Bill MacBeth

The StackShot works very well up to 5.6x (my limit) with conventional macro lenses. Beyond that it still has the necessary motion resolution, to use microscope objectives which is an area that I...

If you want to find out how black your blacks are, independent of the display technology used, here are two techniques: Pan around the black area with Photoshop's eyedropper tool while watching...

I've used mine with up to 39mm of extension tubes and find it 'slightly soft' at all focal lengths. That evaluation is made comparing it with images form the EF 100mm f2.8 Macro at the same...

This is a blanket comment on much of the preceeding material in this thread. I first began focus stacking for architectural imaging, using Helicon Focus.  In that field it usually worked well,...

I would call the advertising a little misleading:  'right, left, forward, and back' being called a '4-way' rail.  This is an X-Y rail, two axes. The price is good, and this looks capable of moving...

Shoot RAW. From that point convert to 16-bit RGB, using the widest gamut color space that your RAW converter can handle.  Do all processing in 16-bit mode. Images for posting or showing in an...

My experience with StackShot has been very good.  I got the unit with 8" travel, and glad that I did.  It works fine for insects, and the 8" of travel allows me to also use it for clusters of...

Great work!  Very interesting subjects shots. Regards, Bill

Trevor, Thanks for this specific comment.  I've been doing a lot of experimenting with 'light modifiers' lately, and this shot was vastly improved when I got it all right.Regards, Bill

I also noticed many 70-200mm responses.  I agree, it's a great lens. Regards, Bill

Phalaenopsis orchid, taken with Canon 5DMII, 100mm f/2.8 Macro. Regards, Bill

My post of the Durango and Silverton Railroad: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/post/41891825 My post of Mesa Verde National Park (Indian cliff...

You need to get rid of all places that can trap gas. Thoroughly clean the inside surface of the glass. Fill the vase slowly with distilled water. Rinse the stems of the flowers, then slowly...

All four are creative shots, and unusual subject matter for this forum. Regards, Bill

This miniature orchid is about 1/2" diameter, and is my first StackShot attempt.  The lighting needs improvement, so I'll be working on that in future shots.  5DMII and 65mm...

Very nice work.  My pick for the best is the 7th image (black ant wading into the water).  Regards, Bill

I made a similar test with a 5D Mark II and the MP-E 65mm f2.8 Macro at apertures of f/2.8. f/4, f/5.6, f/6.3, f.7.1, f/8, f/11, and f/16.  The results were similar to yours, showing f/5.6 and...

It really depends on what your subject matter is.  The 24-105 also has a Macro setting.  I've traveled with these two and find they cover all of my needs. Regards, Bill

For handheld work on a camera of about 20 Mpix I would not use a shutter speed slower than 1/180.  If you need more light, both can be used at f/5.6 with outstanding sharpness. Regards, Bill

Regards, Bill