Software Feature Request for R3 with Focus Bracketing - Calculated shot and steps

[mHeston]

This shows how old I am.  30+ years ago I owned a Canon camera I could focus on a near object, press the button, then focus on the far object I want in focus and the camera would calculate the needed f/stop and focus point.

What I want now is a variation of that. 

Focus on the near point - focus on the far point - and have the camera calculate the number of shots to take, and the focus increment - based on the camera body, f/stop, and focal length of the lens.  Come On Canon - you've got all the numbers already all you have to do is run the math for us.  You were doing basically the same thing 30+ years ago, you can certainly manage it now.

As an added bonus you could add a field that allows us to select a % increase in shots.  So say the camera calculates that creating this focus stack will require 13 shots with a focus increment of 4... then allow us to add a percentage above or below the calculated numbers based on our experience and post-processing software and knowledge.

[rs-eos]

To provide this feedback to Canon, visit the the Main Canon USA page, and at the very bottom next to the copyright notice, click on "[+] Feedback".  Then, select "Product" in the popup window.

[mHeston]

Thanks

[FloridaDrafter]

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@mHeston wrote:

"This shows how old I am.  30+ years ago I owned a Canon camera I could focus on a near object, press the button, then focus on the far object I want in focus and the camera would calculate the needed f/stop and focus point."

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Now you have me curious 🙂 Which Canon camera are you referring to that calculated a stack 30 years ago?

Newton

[shadowsports]

Yep.  I want to know this as well.  😉

[kvbarkley]

It was the "ADep" mode. From the XSi manual:

I guess the OP was the only one that used it.

[mHeston]

Yes, that's the feature.  I didn't own that model, but yes. 
Thanks for finding that.

[FloridaDrafter]

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@kvbarkley wrote:

It was the "ADep" mode From the XSi

<SNIP IMAGE>

I guess the OP was the only one that used it.

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LOL! Thank you. I have that camera, and still use it. It sets beside my La-Z-Boy with an EF 100mm f/2.8 IS USM Macro lens attached. I have never used A-DEP (until today).

In A-DEP, the camera adjusts your aperture to include all of the registered (green) focus points. It works OK, but you are limited to shooting in only the best (well lit) conditions. ISO is the only thing you can control. It would probably work well for group photos at a distance.

I just took this and got a screen grab from DPP4 so you can see the focus points. It is in our window with bright sun. EOS XSi in A-DEP mode, EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro IS USM, 1/90th, f/11, ISO 400. Hand held 🙂

Canon EOS XSi A-DEP Mode

Newton

[mHeston]

It didn't calculate focus stacks, but it calculated the needed f/stop to get the near and far subject in focus.  Sorry I'm so **bleep** old I can remember the model - film camera

[FloridaDrafter]

@mHeston,

I've been stacking a long time, way before Canon started including it as a camera feature (7D2 and 5D4). In those days I settled in on software by Helicon, although I tried other methods and software like motorized macro rails. Helicon Focus does what you mention, like point A and point B (start and end FP's). So I was a bit disappointed in the way Canon implemented it in camera. However, it didn't take long to adapt to what Canon gave me to work with and I am perfectly happy with their routine. Understanding DOF and the increment setting in the camera basically does the same thing as point A and B without the need to set point B. I still tether to my camera and use Helicon Remote at times, but also use the built in stacking, it just depends on the subject and lighting. I use an EOS R5, R6, and R6 mark II (depending on what is handy) with a RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens and sometimes 10" light panels on stands.

Depending on how impatient I am, I will either process in Helicon Focus or Canons free Digital Photo Professional 4 (DPP4). Helicon is very fast but lacks the ability to allow you to edit your Raw files (it will process CR2 and CR3), so you better get your exposure right! It does however export a digital negative (DNG) that can be edited in PS/LR. I do like DPP4 because I can edit the first Raw in the stack and batch paste the recipe to all shots in the stack then run the stack. Both programs have pretty good touchup abilities. Getting the stack and processing is only half the job, touchup is where the magic happens.

Newton