Just want to say…thanks to you and your videos I’ve just managed to capture shots of the Mars Occultation with my OM1, 100-400 + 1.4TC in HHHR mode. Obviously not up to telescope standard but I’m delighted. Thank you! 😊
Excellent Information!!! Thank you Alex!!! Thinking about it, I believe you may be getting better results from the HHHR mode then the HR mode because the HHHR mode aligns each shot during the stacking process. Therefore, if the tracking is not perfect, you only have one frame of time of inaccuracy...in this case 1 minute. However, in the HR mode, all the shots are stacked without internal alignment so you have the tracking inaccuracy of the entire batch. If that is 16 one minute shots, then you have the combined tracking inaccuracy of 16 minutes. This would require the tracker (and tripod) to be of exceptional quality and have auto guiding as well. From what I have read, very few trackers can track perfectly over that length of time. Just a thought.
Absolutely LOVE your videos . Thank u so much ! Question- i am new to OM -1 . i Did star trails . Forgot to turn off VR - tripod, yes . Big deal or not ?? Thank you !!! Do u recommend VR off with tripod ??
As a note I believe the system fails to stack when there isn’t enough information to align the images. A too shaky set up could cause that, moving clouds etc. But if scene recognition cannot find enough events to align it will not align.
The subject must be reasonably contrasty and non-moving in the time-frame of the repeated exposures. I so far failed with the HHHR mode for stars altogether. Today I did extensive tests in the daylight on a terrace overlooking the sea, E-M1 MkIII 45mm F1.8 on a tripod. For frames including only the sea and the horizon, perhaps with distant boats, HHHR failed all the time. Adding some features such as a distant cliff or a tree trunk immediately lead to success. With careful manual pre-focusing even the sky with some small clouds was good enough to make it work (the clouds were virtually motionless). Tripod high resolution mode works all the time because if fully ignores the content of the image and uses just geometrical shifts. Obviously, as Alex shows, HHHR can work with stars. I suppose the following conditions must apply 1) reasonably dark skies (good luck for me and others) 2) perfect focusing 3) based on my tests, clouds may not hurt, or ironically improve your chances if the stars are not clear enough If you can afford relatively low ISO go for the Tripod HR mode!
Hand held high resolution modes takes 16 images at the set shutter speed - there fore a 1 min exposure will take 16 minutes to collect the image to be stacked
Alex, at 11:00 you suggest that noise reduction may be the problem for HHHR failure. I believe this not to be the case. I managed to fail with the HHHR mode in broad daylight and ISO 200, no noise reductions. The problem with stars arises when the sky is not dark enough or the focus may be off. Have a look at my answer to A Latchin below.
If you shout longer than 60 seconds in handheld HiRes modes untracked - the sensor cannot move enough during the entire 16 image capture to align the stars correctly
They're ok. if you're going for ultimate portability, the V platform is nice... but it doesn't have those micro adjustment knobs and making the fine alignment isn't as easy. I'll be reviewing soon
Hi Alex…I know I read somewhere that using the Omd Em 1 m3 or m2 needed to be connected with intervalometer and rotator a little differently. I’d appreciate your help or where it’s explained. Thanks for your videos…
Thank you for this video! I tested this out last night for the first time. The camera was unable to composite the images (60”, f/3.2, ISO 2000) at the end of the 16 minutes. I tried several times. Then, I tested it at home today, and it worked fine. What I believe the problem was is that there were small clouds that moved into the images, and it confused the camera. Does that sound like a viable possibility?
Hi Alex, I’ve been trying to get this to work, but the successful composites are sporadic, and I can’t find a common variable for success! Very frustrating but still trying. If you have any further insight, let me know. Thank you!! If I figure it out, I’ll post the details.
I've got firmware 1.2... I'm looking forward to using my MSM, EM1.3 and 8mm f/1.8 and 7-14mm f/2.8 at the end of next month for the first time. So are you saying that you turned off NR for the HHHR astro shots? Did you leave NR on and use HHHR (to duplicate the ERROR problem)? Also, I'd love for any tips for me to practice using MSM and my Oly gear BEFORE I head to Joshua Tree in May.
