like converting Leica-R lenses to Nikon-F mounts, etc.
As for the Coastal Optics 60mm APO Macro, I had one and used it for many years, but finally sold it. While it was a very well corrected lens, it was poorly-designed lens shell, IMO. Why make a fine lens for close-up (perhaps forensic) work with a very short focus throw? I used to have to mount the Coastal Optics 60mm on a focus rail in order to use it properly. It had no hood, not to mention a huge hot spot for close-up work (and it was a macro lens!). It also had, IMO, trouble with variable or mottled light, like you would find with sunlight coming through the leaves in a forest. So, the designer of the optics (aside from the hot spot) did well, but the mechanical aspects of the lens showed little foresight IMO.
So, the only thing the new feature of auto-stacking in the D850 offers me is speed. And I well understand that speed can be important with changing light conditions or subjects that otherwise will move. But speed would only be useful to me with highly-corrected lenses. I don’t need speed if all I have are lenses that are not well corrected. For me, well-corrected “APO” lenses offer me a “sharpness” that only refined color correction can offer. It is not all about acutance.
