Focus stacking has flaws. This uncommon gadget is designed to battle them for higher macro – and it really works with practically any digital camera system

Getting up near a topic creates a skinny slice of focus – making getting sharp pictures a longstanding problem for macro photographers. But an uncommon new gadget from Novoflex goals to sort out the longstanding problem by integrating each a macro bellows and a spotlight rail for a system designed to battle a few of the downsides to focus stacking.

Focus stacking is a longstanding approach for sharper macro pictures that takes a number of images at completely different focal factors and merges them collectively for a sharper shot. While the method fixes the slim depth of area in macro images, minor fluctuations within the lens generally known as focus respiration could cause shifts in views that may degrade the outcomes with artifacts, which is especially problematic when working with product images.

That’s why Novoflex has designed an uncommon gadget designed to permit the lens to stay in the very same place all through the complete focusing stack. The Novoflex StackPro 1 Universal Stacking Camera System merges a couple of completely different applied sciences into one to construct a setup geared particularly for focus stacking with fewer artifacts.

The Stackpro 1 mixes each a macro bellows and a motor-driven focus rail into one system. Pairing the 2 units into one system permits photographers to make use of focus stacking with out shifting the entrance of the lens. Instead, the motor and bellows work collectively to regulate the place of the digital camera, not the lens.

That helps avoid the perspective distortion caused by focus breathing. The company also says the system can help with the artifacts created by reflections when focus stacking, a common issue in product photography.

The Stackpro 1 can be used with a wide range of different mirrorless camera mounts, including Canon RF, Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm GFX, L-Mount, Phase One IQ3 and IQ4 digital backs, and Hasselblad X.

While the accessory work for multiple camera mounts, the system requires a medium format or large format lens because the imaging circles on full-frame and APS-C lenses are too small. A variety of bayonet mount adapters are available for the Stackpro 1, with the list of recommended lenses including 50mm or longer optics from Schneider, Rodenstock, Mamiya, and others.

The Novoflex Stackpro 1 is available in kits beginning at $4,849 / £2,750, with extra package choices out there with a bundled medium format lens.

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