Olympus in-camera focus stacking

[tom mann]

I've been doing more research on this and would like to share some notes with you:

So now that the OMD EM2 is out, the price dropped to below $1000 on the EM1:

http://amzn.to/2jidVzH

note: other Olympus cameras (i.e., other than the EM1) support focus stacking through firmware updates. 

Olympus has a nice write up on what you can do with focus stacking:  http://cameras.olympus.com/stack/en/

Olympus has a 35 and a 60mm true macro, but given the 4/3s sensor these are 70 and 120 equivalent (a little too zoomy for my tastes).  Another option is the 12-50 that has a macro mode good for .7x magnification - good enough for model trains.

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/m-zuiko-lens-msc-ed-m-12-50mm-f3-5-6-3.html

This is normally a $500 dollar lens, but Amazon has a warranty-less verson for $135: http://amzn.to/2i7NFKn (!!)

The lens is more than decent: http://www.imaging-resource.com/lenses/olympus/12-50mm-f3.5-6.3-ez-m.zuiko-digital-ed/review/

As the kit lens for the OM-D E-M5, you couldn't really ask for more; the lens offers excellent results for sharpness, corner shading and distortion. The only sore point for the lens is the extraordinary chromatic aberration noted at the 12mm mark, but happily, it's really only noted in the extreme corners - it's very well-controlled in the central region of the frame, and in other focal lengths. And because image stabilization is present in the camera, taking movies with this lens is a pleasure, coupled with the advanced power zoom functionality.

So you could have a really great 16MP modeling camera for around $1000.

[tom mann]

Ok, the OM-D EM-5 2 with 12-50mm lens, flash, and memory card can now be had for $999 ($600 off): http://amzn.to/2keg550

This lens has a macro mode, and is decent.  But the main benefit with this camera is the automated focus stacking:

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[learmoia]

Maybe it's me on the phone... or youtube.. but that seemed like pretty lame example to try to demonstrate focus stacking..  I hope that wasn't your video tom..

Cool idea...

Can it only Handle 12 shots. Or can it do more?

[tom mann]

Lol, it's not my video and it is indeed subtle. You can take up to 999 shots though!

[basementcalling]

That's a dollar a shot.

Hoping the price comes down even more or the technology so it starts showing up in other cameras.

[learmoia]

Lol, it's not my video and it is indeed subtle. You can take up to 999 shots though!

I just rewatched the video on my pc large screen.. I could tell.. but still a crummy example... then YouTube suggested 5 other better examples.. but all foregin language spoken..

Not a bad video.. but poor subject/composition..

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Some of the smaller companies are really making Canon and Nikon look pretty poor. There are features totally missing in the 80D and 7200 that really many you wonder (no 4k video? No flat shooting plane when rotating the camera in video mode? No second card slot?). I'm not a big Sony fan - I really dislike their proprietary technology and their complete distrust of the consumer - but the A6300 is pretty amazing in low light/high ISO and detail work. Some of their super-zooms are good enough to question the logic of a DSLR or mirrorless at all.

I have been a bit frustrated with the white balance settings on my 80D for the last two weeks. There is a noticeable blue shift that seems to permeate throughout the settings. I don't have time to break out the white board and run a custom white balance setting every time I take a shot.

It's really nice to see other companies push innovation when the market stagnates.

Anyone know if Olympus makes a non-detachable camera with image stacking? I could see myself getting one if it were a few hundred.

[tom mann]

I am tempted by the latest Sony RX10 iii. It is so good they raised the price $200 months after release.

[MK]

The Nikon 7200 is more of a prosumer body.  Take a look at the 500 and you'll get 4K video (though Canon does video better on their DSLRs), second card slot and an auto white balance that the pros are raving about.  I used to do a custom white balance for every basketball game I shoot due to each gym having vastly different lightings.  Now I don't bother.

[wazzou]

Even my D7100 has a second card slot.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I consider the Sony RX10 series a kindred spirit to the F717, which was my first series camera back in 2003. Big lens, very nice glass and a sensor in a class by itself. I still dig out that camera from time to time to play with.

The 80D was about the most expensive camera I could afford, but also the best APC sized sensor currently on a Canon. I have several EF-S lenses so going full frame is not an option. Canon doesn't offer anything with 4k below the $2000 tier, which I think is insane.

White balance is a known issue with the new sensor. I imagine it will be addressed in a future firmware update... I hope.

[MK]

Even my D7100 has a second card slot.

My apologies Bryan.  I'm not that familiar with the Dxxxx line as I am with the Dxxx or Dx lines.  I was not implying that the D7xxx doesn't have a dual card slot.

[MK]

Daniel,

Well with the introduction of the D500, that will probably make Canon respond (they probably have something in the wings already).  Currently the D500 stands king, ready to be leap frogged by something from Canon in the future (rinse and repeat).  The pricing is right at $2k (well, $1995, body only) but I got mine when it was on sale (factory authorized) during the holidays.  $200 off and a free $370 Nikon battery grip.

EDIT: damn, I just realized this is an Oly thread.  Sorry to the OP for crapping on this thread. 

[nscaleSPF2]

I can't help asking a question, given this preamble:

The camera blogs all seem to make a big deal about 4K.  And having a 4K TV, I know that it does produce amazing video during those limited times when my satellite dish produces a 4K signal.  It is noticeably better than 1080.

But for producing home video, like videos of our trains, is it really worth the extra cost?  This is an open question; I'm looking for others' opinions.

(Maybe I should start another thread with this question.  I will if the moderators think I should.)

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Back in the 80's, everyone was happy with 480i (or worse) resolution for camcorders. We are finally in an era where "zoom and enhance" is more than just a meme.

When shooting cousin Bob's third wedding,I guess it would be overkill. But freezing a frame to grab a number on a boxcar or check out era specific details like billboards, high resolution is always better.