Nikon User ... but I always use 'silent shutter' for the reason you mentioned.

On the retouch tab, as you move the cursor over the image stack display (right side), the source image file name is displayed. By choosing parts of the final image that you recognize as closest or farthest, you can get an idea of the range of raw files being used.

Adobe posted an update to the DNG Converter today ... may help if a new camera.

Couple of comments ... there was a new DNG converter released yesterday, v. 16, as part of Adobe Max. So an easy first thing to try.

A few years ago when looking at DNG issues, I noted that at least some of the XMP data in the output DNG was derived from the last image in the stack. I would look ...

8.1.2 running on my Win 11 machine ....

Most likely, the different sizes are due to focus breathing. HF crops your stack to eliminate edge pixels in frames that are missing in other frames. (BTW, Photoshop does not do this and in many cases produces an output image with out-of-focus edge pixels. These would need to be eliminated by ...

Just noticed that HF download is v 8.1.1. not 8.1.2. If there were issues with 8.1.2, should I re-install the previous version?

I use the 105 on a Z7 using Nikons 'focus shift' feature. Manual focus first frame; set the step value to 4, lens at f/8. At 1:1, you'll need about 80 frames for 1" of DOF. Check the last few frames on the LCD to be sure you have reached the desired end of the stack. If not, restart from the ...

HeliconSoft is in the Ukraine so there may be a bit of a delay in getting a response...

A simple solution is to manually change the filenames so they are in the order you want.

Hoping for that change! Asked the same a few years ago ...

Blurring is unavoidable in some cases. Requires extensive use of the retouching panel in complicated subjects. But then, the retouching panel is HF's most important tool.

Blurring is unavoidable in some cases. Requires extensive use of the retouching panel in complicated subjects. But then, the retouching panel is HF's most important tool.

There are some settings that cause this option to be disabled, HDR and Multiple Exposure. There may be others.

I did a lot of testing with the D850 and the 105mm Micro-Nikkor AF-S. Even at f/2.8, 1:1, the step value of 4 worked perfectly. So will work for any lens with a shorter focal length @ f/2.8. Of course, wider lenses and smaller f/stops will require fewer frames. I shoot at the f/stop that gives the ...