I considered best to begin to learn processes of focus stack with a common fly, even though I have more colorful specimens in the freezer. First learn to walk, then to run.
In the first attempt, a Nikon CFi 4x Plan Achromat microscope objective was mounted on Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens with a UV filter, imaging to a small ASP-C sensor. Macro lens open to f2.8. Camera mounted vertically on bottom of tripod. Approx' 2x magnification. Focus was controlled by Canon's EOS utility vía humble windows based note-book computer.
The fly was placed on a peel of apple to give a fruity background. 91 focus slices were captured, at intervals of one mouse click on the >> button in the GUI of Canon's EOS utility software. 5 sec exp' with continuous lighting. But unknown to me, the peel was slowly arching: after the 91st capture, the fly finally fell from its fruity perch. If not, I would have continued for more depth of field.
Focus stacking processes were P-max & D-map with z stacker program. Considerable retouching in Z stacker and some in photo-shop. Yet the hairs do not quite convince me.
In the 2nd attempt, a Nikon CFi 10x Plan Achromat microscope objective was mounted on Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens with a UV filter, imaging to a small ASP-C sensor. Again, Macro lens open to f2.8 and camera mounted vertically on bottom of tripod. Approx' 5x magnification. Focus was controlled by Canon's EOS utility on humble windows based note-book computer.
127 focus slices were captured, at intervals of one mouse click on the >> button in the GUI of Canon's EOS utility software. 8 sec exp' with continuous lighting. Focus stacking process P-max & D-map with zerene stacker program. Retouching in Z stacker and some in photo-shop.
In this 2nd attempt at 5x, the fly was impaled on a typical sewing needle, fixed in turn to a spool of thread. Thus the fly faced upward, into the camera. But unfortuitously, the neighbors began a birthday party at this time. Highly excited children were jumping one floor below. At 5x, this made the fly vibrate. So it was necessary to wait for vibrations to subside before continuing to next focus slice. At the 127th capture, the camera battery finally died; if not, I would have continued to extend depth of field.
QUESTION: ¿what are probable causes of "streak" type artifacts in 5x photo?
possibly a stack of dead pixel from each focus slice? dust? help please! Lessons learned: mount subject more securely; limits of stacking software; dust problems; difficulty of manually positioning at 5x; vibration from party next door noticeable at 5x.
Comments, questions and considered opinions are greatly appreciated!
p.s. Is the first focus stack of a fly like a rite of passage?