So... I never use in body noise reduction. I've always left it off and have never had an issue. I will turn it on and test that to see is is the issue. I'd say for the msm... just set up everything during the day to make sure you know how it works...c and keep the laser WARM! it dies really fast in cold weather
I have a question I haven't been able to figure out, I just got a MSM Tracker, and I have the Oly E-M1.3, with both an 8mm f1.8 Fisheye Pro, and a 17mm f1.2 Pro lens. How do I use the flash cable, with the Olympus camera? I've seen 100 videos and everyone is telling you how to screw everything together, but not one says how to actually use the tracker with the built in camera settings. Thank you for all of the amazing content on how to take these photos, I've been able to get one somewhat nice photo with the HHHR mode on a tripod with my 8mm Fisheye.
ua-cam.com/video/ZTWmMbfSXc8/v-deo.html I touch on it in this video... the short answer is that using the hot shoe doesn't really work perfectly with olympus.... but give that video a watch
@@chasingluminance I went to that video, and now it makes sense. That function is not really needed if you're just trying to get a one or two minute milky way shot. I need to slow down, and figure out just the basics of taking one type of astro shot. Thank you for the tips, I seriously like the way you break things down.
Hey Alex, have you worked out the optimal iso for tracked astro images on the E-M1 Mk III at all? At the moment I'm shooting around iso 800 (not high res) and wondered if you'd played around with this at all?
I haven’t done a proper iso invariance test… but in my non scientific experience 800 has been working really well. It’s my go to.if i have the proper tracker alignment,
@@chasingluminance Thank you, that's promising. I'm wondering about photographing nebulae, and 150mm would cover quite a few. (I'm Southern Hemisphere and spoilt with Milky Way targets.)
How did you get the red tones appear in your final image? Is it all post processing or is your olympus astro modified? If it is modified, can you recommend the modification or do you recognize any restrictions?
Hi, for the dummies among us, like me 😁, could you please give us all your menu setting? I’ve just got this camera and can’t say the menu’s (or manual) are very user friendly
Ok...a summary for me the HR Tripod mode did not stack the images and the HHHR Mode does? But in this video ua-cam.com/video/N2Clx-bxKFo/v-deo.html you compare the tripod HR Mode (80MX) with the normal and the HHHR image...i am a little confused? Could i use the HHHR mode on a tripod?
Sorry to say! I would take only "normal" exposures, and stack a lot of them.... And sure: You need to learn how to process Deep Sky Pictures. You also need seldom more resolution here by "HR Mode" but what you need: A lot (30-60 would be good) Lights for stacking. By stacking a lot of (good, preselected frames only otherwise: garbage in - garbage out ;-) ) Lights you will eliminate artefacts like satellites and you can yo drizzle stacking (same as HHHR) but much more better and downscale. But our normal conditions what we have in northern Hemisphere is most of the time not good enough to give a benefit. And I like my mFT45/1.8 (mFT75/1.8 and Samyang 135/2) at Deep Sky a lot.
Just want to say…thanks to you and your videos I’ve just managed to capture shots of the Mars Occultation with my OM1, 100-400 + 1.4TC in HHHR mode. Obviously not up to telescope standard but I’m delighted. Thank you! 😊
Excellent Information!!! Thank you Alex!!! Thinking about it, I believe you may be getting better results from the HHHR mode then the HR mode because the HHHR mode aligns each shot during the stacking process. Therefore, if the tracking is not perfect, you only have one frame of time of inaccuracy...in this case 1 minute. However, in the HR mode, all the shots are stacked without internal alignment so you have the tracking inaccuracy of the entire batch. If that is 16 one minute shots, then you have the combined tracking inaccuracy of 16 minutes. This would require the tracker (and tripod) to be of exceptional quality and have auto guiding as well. From what I have read, very few trackers can track perfectly over that length of time. Just a thought.
Yeah, I think I'm on the same page as you. Hhhr for the win
Absolutely LOVE your videos . Thank u so much !
Question- i am new to OM -1 . i Did star trails . Forgot to turn off VR - tripod, yes . Big deal or not ?? Thank you !!! Do u recommend VR off with tripod ??
