this post was submitted on 12 Jan 2024
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This was mainly a test of the software for me, but the result came out so much better than I expected. Raw editing in darktable and focused stacked using ChimpStackr, two amazing foss pieces of software.

Shot on an Olympus E-M5 Mark II + 12-40 Pro

Here's a bonus fluorite with galena on matrix

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I read focus snacking and thought this was a coffee cake for far longer than I'm proud to admit.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

I also love focus snacking

[–] [email protected] 5 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Incredible pics! That technique looks like it works very well to capture detail for the whole subject.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I was very surprised. I searched for a free focus stacking application multiple times with few results and lots of recommendations for paid software. With how little chimpstackr is recommended, I expected poor results, but it did noticeably better than Olympus's own raw editing software.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

If Olympus is anything like Nikon, their software isn't that great. It's almost like they expect you to use commercial offerings. IMO, the only nice thing with Nikon's offering is that it will show you focus information (what it was trying to focus on, if it though it had achieved focus, etc). Sony doesn't offer any software at all, but you'll get a free capture one express license.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, OM Workspace is the editor you get with Olympus/OM System cameras. Admittedly, I didn't use it very much, but I get the sense it isn't top tier. I'm just so thankful that there are great open source options.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

Darktable is great. I don’t take photos of things that would benefit from focus stacking, but I’m going to take note of the repo. Thanks for sharing!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 7 months ago (1 children)

That is the weirdest taco I've ever seen.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

Infinity taco

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Really nice work. Obvious questions:

  • How many photos were being stacked?
  • Was it just manually adjusted focus from a fixed (tripod?) position, or were you using something to physically move the camera in increments or other methods?
[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Thanks!

The vanadinite (red) was 26 photos and the fluorite (green) was 50

I used the focus bracketing mode on my camera. I specify the number of shots to take and how much the focus changes between shots. One shutter press and my camera automatically takes all of the photos and adjusts the focus for me.

And this setup I only put my camera and the rock on a table next to a window. I still need to buy a tripod, but it's hard to justify spending more soon after buying a camera...

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Thank you!

Not that I've seriously done stacking, but one thing that might help (based on long exposure experiments instead) is a shutter release cable, assuming your camera has a socket for such. It can reduce the vibration from manually pressing the actual shutter button, and may save the first few shots of your sequence. If your camera is wi-fi connected, you may have an app to do the same.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I took them using remote shutter through WiFi+phone app. The tripod comment was more to be able to frame and get better angles.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

Good, that will do it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

Dude, this is awesome.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Never heard of ChimpStackr, I'll have to try it for my macros, desperately need more dof there

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

It was so much easier than I expected it to be. Essentially automatic. If you try it out, I'd love to see your results.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

I hunger for the gem taco

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

Forbidden cake

[–] mindbleach 1 points 7 months ago

Forbidden taco.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

Looks like cooked chicken served with cubes of jello on top.