A method for focusing may include receiving a first image stack of a first field of view, the first image stack including images captured with different focus from the first field of view; determining, from the first image stack, a first spatial distribution of focus depths in which different areas in the first field of view are in focus; determining a first local sample thickness and a first sample tilt in the first field of view based on the first spatial distribution of focus depths; and estimating, based on the first local sample thickness and the first sample tilt, a focus setting for capturing a second image stack from a second field of view.