I leave ibis on in the body but turn of vr on the lens
Awesome update. Thanks for working through this. Much appreciated!
Thanks for watching!
As a note I believe the system fails to stack when there isn’t enough information to align the images. A too shaky set up could cause that, moving clouds etc. But if scene recognition cannot find enough events to align it will not align.
The subject must be reasonably contrasty and non-moving in the time-frame of the repeated exposures. I so far failed with the HHHR mode for stars altogether. Today I did extensive tests in the daylight on a terrace overlooking the sea, E-M1 MkIII 45mm F1.8 on a tripod. For frames including only the sea and the horizon, perhaps with distant boats, HHHR failed all the time. Adding some features such as a distant cliff or a tree trunk immediately lead to success. With careful manual pre-focusing even the sky with some small clouds was good enough to make it work (the clouds were virtually motionless). Tripod high resolution mode works all the time because if fully ignores the content of the image and uses just geometrical shifts.
Obviously, as Alex shows, HHHR can work with stars. I suppose the following conditions must apply
1) reasonably dark skies (good luck for me and others)
2) perfect focusing
3) based on my tests, clouds may not hurt, or ironically improve your chances if the stars are not clear enough
If you can afford relatively low ISO go for the Tripod HR mode!
Interesting. Some of the same benefit as the Pentax Astro tracker
Hand held high resolution modes takes 16 images at the set shutter speed - there fore a 1 min exposure will take 16 minutes to collect the image to be stacked
Alex, at 11:00 you suggest that noise reduction may be the problem for HHHR failure. I believe this not to be the case. I managed to fail with the HHHR mode in broad daylight and ISO 200, no noise reductions. The problem with stars arises when the sky is not dark enough or the focus may be off. Have a look at my answer to A Latchin below.
If you shout longer than 60 seconds in handheld HiRes modes untracked - the sensor cannot move enough during the entire 16 image capture to align the stars correctly
Another excellent one. You even have a dislike this time. So you know you’re doing something right.
Makes me real.
Thanks for tips.
Thanks. Very interesting
Great video. How do you like using the V/Z platforms instead of the wedge?
They're ok. if you're going for ultimate portability, the V platform is nice... but it doesn't have those micro adjustment knobs and making the fine alignment isn't as easy. I'll be reviewing soon
Please make video about how to use MSM for moon photography with/without polar alignment?
Good morning, a great video, what would be the best objective for this type of photography in your opinion?
best objective? creating pretty pictures of the night?
hi just been watching your video have you used the "starry sky" AF mode. which a special feature on this camera
Yes, and it works GREAT
Hi Alex…I know I read somewhere that using the Omd Em 1 m3 or m2 needed to be connected with intervalometer and rotator a little differently. I’d appreciate your help or where it’s explained. Thanks for your videos…
Thank you for this video! I tested this out last night for the first time. The camera was unable to composite the images (60”, f/3.2, ISO 2000) at the end of the 16 minutes. I tried several times. Then, I tested it at home today, and it worked fine. What I believe the problem was is that there were small clouds that moved into the images, and it confused the camera. Does that sound like a viable possibility?
This is such a strange bit of technology. It's hard to be sure.... but clouds seem like they could mess things up
Hi Alex, I’ve been trying to get this to work, but the successful composites are sporadic, and I can’t find a common variable for success! Very frustrating but still trying. If you have any further insight, let me know. Thank you!! If I figure it out, I’ll post the details.
I’ve never been able to get it to work. Very disappointing.
I'm sorry, that's frustrating. I wish I was able to help more.
If hhhr doesn't work, stacking images on the computer works very well too
I could not make it work either... perhaps the contrast in the sky is too low? Thinking Bortle 5 and up?
I've got firmware 1.2... I'm looking forward to using my MSM, EM1.3 and 8mm f/1.8 and 7-14mm f/2.8 at the end of next month for the first time. So are you saying that you turned off NR for the HHHR astro shots? Did you leave NR on and use HHHR (to duplicate the ERROR problem)? Also, I'd love for any tips for me to practice using MSM and my Oly gear BEFORE I head to Joshua Tree in May.
