Focus Stacking Basics in Macro Photography 

Thanks for watching! Subscribe for more videos! More regular content from me in these places: 💌 newsletter: mwroll.com 🌄 instagram: instagram.com/mwroll 🌆 patreon: patreon.com/micaelwidell 🐦 twitter: twitter.com/micaelwidell 📷 lens I used in this video: bit.ly/mwlaowa60 (I always buy Laowa lenses from this link - fast, free shipping worldwide)

For those watching and are also beginners. If you want to get easy 'drops' on products, you can buy (or make yourself) a mixture of glycerin and water. The drops will stick, even on vertical slopes and they will stay in place the entire time

I've been doing focus stacking for years using a range of focal points rather than the slider method. Everything is then exported from lightroom to photoshop to align and merge. Works like a charm every single time.

Covering the basic should not include things like your sliding machine. And Helicon software will take a series of shots in different focuses without the need for your sliding machine. I did find it beyond strange that you are telling us the basics without having a lot of experience. You should have named the video, My first attempt at focus stacking.

Hi Micael, I've been playing around with Helicon Focus as well the past few weeks and you could also get rid of the issue with the specular highlight by using the retouching tab. Look for the image where the edge is in focus and paint that in to the 'stacked end result preview'. What I like about helicon is it can read ARW's natively and export to DNG so you maintain the dynamic range in the stacked result. Also by using Sony Imaging Edge and tethered shooting you can almost completely get rid of any camera-shake because you don't have to set a shutter timer or manually move the camera over a focus-rail (if your lens-setup is able to zoom correctly using the software you can use 3 different modes of accuracy using shortcuts). I do like these focus-rails to adjust the camera without having to physically move the camera+tripod or the subject you're shooting within the frame. I was experimenting with the 40mm reversed setup (from one of your video's) but couldn't get that to work with tethered software zooming. Both elements move further apart but the narrow focus area stayed the same (extension tubes, mk-c-up, step-up-ring, 40mm reversed). It does work fine when using the regular 100mm macro lens from canon. Thanks for your inspiring video's!

Hi tx for this video. Have you tried moving your focus point for focus stacking or do you think the slider works better?

Now I have just tried to focus stack when it was daylight. In such a situation, I have held the camera in my hand and shifted it forward and backward while I spray with pictures and stacked in Photoshop. It has worked well, but I understand that this stacking program can be more easy to use for better result, but there are auto align layers in Photoshop which helps a lot.

Thanks for the great points for folks that are looking at doing this on a budget. Just an FYI Fuji X series camera's have focus stacking in camera (XT-2 and XT-3) and can even take 100 exposures in just a few seconds stacking inside the camera (with lens auto adjusting focus points). And Photoshop can be used to import each image as a layer and stack in that if folks have Photoshop. Thanks for the tip on Helicon, I might try that out to see how the workflow might be better or worse than the Photoshop method.

One thing that will help a lot is using a cable release so you aren’t jiggling your camera each time you shoot a frame. And I’ve found if I shoot at around f10 I only need 4-6 frames to get it all in focus using PS photo stacking (shutter speed can be much slower if using a cable release). Pre-digital you couldn’t do any of this. It’s amazing what you can capture using this technique.

Can't you do that automatically with your camera and a macro lens? Also, what you do is not focus stacking, but stacking multiple images with fixed focus. I am not saying that what you do is wrong, but there are better and easier ways. Maybe not with your camera, I don't know.

Good job Micael! I love the images you made. I recently used photoshop to do my first focus stacked macro image, I only shot about 8 photos (hand-held) because I still wanted a shallow depth of field with just the small waterdrop properly in focus and it worked out well!

I see that others have already said this, but it would seem that you would change the focus, incrementally - not move the camera. You probably figured that out after this video.

what is the technical reason we must use a rail vs focus ring for macro focus stacking? Is it lens aberration at macro scale?

I compared Helicon Focus to Photoshop and Helicon was a whole lot better. I also tried Helicon remote tethered to the computer, and it was great! You set the first and last focus points, tell it how many pictures to take in between, click start, and step back. It does the rest for you. If you have a cable from the camera to the computer, you may want to try that out too.

