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Manual focus stacking questions

Started 3 months ago | Discussions thread
grsnovi Veteran Member • Posts: 3,030
Figuring it out...
  • Your choice of lens matters. A longer focal length will allow you more room between subject and lens (which will allow more room for additional lighting).
  • Lighting will be critical.
  • Will you shoot inside or do you want to wander around outside? 
  • Common post-processing s/w often includes stacking - you don't have to purchase a dedicated stacking s/w like Helicon or Zerene. I use Affinity Photo which includes a very capable stacking option.
  • You might want to take a look at some of this guy's videos.
  • Shooting inside I use a focusing rail mounted on a tripod and a remote shutter release.
  • A fully manual lens might cost less but remember if you are shooting stopped way down, you might have a tough time seeing enough to focus.
  • I (along with many others) find this guy's macro work posted in the MFT forum and here to be quite spectacular. He is also helpful to newbies like me.

Once you get started, just ask. It would be helpful if you updated your gear listing so the rest of us know what you're using.

- Gary

 grsnovi's gear list:grsnovi's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Sony SLT-A65 Sony a7R III Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 OM-1 +11 more
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