hi mitchell, yeah hand held. no tripod or rail for me. I used combine zp to stack the images. works a treat.
http://www.hadleyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/CZP/News.htm
I am pretty sure that pixilisation is just due to compression. nothing to worry about really as less compression and it wouldnt show.
Baz, focus stacking take several shots at different focus points and combine them to increase the depth of field.
personally i dont like focus stacking and this is probably only the 3rd or 4th time i have done it. I prefer to gainDoF thru aperture control and getting the angles right like this hoverfly shot (single shot)
http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/v...l/DSC_6721.jpg