Finally someone who knows how to explain what everything is about with this device. I used it since afew months ago and now I understand it well. Thanks Allan.
Allan, you'd think that these companies would send out lots of how to videos so that people can watch them and get a clear understanding what they are getting into before they are making that purchase. There are very few of such videos on youtube. You are one few who has been doing lots of work regarding extreme macro. Thank you for it.
Hi Allan, there was one good explanation already in the comments about the "distance per revolution" setting. In addition the StackShot people have been flexible enough to let a person build their own rail (using a different screw lead) and still use their great controller. In that case, the movement of the rail per revolution of the motor would depend on the makers chosen lead screw. So you would use that setting to make it work if your lead screw differed from the lead of the StackShot rail.
Hi Spence - that is exactly what Cognisys told me (the day after I posted the video). I'm glad they allow for that flexibility, but it would help folks to make sense of the parameter if they referenced the point in their product documentation. Thanks for helping clear that up - it was driving me crazy trying to think of a relevant use-case. Now I know!
Good evening, congratulations on your precision and patience. Can you give me some information regarding the use of the macro-rail in outdoor situations, without 230V? What type of battery bank should be used? Thank you
excellent walk-thru. i’ve been using my stackshot system for about a year now with outstanding results... but you offered a few very useful tidbits wrt configuration settings. one suggestion, if i might, wrt shooting 2 frames to allow for mirror-up time. to essentially eliminate shake from my system, i set my nikon Z7 to “silent” mode, and also set the shutter to always “electronic.” you indeed lose the satisfying auditory feedback that the camera is indeed shooting:)... but the trade off, i have found, is a rock-solid zero-shake setup. btw/fwiw... i’m using the laowa 25 mm 2.8 2.5-5x macro and its a very nice piece of glass. thanks again allan...looking forward to your part II.
Allan at 18:00 in the video you mentioned Distance / Revolution setting. The Distance / Revolution setting is determined by the pitch (threads per millimetre) of the lead screw. Lead screws commonly come in 2 mm, 4 mm, and 8 mm of travel per revolution. When using a microscope for focus stacking, the Distance / Revolution is millimetres of microscope stage travel for one revolution of the fine focus knob. This value will be dependent on the manufacturer and model of the microscope.
Hi Larry. Of course. But my confusion came from the fact that a given lead screw has a fixed Dist/Rev relationship. It never occurred to me that Cognisys was providing this parameter to allow the user to switch out the actuator for one with a different pitch. Which is a very cool thing for them to do.
For those of us who are not quite ready to invest in this unit a question. Would an older 'proxxon compound table' work for moving the subject instead of the camera? It is old but quite precise. Thanks for all the great information.
Absolutely, Chuck. The Stackshot is a wonderful device that makes stacking fun and effortless (almost), but it is far from a necessity. Using the compound table is an excellent alternative. It takes a little longer, but the end results will just as spectacular.
Dear Alan, that setting about distance per revolution i think is related to the fact that it is possible to couple different type of acme screws to the stepper motor. Normally this depend on the pitch of the screw that tipically can be of 1/2/4/8 mm per revolution. So the programmer of this controller leaves himself the possibility to use different type of screws. I built a fully automated stacking focus rail of my own and i choose to use 2 mm per revolution because is the best compromise between speed and precision. The rail i made will be soon abalaible as product. If you are interested to have a look i could sent you some pictures/ video about the rail while operating. I would like so much to receive your impression.
I forget to say that due to this reason when someone uses a rail like this, does not need to change this setting because as you said the stepper motor while coupled to a screw with a certain pitch will not need any change.
Hi Allen! Thank you for all the information. I'm considering this system. I have a question. In minute,about 6 you mention settings of 2 images a shot with one being for mirror up and next for shot. Can you explain how to do a mirror up with no shot set up on camera, knowing that all camera makes are different. Thank you
Another very retesting video Allan! Let’s see where this takes me. I used to be a stepper motor driver designer at Ericsson in Sweden and I just had a thought. Could Dist/Rev be a setting for your rail? If you would like to have a personal rail attached to your stepper motor with another turn ratio, you could enter it here? Great videos anyhow. Best Regards Claes Nordholm.
