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2021 MacBook Pro M1 Max: Helicon Focus
Related: 2019 iMac 5K, 2019 Mac Pro, 2020 iMac 5K, 4K and 5K display, Apple MacBook Pro M1, Apple Silicon, focus stacking, Helicon Focus, iMac, iMac 5K, laptop, Mac Pro, MacBook, MacBook Pro, Macs, video
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Unsure which Mac to get or how to configure it? Consult with Lloyd, and see recommended Macs for photographers and videographers.
MPG tested the Apple 16.2" MacBook Pro with M1 Max Chip Z14X000HR, a maxed-out model in all ways except 4TB SSD instead of the maximum 8TB SSD.
About
Helicon Focus and Zerene Stacker are both excellent for focus stacking but Helicon Focus is dramatically faster to do the stack. However, Helicon Focus I have found requires more touch-up work (which can take minutes to hours!), so I do all my work in Zerene Stacker to minimize the use of my time.
Still, for a super fast way to see how a stack is going to work out, Helicon Focus is so fast that it‘s very useful for a quick look. And it’s also possible that somehow I have missed a way to use Helicon Focus with fewer edge artifact issues.
If below are out of date: view current Mac wishlist and all current OWC wishlists.
Results
Nothing special here for the 2021 MacBook Pro M1 Max, but it matches the 10-core 2020 iMac 5K.
This stack uses 20 16-bit 45-megapixel images from the Nikon D850. See Nikon D850 'Focus Shift shooting' feature for Easy Focus Stacking.
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