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It's probably one of the most common "click-click" images one can do when doing "macro" or "close-ups". You know, water droplets on the kitchen sink, or taking detail images of the sink itself...
*rolling my eyes*
Handheld Focus stacking
I only did a few testing with what is called handheld Focus Stacking. Only once earlier, i tested tripod camera mounted focus stacking - but had no idea, that handheld focus stacking was a thing, which works, too. So, kudos to Olympus for making it this fun and easy, to say the least !
With the Olympus EM1X i use in this case above, my existent 60mm Macro, which is a 120 mm lens, and some focus stacking. I think the ISO was on the higher side with ISO 400-1600.
Everything worked very well ! Surprisingly well, i must say. The first impression I get, is that you get close ups which are generally much sharper overall, albeit i only used a relatively wide aperture of ƒ3.5 in the case of the drain.
It makes sense, that people love focus stacking !
No wonder, that people have gotten more seriously into macro photography with Olympus cameras, because this feature - is equivalently useful when used handheld - giving off much higher quality (clarity in fine details, higher sharpness impression) The zone of sharpness is increased, albeit you are using almost wide open apertures like ƒ 2.8 or ƒ4 - and get away with it.
That is impressive. And so fun !!! (Now remember i am total amateur in this genre)
Without focus stacking
Normally; the closer you get to a subject with a macro lens, the tinier / shallower the zone of sharpness becomes. To a point where it is less than a millimeter deep - and the rest in the image turns more or less blurry. But focus stacking - or - focus bracketing you can use, too (but here you use an app in post processing to get a series of images with various focus in "place"). It kind of enlarges the usefulness of a macro lens considerably. And being able to do this handheld with Olympus cameras - is certainly a major bonus and a lot of fun !
In an Olympus camera, the automatic focus stacking feature, allows up to 15 images. You can also use focus bracketing with almost endless amounts of images... but the post processing of those, you have to do yourself, in apps like Photoshop or Helicon.
Anyway.
I simply wanted to test the handheld focus stacking - to see how that turns out. Well, I am delighted of course. Albeit i only use the final JPG file, then adding a bit of Topaz Noise AI - it turns out really good, even at higher ISO like 1250.
Macro flashes & normal flashes
Oh. the macro stacking feature, also supports flashes and macro flashes. So, that's another section I have not yet tested. Kind of interesting, how much the world can open up... the world of small things. The only restriction i can sense, is the limitation of my fantasy.
The mind of limitation
I've never really thought so much about the tiniest stuff that surrounds our world !!! I mean, i haven't really been into any of that, in my photography. So, talk about feeling "small". Like having a wall in front of my eyes, not able to feel, sense and see that world (yet). Or at least not yet in a creative way.
I have seen what others have done in real macro photography, and boy... it often takes away my breath, how stunning some of them are. Like really, really stunning and fascinating.
OK. Now; One step at the time.
Super Macro - waiting at the post office
My brand new OM System ED 90mm ƒ 3.5 IS PRO Macro lens, is now waiting at the post office and I'll get it during the day, while i do other errands, to prepare for the dinner with friends on Sunday. It's actually Sal who does all the kitchen magic. I only buy and pay the stuff we need for, and wine and sparkling wine etc. |
