Focus Shift Shooting with the Nikon Z7 and 105mm f/2.8 VR Micro-Nikkor
None of my previous cameras had the focus shift feature so I decided to give it a try today. We had great light and my wife's flowers are in full bloom and made for good test subjects. There was a very slight breeze but the alignment seems to have done a good job with the slight movement between frames. If you don't know what focus shift shooting is you can read a bit about Nikon's implementation here. Essentially, the camera will take a series of exposures while slightly adjusting the focus between each frame. This allows a razor thin plane of focus to actually move through the subject thus getting it all in sharp focus. You need to stack the files into a single image using post processing techniques, today I tried this in Photoshop and Zerene Stacker. I had better results in Photoshop but admittedly I'm a rookie with Zerene.
One thing to note, despite having a very fast computer, processing 30 or so images, each a 45 megapixel raw file, brought the PC to its knees :) Might be time for another upgrade. I did four stacks with Photoshop and I'm sharing my Zerene shots at the end, they have issues.
I think all of the flowers shown here are varieties of dhalia.
Detail
Flower 2
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Flower 3 (my favorite one)
Detail
Black and white conversion. Might need a bit more work but that is all the time I have today for editing :)
Detail
A couple of samples with Zerene. I tried both the DMap and PMax types but preferred the Photoshop stack to either. The DMap one has some very strange artifacts in the OOF areas, no idea why.
Vancouver Aquarium Macro
I have been to the Vancouver Aquarium many times before and always enjoy the visit. Today I took my six year old twins once again, and brought along my macro lens for some shots. Before we left the house, I noticed some of our flowers had recently been covered by rain. 
Even though the tanks and displays don't change too often, you always witness new and interesting behaviour by the animals that live there. It's always worth a return visit.
The best part of our visit today was that there were many butterflies on display in the tropical section. The kids loved it.
October Flowers & Mushrooms
Today, when I took the dogs for a walk I decided to bring my camera along. I haven't had very much opportunities to use it recently and needed to get my photo fix in somehow. We have had a very mild fall in Vancouver and there are still plenty of flowers in the neighbourhood. I also came across some mushrooms, and even a few critters.
My route with the dogs
The flowers, I can't believe we still have this many at the end of October!
Some mushrooms
These flowers are still growing in my yard. Maybe this global warming thing isn't so bad ;)
Some of the critters.
Vancouver May Flowers
Apparently the May long weekend is a busy time for gardening in Vancouver. Our tulips have already come and gone, but there is always something in bloom. I took a few shots while my wife was busy in the garden. Nikon D800 with a 105mm f/2.8 VR Micro lens.
A Frosty Morning - Nikon D800 Macro with Focus Stack
I was waiting for a frosty morning to get some macro shots. Today, I got a few in my back yard. I also attempted some focus stacking with Zerene, though results are mixed. Shots are all taken with a Nikon D800 and Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR Micro lens.
Nikon D800 Macro with Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR
Today I got my Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR lens back from a friend who borrowed it. Since I haven't used it for a while I decided to bring it with me on my beach walk at Acadia Beach in Vancouver. It was a cold morning and I was hoping to get some interesting macro shots of frost but I didn't find any. I did take a few photos but I'll have to try another day to get some frost.
All shots hand-held, ISO800, processed in Lightroom.
Photo: Baby Jellyfish
a macro photo of a tiny baby jellyfish. You can see its reflection in the water's surface. Taken at the Vancouver Aquarium.
PHOTO: Hoverfly
This is a hoverfly, which mimics a bee as a defense mechanism. The shot is actually a composite of several shots all with different focus, then stacked using Zerene Stacker. I have a bit more info at my post here.