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 Replies: 7 / Views: 4,571 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
949 Posts |
As I sought info online on the technique and recommendations for focus stacking I found that most of the discussion is from naturalists seeking fine definition images for decidedly 3-dimensional subjects like bugs and flowers. Among these there is a decided preference for Zerene Stacker as the software of choice. Yet among this coin photo group, with its particular interest in flat objects of varying relief and generally more reflective surfaces, there seems to be a preference for Helicon Focus.
This made me wonder if there is something about the distinctiveness of the subject that makes one software more utilitarian than the other. It is not something I have the time, resources, or inclination to try to test for myself, so I put the question to the list:
What makes Helicon Focus preferential to Zerene Stacker for focus stacking in coin photography? (Please feel free to refute that premise as you see fit.) How likely am I as a user to run into the kind of work that makes the differences painfully obvious to me? (i.e. doubting the wisdom of my choice)
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Pillar of the Community
2087 Posts |
I believe Zerene stacker may actually be the better program(I have used it), but the Helicon soft ware has a much more user friendly interface. I use Helicon, simply because I like the interface better.
Edited by austrokiwi
05/16/2016 2:35 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4593 Posts |
I use Helicon because I was able to make it tether my Canon camera and StackShot.
-----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4038 Posts |
I custom-built my stacking rig using a Trinamic motor driver. Zerene does not support Trinamic, but Helicon does, so I use Helicon.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
949 Posts |
Thanks, guys.
Am I seeing a common thread here? I.e. that if I don't have or use an automated rail mechanism, such as a Cognisys StackShot, then both Helicon and Zerene might be overkill for handling my image stacking? To me they both looked a little more flexible/functional than Photoshop (which is all I have now).
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4038 Posts |
I'm not sure about Zerene, but for Helicon you need to purchase a more expensive license to cover Helicon Remote, which automates the stacking process. Helicon Focus, which is all you need to stack an existing group of photos, is cheaper.
I think both Zerene and Helicon offer trial versions. If you need a stack sequence to test the programs, let me know and I can email to you. Best way to decide is by trying them out. Are you already stacking now with Photoshop? I have not used it so can't comment, but why are you looking for alternatives?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4593 Posts |
Helicon Focus Pro ($55/year) includes Helicon Remote - no up charge... Lite ($30/year) does not include remote, except as a low-res trial http://www.heliconsoft.com/store/-----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9395 Posts |
I use Zerene stacker for any stacked coin shots. Stacking isn't needed that much for coin photos, so I just do it manually (no Stackshot, etc.). Usually, we're not doing stacks of 700 slices for coins, either. I had Helicon originally back in 2008/2009, but there was a yearly fee to renew the license at that time. When the Helicon License expired, I switched to Zerene Stacker, around 2009. I paid once, and am still using it 7 years later. (added): Quote:
Photoshop? I have not used it so can't comment, but why are you looking for alternatives? Before Helicon, I tried Photoshop (which I already had). It did not work very well, so I started looking for something else. Edited by pepactonius
05/17/2016 01:08 am
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Replies: 7 / Views: 4,571 |
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Posted 05/16/2016 3:56 pm
