Please read carefully – clarification on Focus Stacking request

Hi again,
This is now my third attempt, and I truly hope it will be read with attention this time.

Clarification on this post https://captureone.ideas.aha.io/ideas/FR-I-2064

Firstly, I’d like to point out something important: closing a post without giving the person who submitted the request a chance to reply or clarify is frustrating and disrespectful. It gives the impression that Capture One is doing us a favour by “listening,” when in reality, it is we — the professional users — who invest (thousands between CaptureOne and PhaseOne) in your ecosystem and contribute valuable insight to improve your product.

In this case, my suggestion was misunderstood and prematurely dismissed.

Let me clarify once more — this request is not about merging focus-stacked images in Capture One. I already use Helicon Focus for that purpose, and it works great.

What I’m requesting is a remote interface in Capture One to control the built-in Focus Stacking function of the Phase One XF camera.

Here’s the current inefficient workflow:

• I focus precisely via Live View in Capture One on my computer.

• Then I need to physically go to the camera to press the button that defines the near focus point.

• I go back to the computer, refocus on the far point, then go back to the camera again to define that second point.

• Only then can I start the stacking sequence.

This may sound trivial, but when shooting 30–50 jewelry pieces per day, with the camera mounted 2 meters high, it becomes time-consuming, inefficient, and unnecessary — especially when all other camera settings (ISO, shutter, aperture, etc.) can already be controlled remotely from Capture One.

What I’m suggesting is simple:
Expose the same menu we see on the XF screen in Capture One. Just three buttons:

• Enable Focus Stacking

• Set Near Point

• Set Far Point

That’s all. This feature is already in the hardware (also IQ4 have Capture One integrated on it) — just bring its controls into the software. It would massively improve workflow for serious studio professionals, and doesn't require reinventing anything — just remote access to existing functionality.

I sincerely hope this time it is understood properly and considered seriously.

Thank you for your time,
César Oliveira
www.cesaroliveirafotografia.com