You will need a tablet or notebook to process the focus stack. The StackShot comes with a controller that has an optional battery. You can use any calculator that allows you to set the Circle of Confusion size (the ideal is the distance between two photo sites, I use 0.005mm), focal length of the lens, distance to the subject, and f/stop.
#HELICON REMOTE FOR IOS PRO#
Yes, you need a good DOF calculator (I use VWDOF which is a windows calculator) and I use a Microsoft Surface Pro running Nikon Camera Control Pro 2 with a USB cable attached to the D800. I think I'm leaning towards Zerene because I like the results more. Zerene is cheaper but Helicon can do more. Both Zerene and Helicon are available on a trial basis.
#HELICON REMOTE FOR IOS ANDROID#
If the stacked image looks OK, you can repeat this using your RAW files.Īccording to the Helicon web site, they support both Android and IOS also. If yours is not, try to create a focus stack using RAW+JPG and process the JPG files. My laptop is powerful enough so I can use RAW files. When it's done, I load it into Helicon and perform the merging. I setup the camera and plug this information into the StackShot controller and start my focus stacking. Then I use a DOF calculator to determine what my depth of field (circle of confusion of 0.005mm). My Helicon workflow starts with finding the starting and ending point of the focus stack. Since I only use Helicon Focus for merging, I don't really need Helicon Remote. I mostly use Photoshop CS6 to do focus stacking but I will purchase Helicon or Zerene to do the complicated jobs. Zerene is not so picky but it doesn't process RAW images like Helicon. The only issue I had with Helicon is that its very picky with exposure. After you decide you want to continue, you might look into a StackShot or some sort of macro-rail. Using Helicon is a cheap way to find out if you really like macro-photography.
Focus stacking using Helicon works after a fashion but it can not get the precise control that using an automatic rail (StackShot) will get you. When you run Helicon, it recognizes your camera. You plug the USB port of the laptop into the USB port in the Camera (with me it is the Nikon D800 and the D600). I've seen it used with a and a Windows Notebook and a MacBook. I use Helicon with a MS Surface Pro (windows 8).