Thanks for the exemplary demonstration on manual focus stacking, Mark! I have been trying for quite sometime to learn how to do this and no one else seems interested in teaching it. Many thanks!!
Very interesting! Even though I am a big macro fan, I have never tried that! If I am using a manual focus macro lens I would usually use a manual focus rail. I picked up the new NOVOFLEX CASTEL-M FOCUSING RAIL RACK (CASTEL-M) which is designed to be used up to 5x and while it is very expensive, it is super fun to use like you mentioned in this video about manual stacking. Well done video!!
Thanks! The focusing rail/rack system looks really interesting, and seems like it would be a great way to avoid a lot of the usual problems with focus stacking, like focus breathing and focal length changes at close focusing distances. I can only go 1:1 magnification with my current lens, so 5x is also very appealing. From what I have seen, Novoflex seem to make some very nice products.
I didn't know it was a problem for some cameras. I use a Canon R, as well as R7 in manual focus. I use the touch screen to tell it where to focus. I take how ever many shots I think I need and blend them together in my editing program (Luminar). It couldn't be simpler.
Hi, loved the vid, and you have inspired me to try manual focus next time, I too thought it was alot harder to manual focus stack but you made it seem really easy. I subscribed aswell
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Hearing that even one person has watched a video and thought “I’m going to go out and try that” makes the video worthwhile. Cheers!
I used to manual stack using a laowa 90mm 2x macro(manual lens)with focus peaking on. Works pretty well, though focus breathing was an issue. Plan on buying it again for z mount for insect's. The z105 seems to be better in terms of focus breathing.
I often find myself wanting something that magnifies more than the lens I have, and I hear good things of the Laowa lenses. With focus breathing I’ve sometimes got good results by stacking the images in pairs, and then stacking those results in pairs, and so on until I narrow it down to a single frame.
You raise an interesting point. There's some interesting physics going on around how lenses deal with that issue, and how the focal length of macro lenses can change quite significantly as the magnification changes, but yes, I've found that it can cause problems with focus stacking. The thing I've noticed most is that light objects against a dark background, especially where the stacking is particularly deep, can exhibit a kind of blooming, or halo, most visible around the light areas. One approach I find can sometimes help is to stack in small batches of adjacent images (sometimes even only two at a time), and then take the results of those stacks and re-stack them, repeating the process until I narrow it down to a single pair, and finally stack those into the final image. It's a bit of a faff, admittedly, but can sometimes work. Failing that, I find it's a case of tidying up the edges in Photoshop/Affinity/etc. And yes, those red things are quite beautiful, aren't they?!
@@MarkMorganPhotography Thanks for the reply! wow that is a great way of tackling the problem, I just had a go at it today after watching your video, and I had a slight halo over part of the image. I ended up using generative fill and painting with blend mode set to color blendmode haha. Great tip, perhaps you should do a video on that if you haven't already :) thanks again! :D
For us poor people, manual focus stacking is the only way. you can do alot with 3 stills that work together. Real hit or miss though. I will use f11 when I try though
Hi Mark. I am really enjoying your work and style of vlogging, it's really informative. I have a Z 6ii and I'm just waiting for a used Sigma 105 macro lens from MPB to be delivered, sadly I couldn't afford the new Z 105 macro that looks amazing. I understand that the Sigma will be compatible with the focus shift shooting function on the Z 6ii, but I have also found this manual focus video very interesting too. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to more videos in the future 👍
Hi Clive, I used a borrowed Sigma 105 to copy some old negatives a couple of years ago before I had my own lens, and I will say that I was delighted with the results, so hopefully you will be too. I only got the Nikon in one of those late night "Should I, shouldn't I?" hasty buying decisions! Glad you're enjoying the videos, cheers!
Thanks for the exemplary demonstration on manual focus stacking, Mark! I have been trying for quite sometime to learn how to do this and no one else seems interested in teaching it. Many thanks!!
You are most welcome. I just like to share the process, and hope that it’s useful!
Very interesting! Even though I am a big macro fan, I have never tried that! If I am using a manual focus macro lens I would usually use a manual focus rail. I picked up the new NOVOFLEX CASTEL-M FOCUSING RAIL RACK (CASTEL-M) which is designed to be used up to 5x and while it is very expensive, it is super fun to use like you mentioned in this video about manual stacking. Well done video!!
