I don’t remember who found this on the web, but I decided to play around with this application. Here is an effort made by combining about 9 different focal lenghts.
Not bad Simon1966… Nice modeling work too!
Looks very interesting can you provide us with a link?
Thanks
Fergie
Here is the link. http://heliconfilter.com/pages/index.php?id=509 An innovative company from the Ukraine. Anyway, someone else on the forum found this a while back and posted some images that they had made.
hey thats intersting
comes in handy with long trains
K
there was a great article in the Jan/Feb 2006 issue of N Scale Railroading magazine about this program, Helicon Focus. I downloaded it and gave it a try.
These pics were both taken with a Nikon 990, as your camera must be capable of manual focus to use the software. Both photos are normal room lighting, no flash. The first one was focused on the head of the FA-1.
Everything in front of and behind that point is out of focus due to depth of field limitations of the camera.
The second photo is a composite of 12 different photos, each focused on a different point in the scene, and then the whole batch run through the Helicon program:
All in all, I’m happy with the results.
Ray
I think if you want to pictures with a digital camera this software is a must. I was amazed by the difference in closer subjects.
Click Images to enlarge
with Helicon focus
without
and intermediate shots perk up
This software is great addition. It makes any manual focus digital camera great. You don’t need a $1000 Canon. Mine were shot using a $200 dollar Konica Minolta Z20 off E-bay.
Just a thought
Harold
Harold, how long have you been using it? I am curious what functionality is left when the full trial period is over?
Depth of filed has always been a problem. Years ago RMC had an article on how to make a pinhole lens. Depth of field is a greater the smaller the f stop. I found an old konica lens at a photo store for under five dollars. As long as it fits your camera is all that counts. Basically if you can disassemble the lens you take a very small piece of brass and make an impression in it with a pin so it is round. Then gently sand the other side until it has a very small hole in it. You have to mount that on legs in the center of the lens so when the iris is fully closed the piece of brass steps down the opening even more. I was amazed that the depth of field was almost infinite. Looking out the window in my office I could read everything on my desk and the railroad cars 4-500 yards away. It is so good when I took pictures of my railroad all the clutter in back of it was perfectly in focus also!
You forgot to mention that it should be blackened to avoid internal reflections. Also should make sure that the pinhole is centered in the lens. I did the same thing with an Olympus OM lens (50mm f1.8) that I got for less than $20. Of course, with some lenses, the trick is getting them apart. Fun stuff…
Probably no functionality after the trial period. I used it about three times and bought the program, I thought it was that good.
I took all my pictures at the widest aperature, f3.2. I just clicked up in focus increments not worrying about focusing on objects. The Z20 made that easy.
It gives better pictures than a pinhole camera. Pinholes tend to fuzz the image All the areas are sharp and crisp with this software.
The farthest point is eight feet away. I bought the software after that picture.
Just a thought
Harold
When you buy the software is there a way to save a copy for yourself in case your computer crashes or you upgrade to a new one?
Bob Boudreau
The program is downloaded as a compressed file of the whole program. I saved the executable to a CD. The unlocking code uses the address of your network card so it would be wise to have a seperate network card, not one integral to a motherboard. The program is licensed to be on 5 computers.
Harold
Very NICE!!