So... I never use in body noise reduction. I've always left it off and have never had an issue. I will turn it on and test that to see is is the issue. I'd say for the msm... just set up everything during the day to make sure you know how it works...c and keep the laser WARM! it dies really fast in cold weather
Thanks didn't realise there was a Firmware update, I'd better update my camera
1.3 is the latest
I have a question I haven't been able to figure out, I just got a MSM Tracker, and I have the Oly E-M1.3, with both an 8mm f1.8 Fisheye Pro, and a 17mm f1.2 Pro lens. How do I use the flash cable, with the Olympus camera? I've seen 100 videos and everyone is telling you how to screw everything together, but not one says how to actually use the tracker with the built in camera settings. Thank you for all of the amazing content on how to take these photos, I've been able to get one somewhat nice photo with the HHHR mode on a tripod with my 8mm Fisheye.
ua-cam.com/video/ZTWmMbfSXc8/v-deo.html
I touch on it in this video... the short answer is that using the hot shoe doesn't really work perfectly with olympus.... but give that video a watch
@@chasingluminance I went to that video, and now it makes sense. That function is not really needed if you're just trying to get a one or two minute milky way shot. I need to slow down, and figure out just the basics of taking one type of astro shot. Thank you for the tips, I seriously like the way you break things down.
Yeah, that's just for time-lapse. I'm going to Mae a revised set up video this summer
Could you please share some of your settings for the 7-14 Olympus lens for MSM tracker MW shots?
If your on Instagram or FB give me a follow @chasing.luminance . I always post settings in the caption
Hey Alex, have you worked out the optimal iso for tracked astro images on the E-M1 Mk III at all? At the moment I'm shooting around iso 800 (not high res) and wondered if you'd played around with this at all?
I haven’t done a proper iso invariance test… but in my non scientific experience 800 has been working really well. It’s my go to.if i have the proper tracker alignment,
Once we must use stacking in post-processing we can use drizzle even can do 3x enlarge.
Don't really suggest to use high-res mode.
what you mean " can use drizzle even can do 3x enlarge"
In the HHHR tracking mode have you tried using a longer focal length lens ? eg 200mm or even more,
I've done it successfully with the 40-150 at 150
@@chasingluminance Thank you, that's promising. I'm wondering about photographing nebulae, and 150mm would cover quite a few. (I'm Southern Hemisphere and spoilt with Milky Way targets.)
How did you get the red tones appear in your final image? Is it all post processing or is your olympus astro modified? If it is modified, can you recommend the modification or do you recognize any restrictions?
No mod, just some processing. Second half of this video
ua-cam.com/video/-LRJnGsrgVo/v-deo.html
Amazing review, you're a genius.
Flattery will get you nothing. Lol... I mean thank you
@@chasingluminance excellent, lol....
Hi, for the dummies among us, like me 😁, could you please give us all your menu setting? I’ve just got this camera and can’t say the menu’s (or manual) are very user friendly
The menue systems are a struggle... I'll work on that
@@chasingluminance thank you 🙂
hey u know the wordt thing with utube is that i cant give the thumb up twice
thank you so much!!
Ok...a summary for me the HR Tripod mode did not stack the images and the HHHR Mode does? But in this video ua-cam.com/video/N2Clx-bxKFo/v-deo.html you compare the tripod HR Mode (80MX) with the normal and the HHHR image...i am a little confused? Could i use the HHHR mode on a tripod?
Yeah, I always use the hhhr mode on a tripod. It shouldn't work, but it does
@@chasingluminance This is a pretty important detail that I was looking for.
Sorry to say!
I would take only "normal" exposures, and stack a lot of them.... And sure: You need to learn how to process Deep Sky Pictures.
You also need seldom more resolution here by "HR Mode" but what you need: A lot (30-60 would be good) Lights for stacking. By stacking a lot of (good, preselected frames only otherwise: garbage in - garbage out ;-) ) Lights you will eliminate artefacts like satellites and you can yo drizzle stacking (same as HHHR) but much more better and downscale. But our normal conditions what we have in northern Hemisphere is most of the time not good enough to give a benefit.
And I like my mFT45/1.8 (mFT75/1.8 and Samyang 135/2) at Deep Sky a lot.