nhmorgan wrote:
2) provides focus stacking in NX studio that factors in focus breathing compensation for Nikon lenses and means that I no longer have to pay for helicon focus software. Photoshop's focus stacking remains terrible.
What are the odds that Nikon implements better than Adobe such a complex software feature in a free software?
Cheers,
Bernard
If it’s the same as the odds that small companies like Helicon or Zerene can make better focus stacking software than adobe then it’s 100%.
If adobe wanted to prioritize better focus stacking they certainly could, but there have been no improvements to it in a long time and it is definitely one of the weaker options for stacking images. I think your framing misses that point.
Nikon doesn’t seem to put much energy into their software either, because as I mentioned above, for whatever reason, their pixel shift processing takes forever, even on a high end computer. Maybe it’s just no Mac optimized and that’s the issue, but either way, it’s the sole reason I don’t like to use my Nikon when I need to use pixel shift in studio (which is a lot).
I guess you missed the free part.
And until proven otherwise I am not convinced that Adobe could. They haven’t been able to catch up the much smaller DxO in NR after years of trying, are still so far behind PTgui in stitching that it isn’t even funny,… example abounds where it takes the dedication of a small group of dedicated software experts whose income depends on it to create top performing software in niche areas.
I have in depth personal experience that makes me estimate the ratio at around 5~10 to 1 in terms of how many more software engineers a large team needs vs a start up one staffed with passionate experts to achieve similar results.
And this is where the free part plays a decisive role. Decision makers are quick to kill internal projects that fail to achieve convincing results when they realize the cost structure vs the null income being generated. And engineers are quick to understand that such projects aren’t the best way to get promoted.
Anyways the facts very clearly back up my views. But please keep hoping. In the mean time I’ll keep using my Helicon focus license.
Cheers,
Bernard
Jul 06, 2025 at 10:41 PM
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