Author Topic: The NOCT95 for Focus Stacking  (Read 2649 times)

Michael Erlewine

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The NOCT95 for Focus Stacking
« on: April 21, 2020, 15:56:24 »
I have found that the new NOCT95 is not only a special lens, but also kind of a specialty lens. For example, it does not lend itself happily to focus stacking other than what I call a “Short Stack,” meaning cherry-picking the main focus points of an image, resulting in 3-5 images in the stack.

This is due to the stiffness of the focus barrel, IMO. Large stacks are affected by the minute shift in perspective (even on a very stable tripod) and that mars the fineness of this lens for stacking. I don’t know of any way to loosen the helicoid and even if Nikon would/could, they are not accepting any adjustments due to the pandemic just now.

That being said, single shot images work fine and the results can be lovely.

However, as long as I don’t insist on stacking more than a few layers, no real problem. And, if I stay close to a wide-open aperture, that is where the NOCT95 shines, IMO. However, it is not exactly like rolling off a log. I have had to learn to use this lens more than most, although that work is a pleasure.

Here are three photos, all tweaked. There is one that is a single shot with the NOCT95 (f/5.6), then a Short Stack of four layers with the NOCT95 (f/3.2), and then a stack of 31 layers using the very-fine Voigtlander 65mm Macro at f/2.

This is probably a wasted effort (my posting here) that only shows me (which we all know) that the new NOCT95 is best wide open with a single frame shot…. A Short Stack also works pretty well.
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MEPER

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Re: The NOCT95 for Focus Stacking
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2020, 08:26:39 »
If the lens is also an AF lens then Focus Stacking could be made as a function in the firmware?     …..like "bracketing" for distance?
Then there was nothing to disturb the setup. Then parameters like no. of images in stack, "delta" distance, etc. could be setup in such a function.
Maybe this is possible today if the camera/lens can be controlled from a laptop PC?

mxbianco

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Re: The NOCT95 for Focus Stacking
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2020, 15:33:39 »
...
Here are three photos, all tweaked. There is one that is a single shot with the NOCT95 (f/5.6), then a Short Stack of four layers with the NOCT95 (f/3.2), and then a stack of 31 layers using the very-fine Voigtlander 65mm Macro at f/2.


In the text, you state the short stack having been taken @f/3.2; on the actual photo you have @f/0.95.

Which is the correct one?

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ColinM

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Re: Focus Stacking and Remote camera control
« Reply #3 on: April 23, 2020, 10:56:21 »
deleted

mxbianco

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Re: The NOCT95 for Focus Stacking
« Reply #4 on: April 23, 2020, 11:02:47 »
A form of this is found in recent Nikon cameras starting with the D850 I believe.
...and also Z6 and Z7.

Should work best with AFP lenses, which have a stepper motor similar to those present in hard-disc technology (and also floppy-disc, going way back in the past). With respect to AFS motors, AFP motors will advance focus a tiny step at a time, practically perfect for stacking.
I think all Z-Nikkors are AFP (except the Noct95, which is MF)

Whoops! I had the answer window open, when I posted my reply, the rest of the posts had moved! Moving my message myself...

My question to mr. Erlewine still stands, which is the correct answer, f/0.95 or f/3.2 for the short stack?


Ciao from Massimo
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Birna Rørslett

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Re: The NOCT95 for Focus Stacking
« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2020, 13:31:45 »
(Admin comment: split off from this thread: https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=9409.0, in which matters of focus stacking and remote control are dealt with)


This is the original post by Bob Friedman

so my approach to this problem would be to use a stackshot rail to generate the stack.  I would estimate the DoF and base the total number on that range extent divided by the DoF amount + 1. just generally, I would assume you need more than 3-5 images in the stack.. I would be in the neighborhood of 10 time that amount at a minimum.. I personally always oversample..

so to fix the focus plane and let the rail create the image slices would be my recommendation.
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Michael Erlewine

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Re: The NOCT95 for Focus Stacking
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2020, 08:38:57 »
(Admin comment: split off from this thread: https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=9409.0, in which matters of focus stacking and remote control are dealt with)


This is the original post by Bob Friedman

so my approach to this problem would be to use a stackshot rail to generate the stack.  I would estimate the DoF and base the total number on that range extent divided by the DoF amount + 1. just generally, I would assume you need more than 3-5 images in the stack.. I would be in the neighborhood of 10 time that amount at a minimum.. I personally always oversample..

so to fix the focus plane and let the rail create the image slices would be my recommendation.
.

I hear you and agree. It is just disappointing that the lens barrel turns so stiffly. I may have to do use StackShot, for sure.

Right now, I am doing more single shot photos with the lens. lol


As for the short stack, that was f/0.95. Typo.
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Michael Erlewine

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Re: The NOCT95 for Focus Stacking
« Reply #7 on: May 07, 2020, 15:49:09 »
The more I use (and learn to use) the NOCT 95, the more I like it and the more I grows on me. It is a little scary because it's not that I don't have a lot of other lenses... lol.

Nikon Z7 and the NOCT 95mm

Taken an hour ago...some signs of spring, the Redbud and the ferms.
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Toby

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Re: The NOCT95 for Focus Stacking
« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2020, 07:50:53 »
Quite an amazing lens, it seems, in terms of microcontrast, sharpness and smoothness of bokeh. Big kudos to Nikon. I am not always so impressed with their modern lens designs, but they hit the mark here.

Frank Fremerey

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Re: The NOCT95 for Focus Stacking
« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2020, 13:34:02 »
the fern is absolutely stunning. Is that f/4 or f/5.6?
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