Focus Stacking Software
The focus stacking software I have found convenient are Zerene
Stacker, Helicon Focus, and Photoshop CS5, and in that order.
These all work more or less well.
Photoshop CS5 is a great improvement over CS4 but the program
is still not ready for prime time as regards focus stacking and that is
an understatement.
Both Zerene Stacker and Helicon Focus work well and both are
available in a demo version so I suggest you try them. I suggest
getting the 64-bit versions of either program if your computer will
handle it and you value your time.
By all means get the 64-bit versions which are $289 from Zerene
Stacker and $250 from Helicon Focus. I have tried and purchased
both of these packages and have done (relatively speaking) a lot of
focus stacking. Both companies have fine software.
That being said, my personal preference is very much with Zerene
Stacker and I have a couple of reasons. One is that the retouch
feature in Zerene Stacker is much better than that in Helicon Focus
IMO. And retouch is the name of the game the deeper you go into
stacking focus. Why?
The reason is simple. Focus stacking is a sampling technique much
like digital music CDs sample from an analog base. By definition all
samples are just that, “samples” and that means something is not
sampled or left out. In the case of focus stacking what is left out
tends to cause unwanted artifacts to appear that detract from and
can ruin a stacked photo. So as much as I originally resisted
retouching any stacked photo, over time I have accepted that it has
to be done. After all, most of us accept quite easily that we have to
fiddle with white balance and other factors in post prepossessing.
Retouching is the same idea. Therefore a very easy-to-use
retouching method as in Zerene Stacker is worth a lot to me. It is
really a brilliant solution.
My second reason is that the support and hand-holding from the
Zerene Stacker staff is exemplary and I have been in the software
business for a long time (second only to Microsoft on the Internet)
and run a software company full-time. I am sure the other