Focus stacking with Olympus 40-150 f2.8 Pro

I was asked to take some photos for a Swiss watchmaker. I was excited, as it gave me a chance to try the new macro capabilities of the OMD-EM1 (fw4.1). It was seriously useful. I had to play around with the focus differential (lower worked better for macro). The watchmaker was really happy with the results. I could not have got the best shots without this new powerful feature. I will confidently jump at this kind of job again. Bring on the EM1mkII 

Focus stacking in action. I think I would need f22 to get this all in focus normally. This was roughly the full frame.

This was not taken with focus stacking, but I like the shot (and the watch).

Great detail in this shot. It's like, focusing everywhere.

This is an example of using the 40-140pro without the focus stacking.

These are great. What software did you use to merge the shots?

The stacking is built in - it came with the last firmware upgrade along with the allied post focus facility. E-M1 only, though, not on the Pen F or other E-Ms.

You can do it better in Photoshop if you have a very tricky subject where you might need more than 8 frames to stack but the E-M1 does it just as well otherwise.

Your information is dated, both EM10 II and EM5 II now support focus stacking after firmware update.

lapdog99 wrote:

Your information is dated, both EM10 II and EM5 II now support focus stacking after firmware update.

Bracketing or in-camera stacking?

... the E-M5II and E-M10II support focus bracketing.

Cheers.

Yep only E-M1 has the actual stacking. But re-asking from a few posts back... What do or would you guys use for stacking?

My infirmation is dated? I have all of these cameras on my desk with the latest firmware. They have bracketing not stacking. The E-M1 in my hands has both.

Can you shiw me a menu screenshot of any other Olympus camera that has stacking? The Pen F I am using now does not have stacking.  Can you point me to the firmware upgrade for it please?

tomrandall86 wrote:

Yep only E-M1 has the actual stacking. But re-asking from a few posts back... What do or would you guys use for stacking?  Tom

I personally always use Phototshop CS6 with very satisfactory results.

David

tomrandall86 wrote:

Yep only E-M1 has the actual stacking. But re-asking from a few posts back... What do or would you guys use for stacking?

Something like this if the bug/insect does not move. 

Focus stacked using the 40-150mm + MC14

I'm curious as to why you used the 40-150mm and not the 60mm.

DavidH202 wrote:

tomrandall86 wrote:

Yep only E-M1 has the actual stacking. But re-asking from a few posts back... What do or would you guys use for stacking? Tom

I personally always use Phototshop CS6 with very satisfactory results.

David

Photoshop is good, but I find Helicon Focus a bit better in mode C.

Martin.au wrote:

lapdog99 wrote:

Your information is dated, both EM10 II and EM5 II now support focus stacking after firmware update.

Bracketing or in-camera stacking?

It does both. You can choose focus bracketing, and the camera will take multiple exposures varying the focus distance, and then there is an option to process the images into a single JPG immediately after completing the bracketed exposure

bigley Ling wrote:

Martin.au wrote:

lapdog99 wrote:

Your information is dated, both EM10 II and EM5 II now support focus stacking after firmware update.

Bracketing or in-camera stacking?

It does both. You can choose focus bracketing, and the camera will take multiple exposures varying the focus distance, and then there is an option to process the images into a single JPG immediately after completing the bracketed exposure

In the E-M10 II and E-M5 II. I don't think so, and a few others have said the same. Unless there's been a very recent firmware update, these cameras have bracketing only, and the stacking has to be done in software. Only the E-M1 can process in camera.

Very impressive.  It's a pity insects don't take lessons from watches on how to sit still

Trevor Carpenter wrote:

Very impressive. It's a pity insects don't take lessons from watches on how to sit still

Well mine did Trevor! See my post above.

awesome, spring is nearly with me unfortunately I don't own an E-M1