Focus Stacked Photos

[wolfie]

There seems to be a widespread misconception that focus stacking is only for macro or close up scenes. And you have to use a tripod.

This is a hand held shot on an E-M1 MkII with 8 images blended in camera using f2.8 - sharp from foreground to the window at the other end of the house.

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A single shot focused on the apple

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And a true landscape shot with a foloiage foreground going the the horizon ...E-M5 Mk2 - 7or 8 image blend in camera.

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And a single shot of same scene

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As I don't even own any applications that would let me do such stacking this a big benefit that Olympus has tucked away inside its cameras that offers real creative potential.
I will be looking for opportunities to bring verything into focus with this function.

I invite anyone else who has used the in-camera (Olympus or Lumix equivalent) stacking for landscape or other non-macro shooting to show what they have acheived.

 

[Acraftman]

Haven't attempted this yet due to the fact I was told the m5mkll can shoot the stack but not process the result. It would be great if I was misinformed.

 

[wolfie]

Haven't attempted this yet due to the fact I was told the m5mkll can shoot the stack but not process the result. It would be great if I was misinformed.

Your lucky day! You have been misinformed as both my shots above were shot on my E-M5 Mk2. Cant remember if it was in a firmware update or there from the original version. It is also in the E-M1 kII and I think all the OM-D "5" and "1" version onwards.

 

[Bushboy]

I’m sure it only works if you have a macro lens attached. ? I should try it.

 

[Acraftman]

Your lucky day! You have been misinformed as both my shots above were shot on my E-M5 Mk2. Cant remember if it was in a firmware update or there from the original version. It is also in the E-M1 kII and I think all the OM-D "5" and "1" version onwards.

I will give it a go today thanks.

 

[Vermont3133]

Hand-held, in camera, focus stacking with the EM5ii was amazing when I had one. It's the thing I miss the most now that I'm using a GX85.
With the kosher software the EM5ii will focus stack with a selection of Pro lenses and, I think with the two Oly macro lenses.
However!.......there is a software hack that will allow stacking in the Em5ii with virtually any M43 auto focus lens.
I installed it and had zero problems with it but it's obviously a risk installing something like this.
There is a long thread somewhere in these forums with the DL link and a lot of positive discussion regarding it.

 

[PakkyT]

I’m sure it only works if you have a macro lens attached.

Stacking (different from bracketing) works with a specific set of lenses that support it and most are not macro lenses. The current list is:

• M.ZUIKO ED 30mm F3.5 MACRO
• M.ZUIKO ED 60mm F2.8 MACRO
• M.ZUIKO ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO
• M.ZUIKO ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO
• M.ZUIKO ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO
• M.ZUIKO ED 8mm F1.8 FISHEYE PRO
• M.ZUIKO ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO
• M.ZUIKO ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO
• M.ZUIKO ED 12-45mm F4.0 PRO

 

[Bushboy]

Of course, I forgot about that.
Not that I’d be one to attach a big ugly pro lens on a beautiful M5mkii....

 

[wolfie]

I’m sure it only works if you have a macro lens attached. ? I should try it.

Works with 12-40 Pro and 40-150Pro lenses on E-M5.2 and E-M1.2.

Today was experimenting with the 40-150 Pro with MC14 teleconverter on the 1.2. The lens zoomed at 160mm (35 equiv= 320mm) at f4 aperture at about .7m range.
First photo of series shows how thin the DOF is on apple:

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Then with all images stacked you get the detail underneath:

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And all hand held and done in camera - not too many other cameras can do that.

 

[Lee Perrins]

Nice shots.

Focus stacking / bracketing was actually added to the original EM1 (EM1.1 I suppose) from firmware 4 (Sept 2015) which means even me with my old camera can use it

New main features added in firmware upgrade

1) Focus Stacking Mode (OM-D E-M1 only)
Focus Stacking Mode let you shoot macro photos that are completely in focus at all depths. A single press of the shutter button captures 8 shots with different focal positions, automatically merging them into a single shot on the camera. Depth of field larger than that of minimum aperture and high resolution without diffraction can be achieved.
2) Focus Bracketing Mode
This function captures up to 999 shots with the focus position for each shot being changed, allowing you to use photo retouching software to merge the images with larger depth of field that cannot be achieved in focus stacking mode (8 shots).

Unfortunately I don't own any of the lenses that allow me to use stacking, but I think any lens will allow you to use focus bracketing - I have never used it because I never thought about using it for anything other than macro, so thanks for the idea.

 

[Lee Perrins]

Hand-held, in camera, focus stacking with the EM5ii was amazing when I had one. It's the thing I miss the most now that I'm using a GX85.
With the kosher software the EM5ii will focus stack with a selection of Pro lenses and, I think with the two Oly macro lenses.
However!.......there is a software hack that will allow stacking in the Em5ii with virtually any M43 auto focus lens.
I installed it and had zero problems with it but it's obviously a risk installing something like this.
There is a long thread somewhere in these forums with the DL link and a lot of positive discussion regarding it.

I'm sure I've seen somewhere a hacked firmware for the original EM1 (EM1.1) that removed the limitation on lenses you can use with stacking but I have never been brave enough to install it.

 

[wolfie]

Hand-held, in camera, focus stacking with the EM5ii was amazing when I had one. It's the thing I miss the most now that I'm using a GX85.
With the kosher software the EM5ii will focus stack with a selection of Pro lenses and, I think with the two Oly macro lenses.
However!.......there is a software hack that will allow stacking in the Em5ii with virtually any M43 auto focus lens.
I installed it and had zero problems with it but it's obviously a risk installing something like this.
There is a long thread somewhere in these forums with the DL link and a lot of positive discussion regarding it.

Interesting while I had the M5.2 I also got a GX85 for the 4K video and stills - hated the menu system -worse than Olympus!
Sold it (and the M5) and got a used E-M1.2 - best camera ever -so far!

 

[Vermont3133]

In case anyone is looking for the thread I mentioned....here it is:

https://www.mu-43.com/threads/modified-firmware-looking-for-users.99804/

The download link is on the first page.

The thread goes for 15 pages and I don't remember any negative comments.

I had zero problems installing the software but it's up to each individual to decide what they want to do.

I will say it worked perfectly for me, including with a selection of Pana lenses.