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Helium Design Lab’s He11 Grip
credits: Helium Design Lab
Helium Design Lab is back with a new grip for the Leica M11, and it’s every bit as sleek and well-crafted as their previous ones. The He11 adds a front grip and a removable thumb rest without blocking the battery, SD card, or hot shoe. It’s made from CNC-machined aluminum, works with Leica’s Finger Loop, has a hidden AirTag compartment, and is Arca-Swiss mount compatible.
Unlike the Q3, the M11 uses interchangeable lenses, so balance changes depending on the setup. Helium fine-tuned the design to keep handling smooth no matter what lens you’re using. They also improved chamfering for a better feel and redesigned the strap anchor for Peak Design users.
The He11 is available now for $560, with a limited Silver Edition also up for grabs.
Tamron Patents A New Lens?
credits: Tamron
Tamron might be cooking up a big one—literally. A newly published patent hints at a 200-800mm f/6.7 ultra-telephoto zoom lens for mirrorless cameras, alongside a 200-600mm f/5.6 variant. If this lens becomes reality, it could be a game-changer for wildlife and sports photographers who need serious reach without the weight or cost of multiple primes.
The 200-800mm design would be around 16.3 inches long—big, but reasonable for an 800mm zoom. Tamron has a track record of making popular telephoto zooms, and this would compete with Canon’s RF 200-800mm. The big question? Optical quality and price. Given Tamron’s existing tele zooms cost around $1,300-$1,400, this one could push past $2,000 but still be far cheaper than prime alternatives.
For now, it’s just a patent, but Tamron has been working on this since at least 2018. Fingers crossed we see it hit the market soon!
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Weekly Photo Technique Exploration
Welcome to a new section of the magazine where every week we will explore a new photography technique from across various photography genres.
This week’s technique: Focus Stacking
Mateusz Salaciak
What Is Focus Stacking?
Focus stacking involves taking multiple photos at different focus points and blending them together in post-processing to create an image where everything is in focus—from the closest details to the farthest background.
Most cameras have a limit to how much they can keep in focus at once (especially at close distances), but by merging multiple focused shots, you can overcome depth-of-field limitations.
How to Shoot for Focus Stacking
1. Use a Tripod (Seriously, Don’t Skip This Step)
Even slight movements between shots can mess up the stacking process. A tripod keeps everything perfectly aligned.
If you’re shooting handheld, you’ll need software alignment later, but it won’t be as precise.
2. Switch to Manual Focus
Autofocus might shift unpredictably between shots.
Instead, focus manually and adjust the focus in small increments from front to back.
3. Use a Narrow Aperture (But Not Too Narrow)
f/8 to f/11 is usually ideal for sharpness.
Avoid f/22 or smaller, because diffraction can make the image soft.
4. Take a Series of Shots at Different Focus Points
Start by focusing on the closest part of your subject.
Take a shot, then slightly adjust focus deeper into the scene.
Repeat until you’ve covered everything you want sharp.
Some cameras (like certain Nikons, Canons, and Sonys) even have automated focus stacking modes!
5. Keep Exposure & Settings Consistent
Use manual mode so exposure doesn’t shift between shots.
Keep ISO low to avoid noise.
Maybe use a remote shutter or timer to avoid camera shake.
How to Merge Your Stacked Images
Option 1: Photoshop (Most Popular Method)
Load all images as layers in Photoshop.
Select all layers, go to Edit > Auto-Align Layers (to correct any small shifts).
Then, go to Edit > Auto-Blend Layers and choose Stack Images.
Photoshop will mask the sharpest areas from each shot and blend them into a final image.
Option 2: Dedicated Software (More Precision)
Helicon Focus and Zerene Stacker are pro-level tools specifically designed for focus stacking.
These offer finer control, better blending, and more advanced algorithms.
The Rest of this Issue is for Premium Subscribers