Thanks! The focusing rail/rack system looks really interesting, and seems like it would be a great way to avoid a lot of the usual problems with focus stacking, like focus breathing and focal length changes at close focusing distances. I can only go 1:1 magnification with my current lens, so 5x is also very appealing. From what I have seen, Novoflex seem to make some very nice products.
A very instructive video, as usual, Mark. Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you, you are very welcome!
Lovely pictures that shows the benefit of photo stacking. Manually focusing gives more of control which is good 🙂
Thanks very much! I agree, it does indeed give more control.
I didn't know it was a problem for some cameras. I use a Canon R, as well as R7 in manual focus. I use the touch screen to tell it where to focus. I take how ever many shots I think I need and blend them together in my editing program (Luminar). It couldn't be simpler.
I must admit I’m not familiar with the Canons at all, but it sounds like you’ve totally got your technique sorted 👍
Nice work. This type of photography is one I enjoy frequently. Thanks for sharing
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it!
Coole Bilder - Besten Dank für's mitnehmen und erklären. Gruss aus der Schweiz
Vielen Dank! And greetings from England!
Hi, loved the vid, and you have inspired me to try manual focus next time, I too thought it was alot harder to manual focus stack but you made it seem really easy. I subscribed aswell
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Hearing that even one person has watched a video and thought “I’m going to go out and try that” makes the video worthwhile. Cheers!
I used to manual stack using a laowa 90mm 2x macro(manual lens)with focus peaking on. Works pretty well, though focus breathing was an issue. Plan on buying it again for z mount for insect's. The z105 seems to be better in terms of focus breathing.
I often find myself wanting something that magnifies more than the lens I have, and I hear good things of the Laowa lenses. With focus breathing I’ve sometimes got good results by stacking the images in pairs, and then stacking those results in pairs, and so on until I narrow it down to a single frame.
@@MarkMorganPhotography thanks for the tip. Yea the Laowa 90mm 2.8 2X ultra macro is razor sharp, beautiful build too. Worth a look.
The focus breathing on that lens is huge. Does this make stacking things harder? Lovely photo of the red things btw! :D
You raise an interesting point. There's some interesting physics going on around how lenses deal with that issue, and how the focal length of macro lenses can change quite significantly as the magnification changes, but yes, I've found that it can cause problems with focus stacking. The thing I've noticed most is that light objects against a dark background, especially where the stacking is particularly deep, can exhibit a kind of blooming, or halo, most visible around the light areas. One approach I find can sometimes help is to stack in small batches of adjacent images (sometimes even only two at a time), and then take the results of those stacks and re-stack them, repeating the process until I narrow it down to a single pair, and finally stack those into the final image. It's a bit of a faff, admittedly, but can sometimes work. Failing that, I find it's a case of tidying up the edges in Photoshop/Affinity/etc. And yes, those red things are quite beautiful, aren't they?!
@@MarkMorganPhotography Thanks for the reply! wow that is a great way of tackling the problem, I just had a go at it today after watching your video, and I had a slight halo over part of the image. I ended up using generative fill and painting with blend mode set to color blendmode haha. Great tip, perhaps you should do a video on that if you haven't already :)
thanks again! :D
@@DynastyUK I'm saving those indoor video ideas for the day when I inevitably trip over a tree stump and sprain my ankle 😂
@@MarkMorganPhotography HAHA! Well hopefully I never see it uploaded in that case! ;)
For us poor people, manual focus stacking is the only way. you can do alot with 3 stills that work together. Real hit or miss though. I will use f11 when I try though
It does work though! 🙂👍
Hi Mark. I am really enjoying your work and style of vlogging, it's really informative. I have a Z 6ii and I'm just waiting for a used Sigma 105 macro lens from MPB to be delivered, sadly I couldn't afford the new Z 105 macro that looks amazing. I understand that the Sigma will be compatible with the focus shift shooting function on the Z 6ii, but I have also found this manual focus video very interesting too. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to more videos in the future 👍
Hi Clive, I used a borrowed Sigma 105 to copy some old negatives a couple of years ago before I had my own lens, and I will say that I was delighted with the results, so hopefully you will be too. I only got the Nikon in one of those late night "Should I, shouldn't I?" hasty buying decisions! Glad you're enjoying the videos, cheers!