Autofocus in Macro Photography? Thoughts on Olympus OM-1
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- Опубліковано 21 кві 2023
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I have both OM-1 and Sony FF and enjoy them both, and I agree with your comments on the compromises. But I am also glad you are going to spend more time with the OM-1 and refine your technique as you get more experience. Each system has their place, I use both, but not necessarily interchangeably, for example, OM-1 for birding and insects with long lenses, Sony FF for events and landscape and low light with shorter lenses. So...carry on!!
Do you think selling the Sony 90mm macro in favor of the Olympus one is a good idea?
What an honest and superb review👌🏻
Thank you 🙂
I have a Canon R with a 90mm Laowa lens and I still enjoy watching your videos! Keep it real Micael
This is fascinating, I look forward to watching as you learn about the OM-1.
I nearly rushed out to buy one ( in addition to Sony a7iii) on the strength of the focus stacking, but it will much better if you give your unbiased
opinion over the next few weeks.
In things of in-camera-stack I think the better quality of photos is achievable through the bracketing in Olympus. Here you can pick a number of photos as high or low as you like. The camera will take the picked amount of photos for you and all you have to do is hold steady. In your PC you can stack those bracketing photos for a good high quality photo! And you can edit the raw files 😄
It's funny to go back and hear you say "I MAY switch" in this old video after watching all your new content.
Don't give up on Olympus you can get some incredible shots in Macro, yes the in camera stacking set up can be difficult to understand at first but once you get it, it works great and you still have all the RAW pictures that make up the stack
I can relate to your walks. Just going on insectsafari and enjoying every minute of it! :) I can't wait for it to be spring again....
Your review on the camera will help me in my desicion to get a new camera.
I inherited a Nikon D 7000 wich is pretty heavy for one hand handling.
So I'm checking different channels, reviews on what light weight camera would be good for macro insect photography.
I'm looking forward to hearing more about your experience with the OM-1. Thanks for sharing all your info. :D
You almost got me convinced in buying one.... but I will hold on to the Nikon a little longer.
What a joy to discover your channel!
Happy to hear that! I made more videos about the Om 1 and I love it
Very important subject matter - there are many ways to achieve an image stack as well as developing/changing camera design systems. Keep upt he good work. We need your help. Thanks mucho!!!
Olympus cameras adjust the focus step size to maintain an approximately constant depth of field per focus step, independent of aperture and subject distance up to a distance of around 2 metres. A focus differential of 2 or 3 is a safe choice. Larger focus differentials risk producing some softening between steps. You will have to decide if this is acceptable to you. Relative to the initial focus point, focus stacking takes 1/3 of the shots closer to the camera and 2/3 farther away. Focus bracketing takes all shots farther away.
Thank you. Very helpful comment!
Great video Micael 🐜🪲🐝🕷 The spider looked almost like an octopus 🐙
I will try my reversed lens rig out soon that I got idea from your video about two years ago 😉👍 (I only tried it when build it but now it has rested for soon almost two years)
Great Video. I have always been a Sony user (A5100, A77ii, RX100V, RX100VII, RX10IV, A7RIV) getting recently a Sony 90mm Macro. But I just recently bought a OM-5 and planning to buy the Olympus 60mm macro, this would be my back up camera.
You are right😊
glad there is some honesty about the success of OM in camera focus stacking. I really hoped buying the 60mm macro fixed the focus breathing issue, that made the in body focus stacking sub optimal (in my testing, YMMV) but no.
I am quiet with the comment but I hope it helps. I use AF-C almost exclusively with my OM-1 and 60mm Macro. No subject detection on or tracking, small AF Point (not the smallest) at the centre and I start from farther away and get in closer and closer until AF-C stops working then I back away and take the shot. The AF-C is so good in macro I haven't found a reason to use manual focus or AF-S. And it works with moving subjects as well as windy days. I got a lot of good shots in the wind with mechanical burst and flash power 1/16 or 1/32 and AF-C.
