StackShot Step Distance Guide for Canon 6D & 65mm MP-E

Just bought that first macro lens? Post here to get helpful feedback and answers to any questions you might have.

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myxomop
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StackShot Step Distance Guide for Canon 6D & 65mm MP-E

Post by myxomop »

Hello Photomacrographers,

I recently purchased a StackShot, which I have just set up and am about to use for the first time. I'm having a bit of trouble determining the ideal step distances in Auto-Dist mode. I started by consulting the Quick Start guide which came with the unit, which simply said to select a distance by multiplying DOF * 0.75. I then found this much more comprehensive equation/explanation:

http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... hp?t=14495

though it pertains to a Canon 40D, which has a smaller sensor. What part of the equation at that post would need to change to reflect my larger sensor, and is there an easier cheat sheet out there specifically for my camera and lens combo?

Many Thanks,

-Danny
MACRO:
Olympus OM-D E-M1X, Olympus M.Zuiko 30mm f/3.5 ED, OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO, Gitzo GT2540EX Tripod, Acratech GV2 Ballhead, 2x Ulanzi VL49 Rechargeable Mini LED Lights, Ulanzi LED Full-Color Photography Light Wand

MICRO:
Trinocular Olympus BHS, SPlan 4x, 10x, 20x, 40x (1.25 N.A.), SPlanApo 100x Oil (1.4 N.A.), BH2-AAC Aplanatic-Achromatic 1.4 N.A Brightfield Condenser, WHK 10x 20 L Eyepieces, NFK 2.5× LD 125 Photo Eyepiece, Diagnostic Instruments PA1-10A SLR Camera Adapter, Canon 6D

rjlittlefield
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Post by rjlittlefield »

Our collective understanding of DOF has matured over the years.

Part of that understanding is that when stopped down to the edge of diffraction blurring, which we almost always should be when focus stacking, there's a very effective way to calculate DOF that depends solely on diffraction and does not involve anything about sensor size.

Tables based on that method can be found at https://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker/d ... romicrodof .

Sensor size does play a role in using the tables, but only by simultaneously suggesting what aperture setting you should be using, and what DOF you'll get at that aperture.

--Rik

ChrisR
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Post by ChrisR »

Table 2A here should help:
https://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker/d ... romicrodof

DO experiment. Try too small a step, then stack just every second frame, then every third, etc so you'll see the effect.
Chris R

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