Hi Claes, the day after I released this video, Cognisys got in touch to tell me that the Dist/Rev setting is used when you want to use the controller with a different rail, with a different lead screw pitch. So you are absolutely correct. I don't know why that never occurred to me!
Thank you Allan, to avoid taking 2 pics, I use the 2 sec timer in my camera and put mirror on, so, every shot camera up the mirror and wait 2 sec to take the photo, you may try. I know stackshot can work with Helicon remote, have you tried it ?
Good idea! That should give exactly the same results. I have used the StackShot with the Zerene interface but not Helicon. I have a video about the Zerene interface in the works.
The backlash in the lead screw is my bigger problem, I typically program a stack by focusing on the foremost area of the subject, then rear most area, then specifying a step size and find that it frequently misses in the first few shots. I’ve tried adjusting the backlash setting but there seems to be just enough variation in the mechanical system that it still misses. Of course you only find this out after 45 min shooting several hundred photographs and then bringing it into your stacking software of choice. I’ve found that using a soft spring / rubber band or rope looped over the end with a small weight on it to always apply a slight biasing force to eliminate backlash. NB if you have the rail tipped up or down a bit, make sure your bias load works in cooperation with the downslope direction. The noise you hear in precision mode is normal and is an artifact of setting the controller to half step mode (or as they call it “precision mode”) you see this in a lot of stepper motors that are run by a pulse generator operating in half step or micro step mode. If you will permit me to be a pedant for a second: stepper motors are generally considered the lesser of motion control motors. Servo motors are generally regarded as the higher performance solution. That said I own a stcakshot and a servo motor on it would be overkill as the steppers precision is more than enough. Oh and as always, love your content :)
That's the design weakness in all screw operated rails Andrew. The tolerances on the screw threads, pitch of the thread, accuracy of the bushes and their machined housings and the accuracy of the thread of the carriage for the camera to sit on all add up. I'm not aware of any rail of this design that eliminates backlash. You are virtually guaranteed backlash as far as I can see due to the build up of tolerances on all the machined parts and extrusion. I've gone for a rack and pinion rail from Novoflex that's due for delivery this week. It's £50 more expensive than the Nisi but has a precision machined rack on the rail and a machined pinion gear on the carriage. It seems a better option but time will tell if it was worth the extra cash.
There are actually zero backlash linear rails, they just cost more and work generally by preloading 2 separate contact sets in opposing directions. I’ve used them in things I design regularly for high precession applications (I’m a mechanical engineer). The other option is to use a servo motor tied to a linear encoder rendering the backlash irrelevant because the control system is basing its output on measured location as opposed to back calculated theoretical location like a stepper motion control system uses. Steppers can also have a nasty habit of losing a step here and there throwing the theoretical mechanical output off. (Still happy with my stackshot and glad I didn’t have to do the development leg work myself. I considered building my own home brew one but the time invested in it would have been far more expensive than buying something someone else already put that effort into)
@@andrewh2341 Yes precision costs and I'm aware of zero backlash linear rails but at the price points we are talking that's not a realistic expectation. The linear encoder measuring the carriage location would overcome any problems of backlash as you say. I've not dipped my toe into the Stackshot waters and the rail I have on order wouldn't be suitable for it from what I can see. It's often the case you can buy an off the shelf unit cheaper than building one yourself. I guess missing the odd frame every now and then is the price to be paid for a bit of backlash but it sound like you've overcome most of the backlash issues. I'll report back on the Novoflex when it gets here as they claim it's backlash free. We will see.
@@andrewh2341 Wil do. This is the one I have on order complete with the fine adjustment attachment. www.speedgraphic.co.uk/focusing_racks/novoflex_castelq_focusing_rack/8417_p.html
I prefer the Stackshot as a more solid and robust device that will last a lifetime. The electronics are well made and will also last indefinitely. But the WeMacro rail is far superior to no rail or a manual one. It will get the job done. But even if it was as good a rail, I would still favor the Stackshot because of the availability and quick, professional response I get from Cognisys every time I need something. I have heard some horror stories of trying to deal with overseas customer service and I can't afford the time to mess with that. But for many/most users, it is a good inexpensive alternative (but so is building your own!)
