Not opened very much

[chauncey]

Allow me to explain my reasoning behind the scenes Kodiac.

It's probability insignificant but f/11 seems to give me better IQ, by just a hair, than does f/8,
SS was governed by a LV histogram using SS to move it toward the right after dialing in ISO 100,
the long SS wasn't a concern as my tripod is sturdy and I used a remote,
I did use 68 mm of extension tubes as I knew that photomerge was in the game plan.

Actual shoot...I took slices of each of the stigma/anthers and stacked them individually then did a
panorama series, with little thought as to how it looked, that was an error, then assembled it all.

I'm becoming more dissatisfied with the stacking ability of PS CC and it's artifacts...requires an
excessive amount of repair work which was neglected on this image.

Tomorrow evening I'm expecting a Camranger...shooting tethered might improve things beyond
manually rotating the ring and...will be trying another stacking program.

Wish me luck in that regard.

[Kodiak]

Wish me luck in that regard, KodiaK..

My "best of luck" wishes you have anyway, anytime, anyhow!

I'm becoming more dissatisfied with the stacking ability of PS CC and it's artifacts...requires an
excessive amount of repair work which was neglected on this image.

I think that you don't give yourself (and PS CC-that I don't use) much of
chance. I believe you should reconsider your working strategy before
buying any new equipment: a good strategy will reduce considerably
the amount of PP work and better support your effort as it will guide
you to better ways to invest your money.

John (Slipper) is right in his comment that the stacking may extend over
a limited depth within the subject.

Maybe, a good starting point would be some recent thread about stacking
and the equipment:

Balance your gear with a rail. and Miniature flowers, focus-stacked

Once again, the best of luck in your efforts Chauncey. ;-)

[Stagecoach]

One of the problems I have encountered before with stacking is that when undertaking this and stopping at some point within the depth the transition can look very unnatural with certain shapes/compositions.

I wonder if there is an advantage in taking the last (rear) slice with an aperture to give a greater DoF that will improve the merge into the OOF area?

Grahame

[Kodiak]

I wonder if there is an advantage in taking the last (rear) slice with an aperture to give a greater DoF that will improve the merge into the OOF area?

Damn good thinking!