Taking Stacks Wit the Nikon Z7
The Nikon Z7 is similar in operation for taking stacks to the Panasonic S1R but differs in details. The Z7 can accept native "Z-Mount" lenses or traditional Nikon "F-Mount" lenses with the Nikon FTZ adapter. For the purpose of taking stacks only the more modern F-Mount lenses operate fully with the FTZ adapter.
On the Z7 taking stacks is called "focus shift." The menu selection is the last selection in the primary menu as shown below.
The Nikon Z7 is similar in operation for taking stacks to the Panasonic S1R but differs in details. The Z7 can accept native "Z-Mount" lenses or traditional Nikon "F-Mount" lenses with the Nikon FTZ adapter. For the purpose of taking stacks only the more modern F-Mount lenses operate fully with the FTZ adapter.
On the Z7 taking stacks is called "focus shift." The menu selection is the last selection in the primary menu as shown below.
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The inputs to the focus shift menu are the number of shots (max 300) and the focus step width (1 to 10). In order to keep track of stacks a new storage folder can be started for each new stack. On the S1R stack acquisition is started with the shutter release, but on the Z7 by pushing the "OK" button while "Start" is selected. The camera must be in auto focus mode on the Z7. The time and date must be set or focus shifting will not work. The various options in the focus shift menu are shown below. If the "starting storage folder" option is selected and checked by the on screen button a new numbered folder is created for each new stack. This makes it easy to figure out which images belong to which stack.
Unlike the S1R the Z7 viewfinder goes dark during stack acquisition. A shotgun sight like the Olympus EE-1 shown below can be used for handheld stack acquisition to keep the camera aim steady. In this case image stabilization must be turned on. When using a tripod image stabilization is normally turned off.
Unlike the S1R the Z7 viewfinder goes dark during stack acquisition. A shotgun sight like the Olympus EE-1 shown below can be used for handheld stack acquisition to keep the camera aim steady. In this case image stabilization must be turned on. When using a tripod image stabilization is normally turned off.
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Before taking a stack the camera must be focused on the point where the stack starts. Adjusting the focus is easier if the camera is temporarily set to manual focus (switch on lens barrel). This will enable the focus peaking aid. Care must be taken not to inadvertently change focus before the stack is taken. Avoid touching the shutter release and back out of the menus using the menu key.
With Zoom lenses, such as the f/2.8 24-70 Z lens, the stacking app only works at selected focus lengths. In the case of the 24-70 the allowed setting are marked on the lens barrel: 24, 28, 35, 50, and 70 millimeters. The only f-numbers allowed for any lens are numbers in the series 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 22, 32, or in the case of lenses with an f/1.8 option as the lowest f-number, f/2 is replaced with f/1.8.
With Zoom lenses, such as the f/2.8 24-70 Z lens, the stacking app only works at selected focus lengths. In the case of the 24-70 the allowed setting are marked on the lens barrel: 24, 28, 35, 50, and 70 millimeters. The only f-numbers allowed for any lens are numbers in the series 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 22, 32, or in the case of lenses with an f/1.8 option as the lowest f-number, f/2 is replaced with f/1.8.