The images are aligned and resized as necessary by the software. Almost
always moving the cam on a rail will lead to less change in mag
and somewhat less trouble with alignment but the software these days is
very good. Then after that is done there are a number of stacking
algorithms to sort out what parts to keep.
Overlapping bristly type structures can wreak havoc. The " pyramid”
method is very good at finding and preserving detail even in low
contrast or slightly blurred areas. It's also very good at handling
overlapping structures like mats of hair and crisscrossing bristles,
nicely avoiding the loss-of-detail halos --which still can occur and
require labor intensive clean up in post in PS. The pyramid methods
tends to increase noise and contrast, and it can alter colors somewhat.
This algorithm in the version of Combine Z I have no longer works--I
think it has been updated once but the 64 bit version is still not
available.
There are also “depth map” methods. They a better job keeping the
original smoothness and colors, but it's not as good at finding and
preserving detail.
One can control how the "seams" are handled in most of the software (I
don't think it is adjustable in PS though). I tend to keep the areas a
bit softer to avoid extra work in cleaning them up, unless I think
a lurking pixel peeping Moose is going to scrutinize the image and
really see how the sausage is made--then one can keep the areas sharp
and clone out the areas that look like a sharp margin is present. It
can take a long time and I didn't have time today to work towards an
image that could withstand that degree of scrutiny. I hope at viewing
size it is acceptable.
Sometimes fewer shots can be better if done correctly, especially with
landscapes. I have even tried to focus stack a few shots using my
Mirex tilt-shift adapter (for OM) when I didn't think one shot would
do.
Zerene stacker software site says this app is good, but I have never
seen much else mentioned about it.
http://www.georgedouvos.com/douvos/Focus_Stacking_in_Landscape_and_Architectural_Photography.html
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/focusstacker/id648686483?mt=8
Bottom line, focus stacking can be very very useful for macro and fun
as well.
Stacking 'em, Mike
Why would / how could ........... four images, one on top of each
other,
be superior to a carefully taken single image of the same object ? The
object's slightest movement would surely have upset the clarity of the
final sandwiched images ?
jh
This may help explain. Here is a series of photos with different focal
points
and the resulting image stack. With something as small as an N-scale
engine,
you can't get the whole thing in focus and still have it large in the
frame.
http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=58021&;
Steve Troy
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