MACRO EXPERTS: Focus Stacking

[b.d.bop]

I'd like to tap the expert macrophotographer brains here regarding focus stacking.

I understand the general approach using a series of images with incremental adjustments to the plane of focus. That's ordinarily done with a stable support.

What I'm specifically interested in having addressed is how focus stacking is done with hand held images.
It's apparent that there will necessarily be at least small shifts of the subject within the series of frames owing to the instability of support, so how is that reconciled?
Also it's tough enough to catch an insect with a well focused eye before it moves, but how do you catch a series with minute focal plane differences while hand-holding?

Another question specific to the MP-E 65mm macro lens is that extending the lens with the ring causes a change in magnification, so I'm wondering, when shooting to stack with this lens, do you move the lens/camera in & out and maintain the same magnification or do you rotate the ring and change the magnification - and if so how does the stacking work?

Thank you in advance for your input.

[HankScorpio]

I've never tried stacking hand held shots. Regarding the MP-E65 though, I use a macro focussing rail to move the camera and lens without changing the magnification.

[Tixeon]

I'm not so sure hand holding a series can be successfully focus stacked. I'm fairly steady, but nowhere near steady enough to try that.

[monty28428]

Check out this tutorial from a member of POTN

Stacking

[b.d.bop]

Originally Posted by monty28428

Check out this tutorial from a member of POTN

Stacking

Right, monty, I'd seen and read that great thread before. Thanks.

And in it Brian V. hints at focus stacking being done successfully without a tripod (after gaining some experience with one). That's what I'm getting at.

There are other macro masters right here in POTN who have done similarly - Alliec's recent astounding Cranefly thread sticks in my mind, as one illustrative example: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...=520498&page=2

So I'm interested in promoting some discussion regarding this amazing technique and in hearing and gleaning some tips/pearls from you serious macro players!

[troypiggo]

G'day Mark. I'll start by saying I don't have the MPE-65 (yet ), and have only attempted focus stacking a couple of times - both by manually stacking and using CombineZM as per LordV's tute. But I may be able to add some tips I've found or read.

Regarding the MPE-65 and whether they change mag, IIUC they don't. You move the camera slightly forward or backward. Don't change the mag.

LordV uses a beanpole often instead of a tripod, gripping the camera and pole with the same hand. Allows him to steady the shot, but also quickly adjust forwards or backwards. Here are photos of him showing how it's done.

Another method I've heard dalantech, Alliec and macrojunkie using recently is to hold the flower or leaf that the bug is on with their left hand, move the leaf to get a good angle/composition, then rest the lens on the same hand. It keeps the bug steady relative to the camera. Then they can control movement of the camera forward or backwards relative to the subject.

Then of course, there are tips in the tute about manually aligning shots and slicing to take account of things moving relative between shots.

Hope that helps some.

[troypiggo]

Actually I should clarify something in the above post. AFAIK dalantech and macrojunkie do not do focus stacking, but they do use the technique I mentioned to steady some of their shots etc. Alliec does do focus stacking on most of his shots, as does LordV.

[b.d.bop]

Thanks for the response, Troy! The information you've provided fills in some gaps and misinterpretations circulating about and is greatly appreciated, especially since you more than qualify as one of the "macro-masters" in the know.

It was my hope to have some light shed on some of the various techniques used by the macro gunslingers intending to post-process handheld images with the focus stacking software and you've done just that.

The more tips we can collate within this thread, the better.

Thanks again, Troy.

[troypiggo]

No worries. I'd hardly qualify myself as "macro-master" though.

Keep in mind those guys shoot lots, and I mean lots, of insects. Experience is another one of the main ingredients in the technique. Practise. And talent of course.

When I said I've manually stacked some, I use GIMP, but you can use any photo-editing software that handles layering etc (PS/CS3 etc). I paste the different shots into separate layers, align the layers by reducing the opacity temporarily and moving the layer. Then when they're all aligned you can use layer masks and to bring out the areas you want over the image you choose as your base image/layer.

Been meaning to write this down a little more clearly for some time but never get around to it. Not sure if the above is explanation enough. Should be if you're familiar with layer masks etc - and if you're not, but serious about photo-editing, you should learn it anyway. Very useful tool.

[dpastern]

Originally Posted by Tixeon

I'm not so sure hand holding a series can be successfully focus stacked. I'm fairly steady, but nowhere near steady enough to try that.

It most certainly can be done. LordV is famous for it, Alliec is very good at it as well, and so are several other macro members. I've used stacking a few times myself, but it's not really my cup of tea to be honest. I can do it, I'm just too lazy to fart a$$ around with it.

You can either stack by hand in Photoshop, or use a program called:

CombineZM

I even have a small tutorial available on my website (it's very easy to use) - direct link:

http://www.macro-images.com/CombineZM_tutorial.doc

Dave

[Tixeon]

Ok..... Let me re-word that.

I'm not so sure that I can hand hold a series that can be successfully focus stacked.

BTW those that can are very exceptional in my opinion.

[HankScorpio]

I can barely get a single shot while hand holding so you're not alone.

[dpastern]

It takes a LOT of practice guys...

Dave