This is a slick commercial package, with a very user friendly. For several years now, advanced technologies such as HDR and EDoF have been paving the way for a world where stacked images are the norm. Zerene Stacker uses whatever color space you have chosen and returns the same. This is a powerful piece of editing software. Helicon Focus just converts them internally.
#Zerene focus stacker compared to helicon focus software#
This can really help in some cases where there's complex, overlapping morphology. This program is free and can give good results. Below are two premium options for those looking for a more comprehensive piece of software for their stacking needs.
![zerene focus stacker compared to helicon focus zerene focus stacker compared to helicon focus](https://i.imgur.com/KNhWf48.jpg)
Regarding the editing capabilities of these programs that you said you may not need, on very good function is the capability of manually retouching details from one layer onto the final stack. Helicon has accurate color renditioning, state-of-the-art algorithm processes, and more. Now, you can use Photoshop and Lightroom to merge your images together but. I use Zerene, developed by Rik Littlefield, who is extremely knowledgeable and always helpful over at . Helicon Focus was designed for macro and micro photography. If you want a little more than that you can check out my Helicon Focus Mini-course. A 10x 0.25 objective needs about a 0.0088mm step size. About pricing, the policy for Zerene Stacker is similar in concept to many other software packages that are free for noncommercial purposes but require a license for commercial use. And make sure you use appropriately small steps. One feature that may not be immediately evident: a powerful retouching capability is provided at all levels of Zerene Stacker, but in Helicon Focus only in Pro. It's usually best to capture images from the midpoint and up, so to speak. If you haven't stacked microscopic subjects before (or any subjects, for that matter) I wouldn't rule out the possibility that your pictures might be the limiting factor, not the software.īecausee many microscopic subjects are semi-transparent, the stacking algorithm can get confused if you try to stack images with overlaying details.
![zerene focus stacker compared to helicon focus zerene focus stacker compared to helicon focus](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UcWYh5W9TZQ/UjgiEV6pC7I/AAAAAAAAAHk/1j7utleHuqU/s1600/Chrysogaster+solstitialis+compare.jpg)
That said, you do need to be a bit careful when taking the pictures. Stacking very often improves things dramatically, even if you're only using three or four images.