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In-camera focus-stacking

  
 
Imagemaster
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · In-camera focus-stacking


Are there any Canon mirrorless cameras older than the R6 II that can do in-camera focus-stacking?

Focus-stacking, not focus-bracketing. From what I can find, neither the R nor the RP can stack their bracketed images.
Nov 16, 2023 at 05:31 PM
lighthound
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · In-camera focus-stacking


I think the R6II was the first to offer that. Maybe R3 but not sure. I know the R5 doesn't which I'm sure you already knew.


Nov 16, 2023 at 07:24 PM
Jeff Nolten
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · In-camera focus-stacking


The R7 can composite a stack or bracket of images into a single JPEG image in body. Is this what your are asking?
Nov 16, 2023 at 07:40 PM
downhillonwater
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · In-camera focus-stacking


I always focus stack with Helicon Focus. Helicon, an inexpensive plug-in, enables creation of a stacked DNG file that has all the flexibility of a RAW. I strongly encourage you to give it a try since it is outstanding.


Nov 16, 2023 at 07:54 PM
Gochugogi
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · In-camera focus-stacking


lighthound wrote:
I think the R6II was the first to offer that. Maybe R3 but not sure. I know the R5 doesn't which I'm sure you already knew.

The R7, released June 2022, features focus bracketing with the composite image created automatically in-camera. So it beat the R6 MK II by about 6 months or so. Whatever, I use and love the feature on both cameras. I mostly use it for macro but it also works well for many landscapes (if not windy).
Nov 16, 2023 at 07:57 PM
Imagemaster
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · In-camera focus-stacking


Jeff Nolten wrote:
The R7 can composite a stack or bracket of images into a single JPEG image in body. Is this what your are asking?

Yes, it that the only model?
Nov 16, 2023 at 08:36 PM
Imagemaster
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · In-camera focus-stacking


downhillonwater wrote:
I always focus stack with Helicon Focus. Helicon, an inexpensive plug-in, enables creation of a stacked DNG file that has all the flexibility of a RAW. I strongly encourage you to give it a try since it is outstanding.

Thanks, but I am aware of that at not the least bit interested in spending more time post-processing.

Handheld in-camera focus-stacking is so much easier and faster, and gives me results that I am happy enough with.




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Nov 16, 2023 at 08:48 PM
Jeff Nolten
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · In-camera focus-stacking


Imagemaster wrote:
Yes, it that the only model?

I think you know your R6II can do it. The R5, M6II and 90D can create a stack of RAWs, but I believe the R7 and R10 were the first to composite in body. All subsequent bodies should do it.

Similarly, I think the M6II was the first body to do burst mode pre-capture now all newer R bodies can do it. And my trusty G1X3 (2017) was the first to build a panorama in-body and now the R7/10 and subsequent bodies have this feature.

These three features make the R7 such a fun camera to play with. On a recent visit to Montaņa de Oro SP I used the pre burst to pick the best wave breaking on the rocks, the panorama feature for beach and landscapes, and many focus stacks of flowers, beach pebbles, and bugs. Combine this with the close focusing of many of the RF lenses it's hard to beat. IMHO The R6II can do all this as well.

Using Lightroom to send a stack of RAWs to Photoshop as layers gives me a lot more control over how deeply the focus goes into the distance. And does a nice job too. Note, there is a bug in PS that prevents it from loading all the layers if it is already running with other images. Quit PS between stacking operations.
Nov 17, 2023 at 10:20 AM
Imagemaster
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · In-camera focus-stacking


Thanks for the extra info Jeff.

I usually walk around with my R6 II & 100-500. For wider-angle shots, it is a pain swapping to another lens. It is easier for me to carry a second smaller camera/lens combo that will also do in-camera focus-stacking.

For all I need, I think the R50 will do at $1,000 less than an R7.
Nov 17, 2023 at 12:09 PM
Jeff Nolten
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · In-camera focus-stacking


Check the specs, but yes the R50 should do all that. Also check out the kit 18-150, kinda slow above 60mm but it focuses close up to 60 and is still f5.6. Still fairly sharp at 150. A 1.5 lb carry for R50 + 18-150. Or for more weight and cost the 14-35 L focuses close and is excellent on both FF and APS-C. I've been using my G1X3, 1 lb, 15-45 lens, 24 MP APS-C, as a similar 2nd body. Doesn't do focus stacking however, but excellent lens.

Let us know what you decide on as a secondary carry. Everyone has their main interest but there is little discussion about accessory lenses and cameras. I would find this interesting.
Nov 17, 2023 at 07:15 PM
 


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Imagemaster
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · In-camera focus-stacking


Since in-camera focus-stacking is such a useful option, it seems very lame of Canon not to be emphasizing it more.
The Advanced User Guide does not even refer to it as focus-stacking, only focus-bracketing. Big difference.

