Helicon FB Tube on a Nikon D500: Here is the answer. See the image using the 300mm PF and the tube.

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I cannot find anything, which in its self, is kind of worrying! I found one obscure macro site that had a couple of posts and they looked great. But for as long as that thing has been out, you would think you could find something positive or negative!

By the way....don't get Helicon Remote thinking it is going to work on your Android Phone, Tablet or iPad. I can't get it to work (and I'm pretty good at that stuff) and best I can tell from the internet it is a bust. Maybe if your Android phone allows it to tether via USB (details on the site). But, I can't find anyone that has been able to get it to work wirelessly with the D500.

Directly tethered to your Windows machine it's a dream!
 
If you have a windows laptop, the Helicon Remote is really good, but it is a tether.

I recently started using my Nikon 300mm PF with extension tubes and it seems like it might be the field solution for me. I like to take macro's of dragonflies.

Anything else, I will bring into my study and do the stacking in a controlled environment. I bought some mounting pins so if I can catch a dragonfly it may have to be sacrificed! Beetles, etc. are doomed!! I figure I can fix the tiny pin in the image in Lightroom or photoshop!
 
I rec'd this email response: I do not have a great deal of experience with the tube. I found that it worked well 'in the field', though. I see that a new version using a cable connection is now available and I would think that is an improvement over the IR version. I would suggest setting up the tube by photographing something like an angled ruler to see if you have the correct number of steps set for your intended focusing distance with a particular lens
 
I finally broke down and purchased the updated version of the macro "tube" or more accurately extension ring and it works great!!! Very pleased with it on the 105mm Macro lens. I will work on the settings for the 300 mm PF
 
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Well here is the answer if the Helicon FB Tube works on the 300 PF.
10 Image stack 1/250 sec @ f/7.1, ISO2500 (it was a dark and dreary day!)
Burgandy Lily-.jpg
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Actually not too bad...after I read the instructions a couple of times! They had all the data for the 105mm Macro on their site so that was a good place to start.

Just make sure you put the camera into LiveView to program the Tube.

And the Lens is set to Autofocus (so it will take commands from the Tube) and the Camera is set to Manual so you can manually focus on the nearest spot and then shoot in the high-speed burst mode. You do NOT want the camera changing your focus points! (thus in manual).

It will save the settings for 5 lenses, so once you get it, your done! I am just doing it for the 105mm Macro and the 300 PF.

I am going back and watching the focus stacking class again. I skipped part of it because the D500 doesn't focus bracket, but it doesn't now!
 
I ordered directly from Helicon and paid $40 for DHS shipping. It was here in less than a week. I really like it. It beat buying a new camera just to get Focus Bracketing. It works really well with Helicon Focus 7. I suppose it works well with any Focus Stacking software since you are saving the images to your camera.

You focus to the nearest point (that is taking some learning!) and then squeeze off as many shots as you need. I watch the eye screen and when I see the target go completely out of focus I stop a shot or two later. The good thing with the D500 is that it works with the fast burst setting, so you get what you need in about a second. That appears to be the same way the upper-level Nikons do it to.
 
Don't forget, program in Live View!!

Camera in manual, Lens in AF (so it will take the commands).

Shoot in CH (continuous high speed). My D500 shots at 10 frames per second which gets it done in a hurry!

Manual focus to the closest point (then back of a bit), shoot until the target goes completely out of focus. Done!

Shooting on a tripod makes a big difference unless you have hands of steel!
 
Andrew - that Eastern Amberwing is very impressive! Well, so is the lily! You mentioned Helicon Focus 7 - did you buy that software at the same time as you purchased the Tube? I'm looking at the difference between the FB Tube + Focus Premium vs. the Tube + Focus Pro, the difference being the Premium comes with Helicon Remote mobile. Just trying to figure out if the $449 for everything is worth it.
 
No, I started with Helicon Remote and Focus 7. I really like both.

I just got the Tube a month ago so I could get stacks “out in the field” as they say.

Hind sight being 20/20, I should have got all them as a package.

If you are interested in the super closeup shots, Remote is super helpful and you can actually see what is in focus to set your start and end positions.

If you want to see Remote work, let me know if you want to do a Zoom mtg.
 
Another great shot Andrew! 👍 My FB Tube has now arrived and I look forward to setting it up and using it with my Sigma f2.8 180mm macro, Tamron f2.8 70-200 mm and possibly the Nikon 200-500. I also have the Nisi 58 and 77 mm close up lenses to play with courtesy of my kids, so I may see how they go on a couple lenses. Getting to many options but now we are out of lockdown I can start to set it up and have a crack.😁
 
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Basil,
Good luck on the set-up, re-read the instructions a few times!!!! And don't forget that every time you want to program a lens, you have to do it in LiveView!!
 
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