Glad you got back outside! I'm curious if the sound for this video uses the XLR adapter?
Yes I am using the XLR adapter in the indoor shots. Very happy with the sound quality. I’m never going to use mic jack again - so much noise!
Thanks for your very interesting video! Recently, canon and nikon cameras are able to do focus stacking. But I don't know whether they can do it with flash. I'd appreciate it if someone tell me about this. I just thought focus stacking with a larger sensor will give better quality photos.
Hi Micael, regarding autofocus I would be concerned that if I wanted the maximum 1:1 that my lens can do, I would always be either giving up some magnification by being farther away than the closest focus distance, or risk being too close to the subject for the camera to focus. Also, I have heard that the A7R5 (expensive I know) also has a focus stacking feature. Price aside, this seems like a great camera for macro. Have you had a chance to try one? Thanks!
One of the things I love about the OM-1 and the Fujifilm system I used before is the one thing that I wish Sony would bring to their cameras - that much smaller focusing point. I have to switch to manual focus much quicker with my Sony gear.
BTW: For ants, maybe try animal subject detection with the OM-1. I was surprised how it worked on a slug.
Michael it is good to hear of your interest in M43 and, in particular, the OM-1. I watched your "Autofocus in Macro Photography? Thoughts on Olympus OM-1" video. Just to let you know, I am a humble amateur photographer, not in your league. I Used to shoot Canon FF but switched to Olympus. It may be impolite to say this but I was very annoyed with your comments on the OMS (not Olympus) OM-1. You have not done due diligence; you are not ready to comment in a way that might influence others considering OM-1. That is to say, you do not know how to use the camera well enough. This is a common fault with reviewers who pick up the camera cold, do a shoot and then a "review." This not to say that OM-1 is the greatest or better than FF. Just a couple of examples: (1) You are unsure whether manual or autofocus would be best for your work, but did you know that you can have both by selecting SAF+M or CAF+M? You can also adjust the size of the focus spot. (2) It takes some practice to get the most from HH focus-stacking. Selecting the parameters requires understanding and experience. Richard Turton, who commented below is an expert on the properties of Olympus HH in-camera focus-stacking. You can do a search on DP Review. Joe MacDonald also has some useful videos on the subject. Also, HH in-camera focus-stacking produces a jpg, but you can also get the raw files for PP. Finally, you should note in your discussions that focus bracketing produces a stack of up to 999 raw files. 999 raw files requires a tripod but it is possible to HH more than 15 files/stack. You will need to experiment. (3) Focus-stacking can be mapped to a button on the back of the camera, as can many other special functions.
Can you do a comparison between the OM-1 and Sony a7iv?😊 I can’t decide which to buy. I am leaning towards om-1
Hi Michael. Same hobbies, macro of. Insects and every thing is little. So I wait for your conclusions. Wich is the best choice for insects Sony A7 III, A7 IV or Fuji om -1 and with witch lenses. Great job every time I look your videos 👍 big V from France.
Hello Micael, noticed that you have got a new pope shield diffuser. Was it long delivery time? Suppose it is the magnetic B-modell? Hope that you got the one with aluminum thread. Recommend you to try this new pope shield (with a couple of step up rings) on your Laowa 85 mm lens.
I had this one since last summer. As usual, it took a very long time to get it delivered. I think I waited 3 months lol :) I fits both the Laowa 85mm and the Olympus 60mm. I love it.
after having to switch brands to Fuji from Pentax, I wish I could afford a fuji af macro lens just for focus stacking. Though as it is, the Laowa 65mm manual lens I do have is pretty sweet.
Have you tried the insect detect autofocus on the Sony A7RV or A6700? I saw an amazing Sphinx Moth today and tried to get it in flight on my OM-5 with the Olympus 60mm macro lens and I used autofocus which was terrible. It was moving so fast though that I don’t think I could have gotten in with manual focus. Thinking about Sony now… Thanks!!