You have a RRS quick release mounted transversely on the carriage. Did you drill and tap the mount plate on the slide or ?? A single point mount, as it comes, seems prone to mis-aligning the lens.
Actually, the RRS has three tapped mounting holes and the replacement low profile mounting plate has 12 mount points - so the RRS is mounted transversely with a pair of 1/4" machine screws - very solid and perfectly aligned.
@@AllanWallsPhotography Hi Allan, The top piece on the Stack Shot I received has a single slot parallel to the rails. Is there a replacement part for that (or am I totally confused)? I have an RRS quick release plate that I would like to put on it, similar to the one you have but the tapped holes are perpendicular to the direction I need so only the center hole will sit on the slot which allows the plate to twist as you tighten the lever. Thanks for taking the time to respond and thanks for the videos. What method are you using to determine the depth of field of the camera/lens set up so you can set the carriage movement to have a little overlap?
@@phila8226 If you send me your email address (to contact@allanwallsphotography.com), I'll send you a couple of pictures of the replacement mounting platform that I use - it will make everything clear. As for step length, I use an online DoF calculator to determine the expected DoF for any given lens configuration, then I subtract 25-30% of that distance (from both "ends") to come up with an appropriate step length for that lens setup. Very roughly 1:1=1200um, 3:1=250um, 4:1=100um, 10:1=35um. I have a couple of recent videos (the NiSi focus rail review, for one) that discuss this in more depth.
Finally someone who knows how to explain what everything is about with this device. I used it since afew months ago and now I understand it well. Thanks Allan.
Allan, you'd think that these companies would send out lots of how to videos so that people can watch them and get a clear understanding what they are getting into before they are making that purchase. There are very few of such videos on youtube. You are one few who has been doing lots of work regarding extreme macro. Thank you for it.
LOL LOL LOL was not expecting the sound at minute 16:45 :-)
Thanks a bunch! With this pair of videos and the guide PDF you have done StackShot owners present and future a great favor.
Thanks Michael - I hope it is useful for new users.
Thank you! Perfect timing - mine are arrived a couple days ago.
Hi Allan, there was one good explanation already in the comments about the "distance per revolution" setting. In addition the StackShot people have been flexible enough to let a person build their own rail (using a different screw lead) and still use their great controller. In that case, the movement of the rail per revolution of the motor would depend on the makers chosen lead screw. So you would use that setting to make it work if your lead screw differed from the lead of the StackShot rail.
Hi Spence - that is exactly what Cognisys told me (the day after I posted the video). I'm glad they allow for that flexibility, but it would help folks to make sense of the parameter if they referenced the point in their product documentation. Thanks for helping clear that up - it was driving me crazy trying to think of a relevant use-case. Now I know!
Good evening, congratulations on your precision and patience. Can you give me some information regarding the use of the macro-rail in outdoor situations, without 230V? What type of battery bank should be used? Thank you
Nice glasses..matching the blue shirt. Thank you for the informative video Dr.
Fashion is my middle name, Jacob! Hahaha!
Great tutorial. Love that 1979 interface!
excellent walk-thru. i’ve been using my stackshot system for about a year now with outstanding results... but you offered a few very useful tidbits wrt configuration settings. one suggestion, if i might, wrt shooting 2 frames to allow for mirror-up time. to essentially eliminate shake from my system, i set my nikon Z7 to “silent” mode, and also set the shutter to always “electronic.” you indeed lose the satisfying auditory feedback that the camera is indeed shooting:)... but the trade off, i have found, is a rock-solid zero-shake setup. btw/fwiw... i’m using the laowa 25 mm 2.8 2.5-5x macro and its a very nice piece of glass. thanks again allan...looking forward to your part II.
Allan at 18:00 in the video you mentioned Distance / Revolution setting.
The Distance / Revolution setting is determined by the pitch (threads per millimetre) of the lead screw.
Lead screws commonly come in 2 mm, 4 mm, and 8 mm of travel per revolution.
