Zeiss Ikonta 127

[John 2]

This is an exercise in focus stacking. Something I have never tried before. Both taken with the Fuji X and the 60mm macro lens. The close up was made from three exposures. The full camera was made from five exposures. Both stacked in CS6 which seems to have done a good job. Lighting was from ambient light but in a conservatory and so I had both top and side lighting. White card to the left for fill in.

[Shadowman]

Nice capture.

[John 2]

Thanks John.

[Dave Humphries]

Darn good first try John, something I must have a go at one day

[mugge]

Love the picks. Love the B&W. I too must try this one day.

[gregj1763]

Really nice John, I love the first image, looks like I could reach in and pick it up. Great job

[bnnrcn]

Both very nice, loved #1

[John 2]

Thanks all for the comments. It was an interesting exercise in controlled circumstances at the time. I have never used it since. The real test would be to use the technique in the field on a flower or better still, a bug

Really nice John, I love the first image, looks like I could reach in and pick it up. Great job

Greg, I was both pleased and surprised at the 3D effect. The Fuji X is a good lens optically but I suspect that it is more down to the focal length and the stacking (no compromises?). Can anybody cast any light.

[Dave Humphries]

I was both pleased and surprised at the 3D effect. The Fuji X is a good lens optically but I suspect that it is more down to the focal length and the stacking (no compromises?). Can anybody cast any light.

I'll try ...

When I view this in the Lytebox full screen, the image of the Ikonta is displayed at about 7 inches tall, probably not too far off life-size.

I am also viewing it at a distance of 16-20 inches and the angle of view provided by the 60mm lens (and 1.5 'crop factor') is again probably quite close to having the real thing in front of me.

Especially when you add in the enhanced Depth of Field perception provided by focus stacking and the fact that we'd expect that subject to be basically colourless (monochrome), so it fools the brain even more to believe in a 3D object rather than a photograph of a camera.

Well done all round, Dave

[John 2]

Thank you Dave. I have a feeling you must be right. One for the book of knowledge although knowing me, I will have forgotten to remember it when I use the technique again.

[Dave Humphries]

One for the book of knowledge although knowing me, I will have forgotten to remember it when I use the technique again.

I can't even remember where I left it!

[John 2]

[thegman]

Excellent image John, +1 On Dave's comment about 3D look, the more you look at it you can almost touch it. Very impressive work.

[John 2]

Excellent image John, +1 On Dave's comment about 3D look, the more you look at it you can almost touch it. Very impressive work.

Thank you Gerry. I learned something.

[JBW]

When I start to explore studio work I hope to get this good. I should stipulate that I have no idea hop to do this type of stacking. But your shot has depth, clarity, tones, and interest. That to me is a good shot.

[John 2]

It's surprisingly easy Brian (says he that has only tried it once!). Working to the plane of your lens, you just take several exposures from front to back (or vice versa), moving the point of focus between each. However, although I'm give to understand that you can do it manually, really, you then need a piece of software to merge them all together. Photoshop does this if you have it and that is what I used however there are other independent programmes that do the job also.

[Wavelength]

Nicely done

[John 2]

Thank you Nandakumar.

[jcuknz]

I am happy to see that I am not the only one who finds dust on photo gear I shoot But then I was 'brought up' that a little bit of dirt hurts neither human or camera gear.

[John 2]

Thanks John. It is way past its best or put another way, it's totally knackered. I bought it at a charity auction and it is just for display.