Focus Stack Comparison

A comparison of Helicon Focus and Zerene Stacker results of focus stacking a Cylindropuntia flower. Helicon Focus Method "C" and Zerene Stacker's PMax did the best job. The final, processed image is shown first. Then full images and detail images are presented. Other than resizing, no editing has been done on these images. On the full images, examine especially under the left side of the flower. On the detail images, check out the transition between the flower pedal and the piece of stem sticking out. The stack consisted of 55 images.

Variegated Cylindropuntia - Generated from Method C from Helicon Focus
Final Product.
Helicon Focus Method C - very clean!
Zerene Stacker PMax Method - very clean!
Zerene Stacker DMap Method - bad halo below flower
Helicon Focus Method A default settings - bad halo below flower
Helicon Focus Method A R-3 S-1 - haloing
Helicon Focus Method B R-3 S-1 - ugly halos
Helicon Focus Method B Default settings - bad halo below flower
Helicon Focus Method C - Nice!
Zerene Stacker PMax Method - Nice!
Helicon Focus, Method A R-3 S-1 - bad transition, haloing
Helicon Focus Method default settings - suboptimal transition
Method detail radius8 smoothing4 suboptimal transition
Zerene Stacker Dmap method - bad transition between leaf and stem
Helicon Focus Method B R-3 S-1 - badddddd
Helicon Focus Method B default settings - bad transition
The default settings for Method B clean up some of the halos, but the transition is poor.

rickholmesphotos

Focus Stack Comparison