Hello Michael,
Is there any chance for you to review the Laowa KX-800 twin macro flash?
Yes I actually have one sitting here in a box. A review will come.
great feedback of pros and cons of full frame vs APC. Would be great if you can share more of those. I am using Canon 7D Mark II now, but i am looking in to moving to mirrorless. Its an expensive move, so I want to make sure its worth it. Would be great to understand the differences and benefits
The Olympus system is actually even smaller than APS-C, it is Micro Four Thirds. The main benefit with this system is the speed, and that you can do in-body focus stacks completely automatically.
I'm an old guy and I'm going to sell my R5/100mm combo. My OM-1, 60mm, v350o flash, Cygnustech diffuser is easy for me to one-hand. I have the shutter half-press set to AE only but I use it to start IBIS and then back button focus. I can't single-hand the R5.
I have an OM1 and use the Olympus 60mm. I generally have autofocus on and have subject detection set to 'bird'. It seems that many insects are close enough to birds and it tends to pick them. I have got some good results on flying insects that I would not have got with previous cameras but also am happy to have 'bird' on when I am photographing beetles or other less bird like things..
With focus stacking the OM1 retains all the photos. You are often better off using software to stack the photos. The OM1 is not nearly as good at handling the handheld movement as other software packages.
I find that the OM1 can be used in single shot if you have flash and around F13. Ants will be all in focus. No stacking required.
Hi, do you plan to try the Laowa 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe lens on the OM system?
No such plans. I already reviewed that lens, and I don't think it is a great fit for an MFT sensor.
I’ve been using auto focus for years for macro. :)
Don't buy a system just because it's recommended or used by a UA-cam creator. Buy the system that you personally feel the best about and that you can handle the best. You may need to adjust a little because of sensor sizes.
Nice to see you back again in the nature.
When Olympus does in camera focus stack it always crops near the black frame you see when you engage this mode.
Some users are experiencing issues with the OM1 & V350o- are you experiencing any issues with focus stacking (with flash) with this combo?
No it works perfect for me. What kinds of issues do they have?
Hi Micael, thanks for all your content here! Do you know any Lens with autofocus and a magnification at least to 2:1 for Sony E-Mount? If yes - time to consider to sell my 90mm Sony macro perhaps. If no i think i will go to the 85mm Laowa and for even more with the AstrHori 25mm... thanks!
No such lens exists. Best thing you can do if you want high magnification and autofocus is to attach a Raynox 250 to your Sony 90mm
@@MicaelWidell Thanks! Did you ever compared the difference between the Micro Four Third Sensor vs Full Frame Sensor in terms of depth of fiel? How more DOP you get with a MFT Sensor on the same magnification? I think that's the real game changer, or a big reason to switch to MFT for macro, isn't it?
There are always compromises. My mirrorless R7 has great dynamic range and pixel density, as well as high frame rate bursts for stacking. However I like my 6D FF as looking though the viewfinder is in real time so you know the second you press the shutter when things are in focus it is instant. There is a slight lag with EV and live view. It is usually an annoyance when tracking birds with a long telephoto. Then there are bright days where you can't see anything on the screen even at max brightness.
Hey Micael.
I can't pick a camera from this list for macro photography. Help me :
Sony A7II
Lumix DC- GX9
Canon 90D
Which one would you choose?
Of these three I would personally pick the Sony. And then buy a Laowa macro lens for it. Really good kit.
@@MicaelWidell Thank you! Hnd
I finally tried the focus stacking feature in my EM1-MIII but for some reason when using a flash, I did use 2 different speedlites, instead of being able to go up to 1/250 I was only able to go to a maximum of 1/50. Very strange an I tried everything but to no avail... 🤔🤷
The stacking use the electronic shutter, and I think there is limit for flash speed.
@@torkelstenqvist1279 Good and accurate reply. It is all about the electronic shutter being used in stacking, which requires a much lower synch speed.
@@torkelstenqvist1279 ahhhhhh, thank you! I never thought of that. Have a good day.
