focus bracketing

[DanK]

Both of my cameras have focus bracketing, and I've been experimenting more with this feature on my OM-1 II, working without a tripod. I don't use the camera's compositing; I load the stack into Zerene. For close-ups or macro, it's tough because the effectiveness of image stabilization drops as you get closer. However, I'm getting the hang of it. The image below I took handheld while hiking yesterday. It's 7 shots in total. I used the 12-40 mm f/2.8 lens (24-80 equivalent). I think it's technically acceptable, but comments welcome, of course.

[connectinfosoft]

Handheld focus stacking on a hike takes serious patience and a steady breath, but you nailed this!
Merging those 7 frames in Zerene really paid off the depth of field is spot-on, capturing crisp detail from the velvety concentric rings of the bracket fungi all the way to the textured lichen behind them. It's great proof that with the OM-1 II’s IBIS and good technique, you can leave the heavy tripod at home and still pull off razor-sharp micro-landscapes on the trail.

[LenR]

Dan, not something I have dabbled in but the results you have achieved look quite satisfactory.
I would wonder about cloning out the bright fungus on the left side and perhaps the dark rectangle bottom left, although I note there is a spider there..........

[DanK]

Dan, not something I have dabbled in but the results you have achieved look quite satisfactory.
I would wonder about cloning out the bright fungus on the left side and perhaps the dark rectangle bottom left, although I note there is a spider there..........

Len,

Good suggestions. If this were in the 'deserves to be printed' pile, I think I would make both of the changes you suggest. However, I don't think this image will make that cut.

I have used manual focus bracketing for years for flowers shot in my studio. However, both the R6 II and the OM-1 II offer in camera bracketing. The OM-1 offers two versions, named differently. One takes the stack and then creates a composite JPEG. the other just creates the stack. I do the latter. I then cull the images that are too far forward or back to be useful and export the rest to Zerene for compositing.

The OM-1 has phenomenal image stabilization (supposedly 8.5 stops with that particular lens), but at very close distances, it doesn't suffice when you are as unsteady as I seem to be. the Fuchsia I posted a day or two ago in the nature forum here was done with monopod to lessen camera motion.

Dan