I am a quite experienced macro photographer (as a hobby and beyond) and I enjoy very much your videos. You are sincere and you try to give the best to our friends. I appreciate it and I like your approach. I am fanatic for micro 4/3 and especially Olympus. Focus bracketing and stacking are built-in functions in Olympus cameras without any extra gear. Plus the magnification crop factor and the depth of field of micro 4/3. Thank you.

glycerine is very helpful for water drops

those droplet photos are delicious !

Good video. I suggest using Photoshop for focus stacking if you already have the subscription. I know that is not the most popular option, but the focus stacking algorithm works well, and then you can go into your retouching workflow right after that. I also think Affinity photo has a focus stacking feature and works similar to Photoshop. I usually use a tripod and just adjust the focus point so the framing of the subject doesn't move. With this method, you will have to leave some space around the subject in the frame, because when the software aligns the images it will rotate the photo a little leading to empty space, then you just crop the negative space. Your technique is effective and I really like the final result. Thanks for posting.

If you have a canon camera that can run magic lantern, you can automate focus stacking. The focus rail ought to still give better results, but with ML you can achieve it anywhere, even if you haven't got a focus rail with you. Some newer canon cameras (and some from other makers) also have this built in now. The rail is still optimal, but having never been successful at focus stacking myself by trying to do it focusing manually, bracketing, or moving the camera handheld, i have been able to get it to work quite well by using Magic Lantern's automation. I find affinity photo does a pretty good job stacking the photos, better than photoshop did.

Why not just use the focus ring instead of the slider? Although it’s small, sliders introduce a slight variance in perspective, confusing the stacking software if you moved too much.

Hello sir! How can I get handheld stacking focus? I've taken the standing spider and always got the result with many head, legs, eyes,... please! Thank you!

8:05 your focus slider wiggles a LOT, that's why many shots were not stackable. What if we use focus bracketing instead ? Also we may be able to use electronic shutter in order to minimize mouvement ?

Nice job, why do you don’t use photoshop for the stacking 🤔 Al picture in Lightroom than send it to photoshop. I use focus stacking mostly for landscape for macro I try mosli i forgot that technology. Is not in my system het 🤪😂 Nice video

I've done a couple hundred inexpensive focus bracketing sessions using an iPhone XR, and Moment Macro and Closeup lenses, and focus stacking in Affinity Photo, and gotten beautiful results. In most cases natural light was sufficient to get great results. The best advise I have for easiest shooting of insects is to get out the door first thing in the morning as the sun is just peeking over the horizon and while insects are cold and least mobile. That's also often when the wind speed for the day is minimum.

Be careful Micael - it's a slippery slope! Before long you'll want to automate the capture process and end up buying a StackShot, then begin to search for smaller and smaller objects to photograph, which requires even more equipment for higher magnification... ;-)

Interesting setup, however the square light source reflected in the raindrop is distracting

It's very annoying with the challenges one has to face to get the perfectly focused macro but it's very hard to use a tripod outdoors with wind disturbing the subject. Of course we can block the set with windshield but it's still very inconvenient. Just take a dozen of pictures and hope you get atleast one right.

I have used Helicon for ages but with my EOS 90D it makes all the photos purple :( I will check pout the other you name, I've never heard of it before, so thanks.

The real challenge is how to take macro photography with kit lens without computer rendering.

It is covenant the errant images can be found and be removed then the program is run again. Excellent.

What i dont understand, after the first photo, and move the camera towards 1mm, after 10 photos my subject is way bigger, and some parts are already out of the picture, can you explain what i do wrong?!

Congratulations on the photos ... they are beautiful

Can you try the focus stacking on a free software?

Hi, may I know if focus breathing affects the results of stacking?

Is using a slider better than using manual focus without moving the camera?

I have seen in other videos they use glycerine to stabilize water droplets. Have you ever try that_

I'm so glad that I've found this video and this channel today just because of youtube recommendations! For some reason I didn't even thought that's something like this is possible. I was struggling with extremely shallow depth of field on my photos where it's like just a 32x32 pixels point in focus. I'm gonna try to make some macro photos again, thanks

Micael, we need an update on a suggested rail: the product you're suggesting is not easily available online (not available on Amazon anymore, on eBay you can find it only from US vendors, etc...)