@@stephenbarlow2493 thank you!
Yes i found this out too to my dismay. I have the EM1 mk 1 and with a flash your lucky to be able to get away with 1/20 for stacking with a flash. Why the option of mech shutter isnt an option is beyond me.
Some micro four thirds cameras have so called pixel shift technology. Have it on my Panasonic Lumix G9 and I thought that the OM-1 has it too. The camera (?on a tripod?) takes several exposures with the sensor shifting around and then combines the images into one with say a 40-ish megapixel result instead of just 20. Makes image cropping in post possible.
DP Review compared the G9 with the EM1 mark iii and thought that this worked better on the Olympus. So if the OM-1 has this feature then one of the "problems" with MFT you talked about will go away (?). Maybe do a review about this?
Pixel shift is fine for landscapes and static subject when using a solid camera support. You can't use it handheld for macro photography, and you especially can't use it handheld when focus bracketing. When I'm shooting macro with my G9, I try to get as close to a final crop as possible. But I don't find the dynamic range as limiting as Micael suggests. My raw files from the G9 at lower ISO give me good latitude to bring up shadows.
@@bjnslc so pixel shift would work with non-hand heldag macro eh?
I don't know if this is relevant to your discussion, but OM-1 has hand-held pixel shift at 50 mp and tripod pixel shift at 80 mp. But not when stacking or bracketing is enabled. Could still use it for single shots. But not with flash.
It seems like you're missing having 2x magnification available on this lens, much looser crops than your typical images! Is there an autofocus 2x option for Olympus?
If you want to get an exact magnification (on the sensor!) the you have to use manual focus, as the exact magnification corresponds to an exact distance between the lens and the object.
Further, it is the new 90 mm that offers 2x magnification, while the 60mm Micael is using goes to 1:1.
@@torkelstenqvist1279 the 60mm has 1:1 but it is the 35mm equivalent field of view of 2x.
@Nate Danforth
I, being a metallurgist and having measured particle sizes on negatives, think this is a big misconception.
The magnification is measured on the sensor!
Crop factor doesn't matter when you look at the sensor.
When you have the image, you can enlarge it any amount, and the enlargement will depend on the screen size/crop.
If you take a picture of a 10 mm ant, it will be 10 mm on the sensor if you use 1:1 on any format, whether 4:3, 35mm, or 6x6 cm.
And from any format, you can enlarge it to be 100 cm on a printed picture, i.e. magnificaton 1:100.
@@torkelstenqvist1279 you are 100 percent correct! No argument whatsoever from me. But, as it relates to cropping to get a tighter field of view, for the intent and purposes of macro photography and this thread, a 1:1 lens on a m43 sensor gives a field of view as if you were using a 2x lens. And that's what started this stream of comments was that in theory he should need to do less cropping because of the nature of the 4/3 sensor.
Aren't all winters in Sweden long? 😄
I guess 😝
Which one you like sony A74 or om1
Not sure yet. Need to use the om-1 more. They are both great but in different ways.
Tnx bro i just wait ur review
Smiles, yes brand "fanboys", they do not understand that a camera is a tool and that no tool is perfect. I have m43 cameras as my main tool, but also have both Nikon and Canon, and next will be Fuji GFX. But also analogue cameras from 35mm, MF and LF. You just have to know which tool is best for the individual task. I can change most of my lenses from one system to the other. So use the same lens both with the GFX and m43. I do not care.
Using autofocus in macro photography wastes about half of the DOF because it will always focus on the nearest element of the subject and thus place the plane of focus onto that body feature - but DOF extends both towards you and away from you in equal amounts (in macro photography the 1/3 : 2/3 split doesn't apply unless you take the wrong DOF calculator which calculates DOF with the approximation for distant subjects close to hyperfocal distance). The part of the DOF that extends from the plane of focus towards you only contains thin air but nothing of the subject - thus is wasted when using autofocus.
Trade in your Sony for a superior OM-1.