When using a microscope for focus stacking, the Distance / Revolution is millimetres of microscope stage travel for one revolution of the fine focus knob.
This value will be dependent on the manufacturer and model of the microscope.
Hi Larry. Of course. But my confusion came from the fact that a given lead screw has a fixed Dist/Rev relationship. It never occurred to me that Cognisys was providing this parameter to allow the user to switch out the actuator for one with a different pitch. Which is a very cool thing for them to do.
Excellent tutorial .. well done
Setting up a StackShot and running it with the Zerene Stacker interface plus your thoughts about the interface would be a good video.
It's in the works!
Thanks, Allan! Super helpful!
For those of us who are not quite ready to invest in this unit a question. Would an older 'proxxon compound table' work for moving the subject instead of the camera? It is old but quite precise. Thanks for all the great information.
Absolutely, Chuck. The Stackshot is a wonderful device that makes stacking fun and effortless (almost), but it is far from a necessity. Using the compound table is an excellent alternative. It takes a little longer, but the end results will just as spectacular.
Dear Alan, that setting about distance per revolution i think is related to the fact that it is possible to couple different type of acme screws to the stepper motor. Normally this depend on the pitch of the screw that tipically can be of 1/2/4/8 mm per revolution. So the programmer of this controller leaves himself the possibility to use different type of screws. I built a fully automated stacking focus rail of my own and i choose to use 2 mm per revolution because is the best compromise between speed and precision. The rail i made will be soon abalaible as product. If you are interested to have a look i could sent you some pictures/ video about the rail while operating. I would like so much to receive your impression.
I forget to say that due to this reason when someone uses a rail like this, does not need to change this setting because as you said the stepper motor while coupled to a screw with a certain pitch will not need any change.
Hi Allen! Thank you for all the information. I'm considering this system. I have a question. In minute,about 6 you mention settings of 2 images a shot with one being for mirror up and next for shot. Can you explain how to do a mirror up with no shot set up on camera, knowing that all camera makes are different. Thank you
Another very retesting video Allan! Let’s see where this takes me. I used to be a stepper motor driver designer at Ericsson in Sweden and I just had a thought. Could Dist/Rev be a setting for your rail? If you would like to have a personal rail attached to your stepper motor with another turn ratio, you could enter it here? Great videos anyhow. Best Regards Claes Nordholm.
Hi Claes, the day after I released this video, Cognisys got in touch to tell me that the Dist/Rev setting is used when you want to use the controller with a different rail, with a different lead screw pitch. So you are absolutely correct. I don't know why that never occurred to me!
Thank you Allan, to avoid taking 2 pics, I use the 2 sec timer in my camera and put mirror on, so, every shot camera up the mirror and wait 2 sec to take the photo, you may try. I know stackshot can work with Helicon remote, have you tried it ?
Good idea! That should give exactly the same results. I have used the StackShot with the Zerene interface but not Helicon. I have a video about the Zerene interface in the works.
The backlash in the lead screw is my bigger problem, I typically program a stack by focusing on the foremost area of the subject, then rear most area, then specifying a step size and find that it frequently misses in the first few shots. I’ve tried adjusting the backlash setting but there seems to be just enough variation in the mechanical system that it still misses. Of course you only find this out after 45 min shooting several hundred photographs and then bringing it into your stacking software of choice. I’ve found that using a soft spring / rubber band or rope looped over the end with a small weight on it to always apply a slight biasing force to eliminate backlash. NB if you have the rail tipped up or down a bit, make sure your bias load works in cooperation with the downslope direction. The noise you hear in precision mode is normal and is an artifact of setting the controller to half step mode (or as they call it “precision mode”) you see this in a lot of stepper motors that are run by a pulse generator operating in half step or micro step mode.
If you will permit me to be a pedant for a second: stepper motors are generally considered the lesser of motion control motors. Servo motors are generally regarded as the higher performance solution. That said I own a stcakshot and a servo motor on it would be overkill as the steppers precision is more than enough.
