topic Re: Software for Stacking on an ipad in Gear Guide

Software recommendations for stacking on an iPad

Ramsden — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:11:07 GMT

Hi folks

EOS90D and a few lenses. Just quietly drifted into stacking and hit a brick wall. Dpp doesn't support stacking on ipad, and I downloaded Affinity and they hope to support ipad soon, but not yet.

Have any of you managed to stack on an ipad, and if so, could you please tell me how. Worst case scenario, I'll probably end up buying a lap top, but Ive got better things to do with my money!

Ramsden

Re: Software for Stacking on an ipad

ebiggs1 — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:11:58 GMT

Photoshop can do stacking on iPad but it is not automatic like the desktop. I don't use PS on iPad because of the limitation of a iPad vs a 32" desktop PC. There is probably not going to be a full featured app for iPad compared to the desktop version.

Re: Software for Stacking on an ipad

Ramsden — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:54:25 GMT

Thanks EB.

I'm 78 and not thinking of investing in a desk top, maybe a nippy affordable laptop would get past the radar at home. I have no idea what spec I would need, except it would only be used for photography. I'll do some research.

Thanks for your message and I'll check out Photoshop.

Regards

Ramsden

Re: Software for Stacking on an ipad

jrhoffman75 — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:45:25 GMT

Affinity has gone through some changes. Affinity 2 for the iPad supports focus stacking.

Depending on the model you have the iPad can be high performance image editor.

Re: Software for Stacking on an ipad

Ramsden — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:55:29 GMT

Hi John

That's interesting. I tried Affinity last night and it said were hoping to do stacking soon. I wonder if that's a uk issue- but that doesn't make sense.

I'll have another look.

I'm currently playing around with photoshop and Lightroom - but its a bit clunky.

Thanks for your message

Ramsden

Re: Software for Stacking on an ipad

jrhoffman75 — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:00:24 GMT

Is this what you are using?

Re: Software for Stacking on an ipad

johnrmoyer — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:08:27 GMT

I hope some of this might be helpful. I will not be 78 for another year.

HP sells a laptop running Ubuntu Linux. Linux runs on a much slower less expensive computer than Windows. Nearly all of the software is free.

I like hugin for stacking. Gimp can also do stacking by using layers. Rawtherapee and Darktable can usually handle all but the most recent camera raw files.

I run Debian Linux and also use graphicsmagick, exiftool, and gmic free software.

I also have a 2019 iMac that I use to run Canon DPP software. The might be cheap used, but only will continue to have security updates for a short time.

It has been decades since I felt a need to pay for any Adobe software. I do not do Windows since I have retired and no longer have an employer to require it.

Re: Software for Stacking on an ipad

Ramsden — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:18:13 GMT

Thanks John

I had the wrong affinity app called designer 2 for ipad. Ive just downloaded the correct one.

Thanks so much

Ramsden

Re: Software for Stacking on an ipad

Ramsden — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:28:22 GMT

Thanks John

I'll check out the Affinity and see how that goes first. But like you, when you're retired I don't throw bucks at big corporations!

Ramsden

Re: Software recommendations for stacking on an iPad

ebiggs1 — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 14:12:14 GMT

"I'm currently playing around with photoshop and Lightroom - but its a bit clunky."

Really? What is "clunky"? You know most all promos used to say somewhere that their "Big 'whatever' Dog" photo app is a s goods Photoshop. Why because professional users know PS is the top app for photo editing. Now for sure some may be, maybe not, 'just as good' but why settle for just as good when you can have the real thing. Over the years I have tried and I still have several of these 'just as good' photo apps and in truth they are not just as good.

However, here once again just as if you don't need all the fancy new features of the latest greatest camera and never use them, if you don't need all the power of PS 'just as good' may do the trick.

BTW, Lightroom does photo stacking very nicely and super easy not a bit 'clunky'.

Re: Software recommendations for stacking on an iPad

Ramsden — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:06:07 GMT

Thanks EB. I stand corrected!

Anything to do with computers is a challenge. I'm using an old ipad, and its one photo at a time ( at my level) Not sure how far I'll go with stacking, as at the moment its a lot of hassle for marginal gains.

Ramsden