Beginner Focus Stacking Help

[Forkbeard]

I have an LX100 and a Raynox 250 adaptor (for now) and have about reached the limits of what I can do with them. Ideally I would like more magnification and more depth of field, but for the time being the depth of field issue would be priority. I have never done any focus stacking. I understand the basics but would like a few tips to get started. Firstly, I'm guessing I need a slide adaptor/tripod setup. I have been looking at this slide:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-Foc...F8&qid=1502550705&sr=1-1&keywords=macro+slide

I'm not sure what tripod to get, but would like something I can get close to the floor with for insects/spiders etc at ground level if needs be. Also, is there a specific program you can use for stacking without laying out a monthly subscription fee for photoshop? I mainly just shoot jpeg and use Fastone most of the time for a few basic adjustments. I don't really want to get into raw as my laptop is ageing and would (well, does) struggle to process them.

 

[GardenersHelper]

Some people capture images for stacking hand-held out in the field with live invertebrate subjects, so you don't have to use a tripod. That said, if your subject is in a suitable position (where you can reach with the tripod) and stays there long enough (not a problem with flowers of course) you may find it much easier with a tripod. If you have an ordinary tripod you might want to start with a focus rail like the one you linked to and use it indoors with test subjects (it doesn't matter what) that you can put on a table, desk or somewhere else convenient. That would let you try out the basics of stacking to see how you get on with it (it is not to everyone's taste) before possibly spending rather more on specialised tripod.

Combinezp is a free stacking application. Zerene Stacker and Helicon Focus are paid for (one-off purchase) stacking applications. You might want to start with Combinezp to try out the basics. When you have used it a bit you will be better placed to understand the benefits that Zerene Stacker or Helicon Focus could provide and decide whether that would be worth paying for. And better placed to know whether stacking is something you find appealing and want to go deeper into.

 

[sk66]

You can just shift the focus using the focus ring instead. One method (the rail) keeps everything at the same magnification and the other doesn't, but it doesn't much matter and both introduce distortion/perspective changes that the stacking software has to adjust for.

 

[Dave Denby]

I have a focus rail, but to be honest I've only used it once for stacking. I generally just use the focus ring as SK66 suggests.
If there is some free software to get you started, I'd try a few subjects before investing in any kit or software. But once you see the stacked image appear on the screen, it can be quite addictive.
My largest stack was 52 image. This one was about 12

 

[cebrooker]

I bought that very focus sliding rail and got a refund, it is the biggest pile of rubbish. It works on a cam system but because it is so cheap and flimsy, the weight of a camera (admittedly my setup is relatively heavy) at an angle causes the cam to disengage and it just sticks. I would suggest spending a bit more on something better. I have a bag full of Neewer stuff and most is very good but that is horrible!