I just ordered it with the kit 18-45 lens, but I can also use my RF 24-105 f7.1.
Nov 17, 2023 at 11:28 PM
vbnut
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · In-camera focus-stacking


The R3 can do focus bracketing and in-camera compositing too, but if you're looking for smaller 2nd camera the R3 isn't it.
Nov 18, 2023 at 01:22 AM
Jeff Nolten
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · In-camera focus-stacking


Imagemaster wrote:
The Advanced User Guide does not even refer to it as focus-stacking, only focus-bracketing. Big difference.

The G1X3 does what I would call focus bracketing. In manual focus mode it will acquire three shots with the focus shifted fore and aft of the set position. Similar in setup to exposure bracketing. I haven't found it useful since the increments are small and I rarely use MF.

I find stacking a very handy feature which was the killer app that convinced me to go mirrorless.


Nov 18, 2023 at 09:31 AM
downhillonwater
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · In-camera focus-stacking




Imagemaster wrote:
Thanks, but I am aware of that at not the least bit interested in spending more time post-processing.



It takes less than 5 minutes to import, focus stack, and do some global adjustments in Lightroom. Just saying.....
Nov 18, 2023 at 10:55 AM
Gochugogi
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · In-camera focus-stacking


downhillonwater wrote:
It takes less than 5 minutes to import, focus stack, and do some global adjustments in Lightroom. Just saying.....

Sheesh, you're friggen Super Stacker. Took me at least 30 minutes per image of dickin' around to get it right.
Nov 18, 2023 at 11:41 AM
Gochugogi
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · In-camera focus-stacking


Imagemaster wrote:
Since in-camera focus-stacking is such a useful option, it seems very lame of Canon not to be emphasizing it more.
The Advanced User Guide does not even refer to it as focus-stacking, only focus-bracketing. Big difference.

I just ordered it with the kit 18-45 lens, but I can also use my RF 24-105 f7.1.

Canon has their own corporate lingo they don't use the term "stacking." They prefer compositing which makes more sense as a term since you're blending or merging images, not stacking them. So when you search the manual under stacking you get nothing. Another Canon term which befuddled me was their use of "limit AF areas" for AF patterns of spot, single point, expanded, etc.
Nov 18, 2023 at 11:50 AM
Imagemaster
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · In-camera focus-stacking


downhillonwater wrote:
It takes less than 5 minutes to import, focus stack, and do some global adjustments in Lightroom. Just saying.....

Just saying it takes less than a minute to wait for the camera to do it, plus I can check the stacked image in the camera before wandering off to take other photos. Plus, I still have the option of stacking in post-processing. The best of both worlds for me.
Nov 18, 2023 at 12:50 PM
Imagemaster
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · In-camera focus-stacking


Gochugogi wrote:
Canon has their own corporate lingo they don't use the term "stacking." They prefer compositing which makes more sense as a term since you're blending or merging images, not stacking them. So when you search the manual under stacking you get nothing. Another Canon term which befuddled me was their use of "limit AF areas" for AF patterns of spot, single point, expanded, etc.

Regardless the term 'stacking' or 'compositing', Canon could still make it clearer that you get a final composited image in the camera. Instead of the wishy, washy:

For better clarity they should have said: ..... enable you to create a single image IN THE CAMERA that is in focus over.......
Nov 18, 2023 at 01:00 PM
Jeff Nolten
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · In-camera focus-stacking


Lightroom uses the term stack to refer to hiding a bunch of images from the same raw under one thumbnail. Scared me when I first used their new denoise tool and couldn't find the original CR3. It was hidden under the denoised DNG. You have to unstack to see it.

I agree with IM and prefer Focus Stack as in the stack of layers I'm blending or compositing in PS. Canon's user manuals are as often confusing as helpful even if you can find the topic in the index. I've spent as much time looking for a topic in the manuals as it takes me to stack and blend images in PS. -- When it works, I've also spent most of a day editing the individual layer masks to try to get a clean composite.


Nov 18, 2023 at 01:37 PM
Gochugogi
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · In-camera focus-stacking


Even if Canon's manuals were written with perfect clarity, other than a few photo nerds on FM, few would folks actually read them. Sadly, modern reading comprehension is weak and most folks want instructional videos. I belong to several FB Canon groups and the most common questions from new users with $1500 to $6000 R series cameras are covered in the Quick Start manual with lots of labeled diagrams and numbered steps. They just don't bother to crack the manual.

I ran across the compositing and focus bracketing features by cruising the TAB menus of my R7 and looked them up in the manual afterwards. Seemed clear enough to me an d it took only a minute to test drive. I love the feature but realistically it's a niche feature typical users won't use for their portraits, weddings and sports. I like landscapes, wee critters and macro so it's a major feature for me. The other niche feature I love on the R7 is auto leveling for video and stills. I even assigned it to a button I use it so much for video (I live on the ocean so horizons are a big deal). Love the smooth gimbal like alignment it yields, albeit most R7 users don't even know IBIS based auto leveling exists! Very disappointed Canon omitted auto leveling from the R6 MK II.
Nov 18, 2023 at 02:30 PM







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