So cool! Does the program know when to stack in focus sections? Have you tried stacking photos with foreground background etc as main focus points? Primarily for landscape. Macro you want certain sections only in focus while landscape you want from toe, to infinity in focus

Hi Micael. What was your lighting set up for this video?

Unnecessary annoying music. So American.

Why not Photoshop? I find it excellent!

Can I do the stacking using the focus ring, instead of the slider? Thanks.

A very nice video, well explained. Instead of focus slider, I prefer to have a camera body which supports focus bracketing, and of course, an AF macro lens. However, I don't know any suitable macro lens with 2x magnification.

I notice the camera is shaking while you push the shutter button, what is exactly the unstably shaking component? the tripod or the rail itself?

I'm tempted to get further involved, but all my photography (regular and macro) is on a tiny budget - I can't afford any 'real' macro gear (especially a lens), so I've been fiddling about with homemade racks and rigs, cheapo extension tubes and lens-reversing mounts. My camera's a Nikon D3300 (don't laugh, you snobs!🤭) The stacking software looks great, but I'd have to search around for a freeware version (GIMP, maybe?); my other difficulty is my 2005-vintage PC, which is single core, optimised for music production, and still runs Windows XP! Would rendering a stacked image take days/weeks, or would it simply not cope? I know people will be shouting at their screens that I should just stop whining and spend £17,000+ on a proper macro setup like they have, but I've got no spare cash; they might as well be telling me to buy another helicopter for my super-yacht. It can be a bit disheartening trying to do this kind of specialised photography on the cheap, but it makes the occasional good result all the more satisfying.

Hi, why does Canon EOS R not have "Focus Bracketing", present in Canon EOS RP? Could it be introduced through the Firmware update?

Thank you very much. I will be investing in a macro lens and focus slider soon

I got an EOS R7 camera, it has built in Focus Stacking function. The function is excellent and fast , I used it for handheld insect macro photography (magnification around ~0.8-0.9x) using EF 100mm f/2.8L macro. The function uses only electronic shutter with 30 FPS and it does not support flash. After finishing focus stacking, it would give a composite jpg image. Usually I shot in C-Raw format and stack the photos using Digital Photo Professional (DPP by Canon). Most of the composite photo does not need any processing except for butterfly shooting (antenna movement). I know there are many cameras with focus stacking function except Sony, might be you can have a look at it. Try one with fast FPS electronic shutter.

How? How you can put the lens so close to the object??😲😲😲 What do I do wrong that my lens does not let me to close to the object? I am puzzled

Get you a remote for shutter will help

Hi, just 2 stupid questions from a beginner. 1 why not just focus stacking in Photoshop and 2 why not just simply use a normal tripod and adjust the focus manually instead of using that macro tool you used. Thanks in advance if you would like to reply. : ) Great job!

Hi Micael ! I want to purchase Helicon, but what version should I take ? I shoot mainly with Fujifilm cameras, so I don't need the remote, but is the Lite enough, or do you think the Pro has important features ? Thanks for helping !

thats not how you focus stack. you do not move the camera you just change the focus point. thats like trying to match up a 50mm shot with a 500mm shot.

promotional video again and again, only advantage I know which brand I will never buy.

Micael thank you , nice job.

Dont move the camera just change the aperture. Some cameras can be connected to the pc for pc control. What james harris said.

Another very informative video. You have a great way of passing on information.

I love this DIY stuff!!

$ 135 is cheap??Anyhow, you shoot at f/5.6? Why not f/11-14?

Thanks. I just started doing macrophotography, but I'm on a budget so I've been using extension tubes and reverse rings until I can save up for a macro lens. I'll probably wait until I get a macro lens before I attempt stacking. But this was cool and informative. Subscribed. Thanks.

I love the swenglish!

Your camera is moving every time you move slider.

What about Photoshop?

