Quite some time ago I downloaded some free software that does image
stacking ("CombineZM" by Alan Hadley) but never tried to use or study
it. CombineZM can be used to stack images for improved depth of field,
add exposures (as in astrowork), increase dynamic range, etc. (yes,
there's more)
Today I noticed the beautiful blossoms on a crabapple tree so snipped
off a small branch and setup indoors to take a series of shots with a
Viv Series 1 90/2.5 macro intending to get all of the blossoms in focus
across the full width of the branch. I ended up with a set of 7 frames
each focused about an inch apart. I started to peruse the instructions
which seemed rather daunting so decided simply to press ahead and see if
I could find the automated procedures. I did but they made a perfect
mess of the result.
First, I knew that changes in focus were going to cause slight
differences in magnification. But I was surprised to see just how much
the magnification does change. Across the full 7 frames the image
shrank about 3-4%. When I directed the software to do it's thing I
ended up with a series of overlaid images all of slightly different
size. Not what I expected. I guess I may be forced to read the
instructions to figure out how to resize the images for a precise overlay.
Finally, and I don't know how I'm going to defeat this part, I noticed
that over the 7 minutes I took to take the 7 shots that several blossoms
visibly wilted during the session and sagged on their stems by roughly
their own full width in the 7 minute session. Guess I'm going to have
to get faster.
Anyhow, anyone have any experience in doing this sort of thing. Any advice?
Thanks,
Chuck Norcutt
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