Sigmon & Sadako Photography: Blog

Nikon D850 Focus Shift

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 05:46:20 GMT

The focus stacking (shift) feature on the Nikon D850 is a great feature. To test it out, I set up some product shots using a light box and the Nikon 105mm macro lens. In product photos below, the first photo is the first in a series of 11 shots using width 3. The photos that include the manual are 33 shots.

The process is much simpler than I had imagined from reading other descriptions.

You scroll to and open the Focus Shift Shooting option in the Photo Shooting Menu, choose the number of shots you want the camera to make, choose the width of each shot's focus, leave interval timer at 0, leave exposure smoothing off if exposure is constant, decide if you want photos stored in a separate folder (I did not for simplicity), turn Silent photography ON. Then focus slightly in front of your subject, highlight Start and press OK. The camera does the rest.

I used https://www.heliconsoft.com/heliconsoft-products/helicon-focus/ to process the 11 or 33 images for each final shot.

The results are impressive - better than I could have done with a tilt/shift lens or a view camera with swings and tilts.

The first two photos are the setup. I used a light box with built in leds from Amazon. Cost - $26.

Give it a try. Honestly, getting the lighting right was harder than using the focus stacking feature!

The SetupLightbox $26 at Amazon.

The first of the 11 shots Stacked First shot Stacked First shot Stacked First shot Stacked First shot Stacked First shot Stacked First shot Stacked First shot of 33 Stacked First shot of 33 Stacked First shot of 11 Stacked First shot of 11

Simple Portrait Setup

Mon, 19 Sep 2016 23:29:06 GMT

Here are a few portraits made using the simple setup in the last photo. Window light on one side and a reflector on the other. Overhead light turned on (halogen so same color temperature as daylight) to highlight the hair. A dark blue blanket hung on the wall. The light fall off turns it black. A simple setup anyone can do! Try it.

San Simeon Pier

Fri, 02 Sep 2016 06:23:58 GMT

At San Simeon Pier today, we saw this hawk chasing the turkey vulture. The vulture apparently had ventured into the hawks territory and the hawk wasn't having any of it. The hawk flew around making sure the vulture did not return. San Simeon Pier CA San Simeon Pier CA San Simeon Pier CA San Simeon Pier CA

I'm published

Sat, 20 Aug 2016 06:19:28 GMT

Imagine my surprise, which quickly turned to delight, when I turned the page in my newly arrived Festival of the Cranes 2016 book and saw my picture being used - with credit!! At first, I thought, "That shot looks familiar.". Then I saw my name and realized it was mine! My first published shot with credit in a nationally distributed magazine! I do love this photograph of Matthew. He is so dedicated and pasionate about his birds and I think this shot captures that.

Blog

Sun, 26 Jun 2016 19:49:53 GMT

Please check back. Blog coming soon.

Sigmon