Oh and as always, love your content :)
That's the design weakness in all screw operated rails Andrew. The tolerances on the screw threads, pitch of the thread, accuracy of the bushes and their machined housings and the accuracy of the thread of the carriage for the camera to sit on all add up. I'm not aware of any rail of this design that eliminates backlash. You are virtually guaranteed backlash as far as I can see due to the build up of tolerances on all the machined parts and extrusion. I've gone for a rack and pinion rail from Novoflex that's due for delivery this week. It's £50 more expensive than the Nisi but has a precision machined rack on the rail and a machined pinion gear on the carriage. It seems a better option but time will tell if it was worth the extra cash.
There are actually zero backlash linear rails, they just cost more and work generally by preloading 2 separate contact sets in opposing directions. I’ve used them in things I design regularly for high precession applications (I’m a mechanical engineer). The other option is to use a servo motor tied to a linear encoder rendering the backlash irrelevant because the control system is basing its output on measured location as opposed to back calculated theoretical location like a stepper motion control system uses. Steppers can also have a nasty habit of losing a step here and there throwing the theoretical mechanical output off. (Still happy with my stackshot and glad I didn’t have to do the development leg work myself. I considered building my own home brew one but the time invested in it would have been far more expensive than buying something someone else already put that effort into)
@@andrewh2341 Yes precision costs and I'm aware of zero backlash linear rails but at the price points we are talking that's not a realistic expectation. The linear encoder measuring the carriage location would overcome any problems of backlash as you say. I've not dipped my toe into the Stackshot waters and the rail I have on order wouldn't be suitable for it from what I can see. It's often the case you can buy an off the shelf unit cheaper than building one yourself. I guess missing the odd frame every now and then is the price to be paid for a bit of backlash but it sound like you've overcome most of the backlash issues. I'll report back on the Novoflex when it gets here as they claim it's backlash free. We will see.
Keep us posted for sure :)
@@andrewh2341 Wil do. This is the one I have on order complete with the fine adjustment attachment. www.speedgraphic.co.uk/focusing_racks/novoflex_castelq_focusing_rack/8417_p.html
I would like to know if this device is compatible with new Nikon Z cameras?
Thank you
Buzz Lightyear and that skull in the background 😂
I do all my own decorating!
Do you have experience with the Wemacro rail? If so in your opinion which one is better?
I prefer the Stackshot as a more solid and robust device that will last a lifetime. The electronics are well made and will also last indefinitely. But the WeMacro rail is far superior to no rail or a manual one. It will get the job done. But even if it was as good a rail, I would still favor the Stackshot because of the availability and quick, professional response I get from Cognisys every time I need something. I have heard some horror stories of trying to deal with overseas customer service and I can't afford the time to mess with that. But for many/most users, it is a good inexpensive alternative (but so is building your own!)
You have a RRS quick release mounted transversely on the carriage. Did you drill and tap the mount plate on the slide or ?? A single point mount, as it comes, seems prone to mis-aligning the lens.
Actually, the RRS has three tapped mounting holes and the replacement low profile mounting plate has 12 mount points - so the RRS is mounted transversely with a pair of 1/4" machine screws - very solid and perfectly aligned.
@@AllanWallsPhotography Hi Allan, The top piece on the Stack Shot I received has a single slot parallel to the rails. Is there a replacement part for that (or am I totally confused)? I have an RRS quick release plate that I would like to put on it, similar to the one you have but the tapped holes are perpendicular to the direction I need so only the center hole will sit on the slot which allows the plate to twist as you tighten the lever. Thanks for taking the time to respond and thanks for the videos.
What method are you using to determine the depth of field of the camera/lens set up so you can set the carriage movement to have a little overlap?
@@phila8226 If you send me your email address (to contact@allanwallsphotography.com), I'll send you a couple of pictures of the replacement mounting platform that I use - it will make everything clear. As for step length, I use an online DoF calculator to determine the expected DoF for any given lens configuration, then I subtract 25-30% of that distance (from both "ends") to come up with an appropriate step length for that lens setup. Very roughly 1:1=1200um, 3:1=250um, 4:1=100um, 10:1=35um. I have a couple of recent videos (the NiSi focus rail review, for one) that discuss this in more depth.
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