As your video alludes to, racking the camera forward and back to move the plane of focus has a serious limitation, the relative size and perspective (line of sight) changes significantly when moving in or out a millimeter when the distance to the subject is very short. This has ruined most of my efforts at focus stacking macro shots particularly with more complicated compositions than used in the shots shown here, as things do not line up from shot to shot messing up the merging of the images. I have not had as much of a problem when keeping the camera distance constant and just rotating the focus ring, but I suspect that would vary depending on how much focus "breathing" (change in effective focal length depending on the focus distance) is associated with lens being used. Do you have advice on this? Perhaps focus stacking is better for bigger subject that are farther away from the camera.

Great explanation.. what is good about you is u covered the problematic areas which made things very clear .. thanks a lot

Great info, what is the difference with the helico light vs pro? I did not see anything when I read it.

Maybe give the Zerene Stacker a second chance? First look at their how to videos (or even read the help), it helps... If correctly set the automatic stacking methods of Helion and Zerene got you similar results. The biggest difference is in retouching. Zenere is best of all in that department. Your small blurry "problem" can be resolved in Zerene 10x faster than Helion or Photoshop and the result looks flawless if you put a bit of effort to it.

0:17 He just killed the plant!

How make our hands still steady? Bcoz using ponsel camera

1:22 Hello! what's the difference between a slider and a focus ring? using the focus ring, you can automate the process with programm on your phone, Helicon remote

пожалуйста включайте субтитры на русском! спасибо!

CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME I HAVE A Z62 THE FOCUS STACKING IS SHADED OUT IN THE MENU

Thanks! What software do you use to merge the images?

what are you using that the slide rail is attached to? I have seen you use this on other videos and it seems to be a better alternative than a mini-tripod

I'm trying to avoid the focus slider, and so avoid moving the tripod or camera. The focus slider is good for shots of the moon with a long lens.

Great & informative video, Many thanks. I like the quieter music !

Please can you also add Amazon link for EU :-) thanks

Good video

Good video

Thank you Micael. I really enjoy your videos!

lo hare

Very good video... As an additional piece of information; using a bit of glycerin combined with water for the drop will give you a better formed drop that will also last longer...

Hi: I’m debating between Voitlander 110mm for sony and the new Laowa 100mm Macro . What do you think or what would your recommend, don’t take into consideration money.

Very informative and great for newbies like me. Thanks.

Does the velbon focus rail hold up the weight of the camera and the lens in its vertical position without sliding down?

Why not just use light room and photoshop?

actually there is no cheap stuff in photography, our creativity to decide whether the photo looks cheap or not

Very helpful tutorial style.

Water droplet looks very awesome. Can focus be done in camera not with a software? This is interesting hobby.

Waw

You can DIY a macro rail for $150-$200 easily using parts off the internet that offers far more precision (

I do simple photostacking in PS CS6. It works wonderfully well! I choose the best two or three photos that offer the widest range of sharpness, then align and blend. Takes only moments, and the result is impressive.

is this in manual or AF?

thank you easily understood

Hi Micael, do you know how people focus stack insects and insect eyes? Its so hard to get them in focus in general when they move a lot, so I dont understand how people get multiple shots steadily adjusting focus

This is not focus stacking though... Focus stacking is where you keep the camera and subject steady throughout the shoot and you only change your focus hence the term focus stacking. Mostly used in astrophotography and macro photography. In your example, even with wider apertures it's hard to get the entire base of the leaf in focus so you need to focus individual parts of the leaf & drop then combine them as if you've taken it at f16 which wouldn't have given you that sharp of an image, not to mention how much more light you'd need.

Bra jobbat med en så pillig metod för att få så mycket som möjligt i skärpa! Jag saknar tålamodet för så mycket pill jobb!

Great video! Sadly had to return my oly 60mm macro because there was some white spec inside the lens. But will buy it again along with the sliding tool like yours!

Thanks for this video. I had committed early to the purchase of a focus rail, but was really curious about how it would measure in photostacking; which I have yet to try. This video inspired and a boost of confidence that I had made the right decision. All that said, you should really edit the title and add “focus rail”. I was hesitant; thought it might have been just another video on refocusing manually, but to my very grateful surprise. You made the best focus rail/focus stacking beginners video. 🙏🙏🙏