Software is rendering sharp edges blurry

[JoeBel161]

I purchased this software because Nikon recommended it for focus stacking and Photoshop cannot render complex images. Unfortunately, Helicon cannot either and the results are very similar to Photoshop. On the link there is a JPH file where I circled the Helicon output. What should be sharp is a messy hodgepodge of blurry edges with piffle areas sharp, so the system is unable to recognize sharpness and blend properly. I'm shooting with a Nikon D850 in Raw, 60MM macro 2.8 ED prime on a tripod. 60 frame stack using the focus shift feature set at 2. F5.6, 100 ISO, 60th of a second.

I really hope this is resolved with software settings. otherwise I just purchased software that does not solve my Photoshop focus stack shortcomings.

Here are the 60 JPGS in case admins want to test.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/6comzv0v ... k73ec&dl=0

Here is the high Rez JPG with red mark-up around the areas, mainly in the middle, of highest concern.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qh6tk8qq ... fqysm&dl=0

Thanks in advance for the assistance.

Joe

[Catherine]

Hello Joe,

Thanks for uploading the images right away, makes it easy to see what the problems is and experiment with it. The general solution for halos is to increase the radius with the method B, and in this case it works as well. Try radius = 25.
But it comes with a downside of reducing sharpness in the overlapping parts of the image (where there are objects at different depth, overlapping each other, and both are in focus in your stack). You can brush them using the retouching tool in Helicon Focus (the "Copy from source" brush).

Also, your image 8191 doesn't match the rest of the stack, it's best to exclude it.