www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Has anyone ever used this Helicon Focus program.... and does anyone know how to take several shots at once with marginally different foci?? (now with 7D L plates on)

Woah there boy! When - by a complete and lucky accident earlier this year - I bumped into Steve Woodhall at Bernwood Meadows, he spoke about this process briefly and presumably knows several photographers using this system. I thought, that's way out of my depth and left it well alone!

http://www.dphotographer.co.uk/forum/vi ... =26&t=1420

what about a focussing rail then??? could manual focus and take ~10 shots close together...... while the butterfly is sitting rock still of course

Paul wrote:what about a focussing rail then??? could manual focus and take ~10 shots close together

This is all well and good, especially if you like spending a lot of time in the field with a tripod and a insect that doesn't move, and then you like spending even more time at your computer (no doubt if you download or buy the software it does chug along happily and do some of the work) .

I've seen a lot of great images on this site (Jack Harrison and Roger Gibbons come to mind) and I don't suppose they use any stacking techniques - maybe some folks here are, or using a lot of post-production to bring out the best on their photos. I know I can always learn too, but I would always suggest mastering standard 'basics' on a camera first.

I've used CombineZP (free) instead of Helicon focus, but the principle is the same. It can be very useful for moths, which tend to stay put, but butterflies are more difficult. Occasionally I get a few shots, which can be combined, but those are never aligned so well that the program would help - the job has to be done manually. The situation could be different if one used a tripod and shot butterflies early in the morning or late evening.

Michaeljf was flattering about my pictures Thanks Michael.

Depth of field depends on many factors one of which is the size of the sensor; for a given F stop, the smaller the sensor, the greater the depth of field. There are of course disadvantages of small sensors as the DSLR users will point out.

The sensor on my Lumix FZ38 measures 6.4 x 4.8 mms and into that are crammed 12 megapixels, (4,000 x 3,000 pixels). If I fill the frame I can get a very reasonable depth of field. But I don’t do that aiming instead for the subject of occupy no more than 35% to 40% of the width of the frame, ie butterfly wingtip to wingtip of around 1,400 to 1,600 pixels, more than adequate for a resize and web upload. (But probably less suitable for printing). So by using just a portion of the frame, in effect I have a smaller sensor of around 2.4 x 1.6 mms and that gives an even greater depth of field.

I don’t use stacking and although I do post process - crop and adjustment brightness and contrast - I post process nowadays far less than I used to; I have learnt the hard way about the folly of over-sharpening, etc. Having said that, I have to admit that I do sometimes even now still fall into the trap. But to be honest, having been brought up on the use of real darkrooms, I do get a lot of enjoyment working in the digital darkroom today; for me, it’s as much fun as actually taking the photos.

Jack

Yes.... definitely must walk before I run... barely bottom shuffling yet - still - I can see myself very early one morning with tripod and rail on Stinchcombe Hill with some very cold Chalkhill Blues... you never know

Paul wrote:Yes.... definitely must walk before I run... barely bottom shuffling yet

Nice one Paul - self-depreciation at it's finest on a similiar vein, I may pop over to West Yatton Down this weekend near Chippenham, and looking at the map I can see it's very near to 'Bottom of Jeremies'. I love some of the English place names. There must be a story there somewhere
Michael

Hi Michaeljf,
Just looked at your website http://www.michaelfield.net/ and very much impressed with your paintings and drawings. A strange thread to post this in, bearing in mind that I'll never bother to find out what Helicon Focus is , but well worthy of a browse!
Neil

You had been keeping very quiet about your talents Michael. Some lovely images – and a very well presented website.

Jack

Jack Harrison wrote:You had been keeping very quiet about your talents Michael. Some lovely images – and a very well presented website. Jack

Thanks both of you. Yes - I'm afraid I keep quiet about some things
Michael

I agree Michael, navigating your website was a lovely way to spend my lunch hour!

All the best,

Lee

A little late to the discussion but I've been known to use both stacking and Helicon Focus - but not much of late as I've not been out much with the MP-e 65mm where the technique really comes into it's own! Having said that, I quite often use a stacking technique for 'ordinary' macros where I've taken 2 or 3 shots - but prefer to do it manually (more control!)

If you really want to see some amazing stacked shots (and he uses Helicon and MP-e too!), including butterflies, Brian takes ace shots - just Google Lord V

Michaeljf

Thanks both of you. Yes - I'm afraid I keep quiet about some things
Michael

Hya Mike, we can all see you have very many talents as regards a lot of the arts. You remind me of myself 25 years ago in some respects. You seem to want to do everything. Photography,,, almost all disciplines,, artwork,,, painting,,, sculpture,, most of the visual arts in fact, i bet you'll be into film making soon. On top of this you are all over the place geographically,,, Wales,,,England for this,,,, another place for that,,, holiday abroad for this. You're gonna wear the missus out like that. You almost wore me out in a morning at Portland, with your enthusiasm for almost everything. Although this interest in everything is commendable, most of the successful people in these fields that interest you are very much more narrow minded than you. Have you ever heard the term 'specialise to capitalise'. I know you would love to earn a living from your artistic bent. How about buying a potters wheel or two, and knock out some ceramic pots with butterflies on. I say all this as an admirer, and acquaintance, and don't take me tooooooooo seriously. Seen the website,,, love it.

Sorry Mark,,, this has nowt to do with focus stacking.

Zonda wrote:Sorry Mark,,, this has nowt to do with focus stacking.

LOL! No worries! Checked out Mike's site - great to revisit all those Welsh scenes where I've been (and photo'd - but not nearly so well! ) - having lived in Penarth (just outside Cardiff) for many years

Zonda wrote:Have you ever heard the term 'specialise to capitalise'.

Hi Zonda,
apologies - I didn't see this post when we'd come back from Portland. I'm sure someone with a good business brain and my talent would have done well, but hey ho, that would be another life As for enthusiasm, when I'm 'cooped' up at work during the week I can't wait to get out. Tomorrow I have a day off and will be at Celtic Manor to watch some of the Ryder Cup practice. You see, there really is no stopping me...
Michael

p.s. Still none the wiser about stacking techniques though