Focus stacking problems for insect pictures

[cafe birder]

Hi, while I can focus stack with an R 100 to 400 telephoto attached to my R10, I cannot do so with my Sigma macro and converter. Do I have to buy a Canon R series lens for this to work in camera ?

 

[Archibald]

Focus stack or focus bracketing?

With focus bracketing, the camera changes the focusing of the lens. Is that possible with your Sigma lens and converter?

 

[cafe birder]

Sorry I may have mixed the terms. I meant a stack of 2 to 100 pictures with the focus moved in variable increments automatically by the camera which then produces a single image as a jpeg also automatically. This is what I cannot seem to achieve with my non canon converter (EF to R) and sigma 105 macro.

 

[Bryan Conner]

I have a Canon R6 Mark II and use a Sigma 105 F2.8 EX Macro OS HSM lens with a Canon EF -RF converter and everything works perfectly.

So, I guess it depends on which Sigma lens you have, is it like mine with OS (image stabilization) or the older version without OS. And also, maybe something about your 3rd party EF-RF adapter might not be playing well. Before I bought my Sigma lens, I checked the official compatibility list on Sigma's website and the older non-stabilized version of the lens is not listed as being compatible with the EOS R cameras. This could prevent your camera from focus bracketing. Just a thought.

 

[cafe birder]

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Thanks. The lens and converter works well for usual purposes of outdoor insect photography. incl autofocus and is OS version by the looks of it. I do switch image stabilisation off when I use a tripod. It looks like it could be the k&f converter then ?

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[Bryan Conner]

Our lenses are the same, but our cameras are not, nor are our converters. Sigma published compatibility information for their lenses and Canon mirrorless cameras, but this was before the R100 was introduced. So, the R100 is not listed as being compatible with this lens.

But, the lens is compatible with my R6 MkII with my Canon RF EF adapter. So I would guess that it is the adapter. I would suggest buying an original Canon, or testing one if you have a local camera shop. I am pretty sure that you can pick up a good used one as well for a good price.

 

[LCPete]

It may be worth trying another lens to see if the focus stacking works with that adapter any other lens doesn’t have to be a macro
My camera is not the same as yours an R5 but the focus stacking does work on my old Sigma 150 non OS even though searching on google said that my lens isn’t compatible

 

[cafe birder]

I bit the bullet and bought a canon adapter for my sigma macro lens. Unfortunately this hasn't solved it. Occasionally now the lens tries to take a series of pictures where I can hear the motor altering the focus. On these occasions though an error message ( 01 I think ) comes up saying that connection to camera isn't correct. Most of the time the series of pictures are all copies of the same initial one with no change in focus positioning. There is no setting ( number of pics or increment) that consistently almost works. Do I have to just give up or is there a canon helpdesk I can contact ? I have tried cleaning the lens connection carefully

 

[MSH411]

Have you checked to see if you are running the latest firmware on the Sigma lens? I had to update several when I moved to R bodies.

 

[cafe birder]

That didn't occur to me. I'll look into it. I did check my camera firmware was up to date but never realised a lense had anything similar. I bought the lens used about 10 years ago

 

[Bryan Conner]

I am pretty sure this lens doesn't have user updateable firmware. I can't find any reference anywhere of anything pertaining to firmware with this lens.

 

[MSH411]

I am pretty sure this lens doesn't have user updateable firmware. I can't find any reference anywhere of anything pertaining to firmware with this lens.

Just searched and couldn't find an update either.

Bryan, what EF/RF adapter/converter are you using? I noticed that cafe birder is using a K&F Concept, are you using the same?

 

[Bryan Conner]

Just searched and couldn't find an update either.

Bryan, what EF/RF adapter/converter are you using? I noticed that cafe birder is using a K&F Concept, are you using the same?

No, I use a Canon brand adapter, the one with the control ring.

Since it isn't a Canon lens, and other lenses function properly, I wouldn't contact Canon about this problem. I suspect there the issue is with your lens or simply that the R100's firmware doesn't play well with 3rd party lenses which are older like your Sigma. Maybe your lens has a different firmware than mine, I bought my lens new in July of 2021, so maybe Sigma updated the firmware between the time yours was manufactured and mine was manufactured.

I would contact Sigma service and ask if it is possible for the firmware to be updated by them.

 

[MSH411]

If you have someone you know that owns a Canon adapter (or a Canon dealer close by) it may also be worth trying the Canon adapter to see if it is a possible communications failure with the K&F adapter.