Focus stacking example

[LordV]

Thought I'd show another example of focus stacking. These were taken using a tripod and then focusing on the top of the stigma first (top middle), I took 3 shots just using the focus ring to focus further down into the anthers. All pics are as is uncropped and unprocessed (apart from the stack of course)
First pic shows from L to R and T to B the first 3 shots and lastly the stack.
2nd shot is a larger version of the stacked pic.
I just loaded the first 3 pics into combinez5 and told it to stack. Because these were taken using a tripod there were no alignment errors (often show up as striated sections around the edge of the pic). All pics taken at close to 1.5:1 using manual mode 1/200th, F13, Flash on ETTL -1 FEC. Just in case you are wondering, it's been raining outside all morning.
Brian V.

3 pics used in stack and stacked pic

http://lordv.smugmug.com/photos/42702372-L.jpg

larger version of stack

http://static.flickr.com/30/58917607_e4b1ef1980_o.jpg

[Guitartists]

Like an alien life-form! Not only a great example of focus stacking... but amazing how macro creates a whole new world within the one we know!

[LordV]

Like an alien life-form! Not only a great example of focus stacking... but amazing how macro creates a whole new world within the one we know!
Thanks Guitartist,
You are right, I sometimes think macro work is cheating a bit because it is fairly easy to produce an image with WOW factor simply because it is so strange/new.
Brian V.

[soupdragon]

Dag nabbit, I tried that last night with some of the wifes flowers and it looked worse than when I started.
Is there a book on combine Z?

[LordV]

Dag nabbit, I tried that last night with some of the wifes flowers and it looked worse than when I started.
Is there a book on combine Z?
Pretty certain there isn't one , but there is quite a lot of info on the download site.
http://www.hadleyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/CZ5/combinez5.htm

If you could post an example of whats happening I might be able to help- ie original and stack pics.
Brian V.

PS just to rub it in I did about 6 stacks this morning and they all worked perfectly, but they were all taken with a tripod.

[JoseC]

You got a really good example to show what combinez does.
The result is beautifull.
Jose

[LordV]

You got a really good example to show what combinez does.
The result is beautifull.
Jose
Thanks Jose,
Almost looks like a flower arrangement :D
Brian V.

[kallousa]

Excellent. I would love to have such a 100% stacking result

Regards

[LordV]

Excellent. I would love to have such a 100% stacking result

Regards
Thanks Kallousa,
I beginning to think it's one of those things that when you have got it to work properly once, it seems to work properly everytime after :D .

[Leorooster]

Thanks for sharing. It's amazing how the pollens can be clearly seen. Very cool!

[LordV]

Thanks for the comments Leorooster,
I think Hibiscus flowers have fairly large pollen grains, but they do show up rather well :)