The Best COMPLETE Insect Macro Photography Kit under $1000

[@badshoes]

Just bought my first macro lens and this video is perfect!

[@rantonvideo]

The models OM-1 II, OM-1, E-M1 X, E-M1 III, and E-M1 II have focus bracketing with max. 999 frames and focus stacking with max. 15 frames. The models OM-5, E-M5 III, E-M5 II and E-M1 have focus bracketing with max. 999 frames and focus stacking with max. 8 frames. The models E-M10 IV, E-M10 III/IIIs and E-M10 II have focus bracketing with max. 8 frames and NO focus stacking.

[@ComteZera]

On the EM-10 mark II there are the focus bracketing too. I used it a lot with the 60mm with the extension ring. And if you're lucky, some extension rings allow you to use it with the MC-20 or MC-14 (I was able to try it out with an MC-20 that I'd been lent). Now I have the 90mm and I like it a lot even if I don't see any difference in image quality compared with the 60mm. That's how good the 60mm is.

[@biancadupont2931]

Thanks!

[@MicaelWidell]

Thanks for the tip :)

[@WILD360_]

Yeah Micael it's class Combination with suitable expansis 🎉

[@charlesglass7015]

Thanks

[@MicaelWidell]

Thanks for the support!

[@celeselopez7373]

This was such a great video. I'd like to expand my photography to include macro and this was extremely helpful. Thanks

[@MicaelWidell]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bens_small_world]

Great video Micael and thanks for the shoutout! The E-M1 MKII with the M.Zuiko 60mm is such a killer combo for a fraction of the price of the most recent OM SYSTEM gear.

[@neuvatn]

Oooh! This is gonna be interesting. Been meaning to get into macro more.

[@mkuan8094]

An even cheaper camera, olympus EM-1 mark 1 also allows focus stacking and focus bracketing. A cheap lens can be eiither the M.zuiko 30mm or 60mm. Personally, the 60mm is much much better with the maximum magnification of 2x with a good working distance

[@zivamartinov6049]

You are right, but the flash sync time is 1/13 second.

[@runematthijssens2304]

Can we get a closet tour? Some interesting stuff in there.

[@MicaelWidell]

I did a few in the past, but the videos weren't that popular so I don't think I will make more soon unfortunately

[@eight7sixjoe]

Fujifilm XT4, XH2 etc has Focus bracketing as well

[@1p1p3p4p5]

Loved this video, I think I might invest in this budget setup. I'll let you know how I go (never done macro work before)

[@ericlundquist3466]

Om1-90mm macro lens i got in November. So all the bugs were gone and to be honest, i find winter macro boring lol. I find myself going out to parks, etc with my 90mm and 20mm pro, thinking...."naw.. not much to shoot thats interesting ". I do need to get that flash you recommended before March though. Bugs come back out

[@paulcollingridge8387]

Hunt Holly twigs under birch trees, they are likely covered in Birch Catkin Bug, even in snowy weather

[@newtuber4freedom43]

I tend to go flashless due to weight, bulk and places I go do not allow flashes ... on my DMC-G9, but lately Olympus is so tempting. I haven't gotten one yet because I have heard Olympus overheats quickly which will ruin a day of fun and photos. Fence - still on it. Great video!!!

[@MicaelWidell]

I never heard anyone having problems with Olympus overheating? And it never happened to me. Maybe when filming?

[@highwayman1224]

Mine has never overheated 🤷🤷

[@stevegeorge7773]

Im punting having a Fuji XT-4 I could go down the same route.

[@marcodeoliveira9933]

Hi, any particular reason you recommended that model over the others if i might find some of the others at a similar used price? Thanks.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

I just received a Panasonic 30mm Macro for Father's day and I am using it with my G9. Could you recommend a flash and diffuser please?

[@Oasislad22]

Hi, thanks for the video, so helpful. I am just wondering if this would be good for taking photos of peoples eyes (iris)?

[@MicaelWidell]

Pretty much all macro lenses would work well for this

[@caltari]

I have the Godox TT350 that uses AA batteries and I find the recycling time slows down after a 5 shot burst at 1/16 power.

[@MicaelWidell]

Yes I compared that flash with the v350 and the latter performs a lot better

[@dronivco2363]

hi, Micael...But what's the difference between the use focus bracketing or stacking? tanks

[@MicaelWidell]

Technically there is no difference. But in the menu of the Olympus cameras, they are slightly different. Bracketing will automatically try to compile the stack in the camera, while stacking will just take the photos.

[@leendertvisser1316]

My macro kit is the Panasonic GX9 + m.Zuiko 60mm macro + Nissin i40 flash. I don't like the small EVF of the GX9. I think the Panasonic G90 is a better choice. Are you planning to make a review of the Panasonic S5II with the new Panasonic 100mm f2.8 macro?

[@MicaelWidell]

Probably not going to review Panasonics new macro lens. It is impressively small for a full frame macro lens, but still not that exciting or interesting to me, as it only has 1x magnification, which is too little on a full frame camera. I only review gear I personally find exciting or interesting.

[@leendertvisser1316]

​@@MicaelWidell Good point!

[@leendertvisser1316]

​@@MicaelWidellwhat about a review of the Google Pixel 7a with the apexel 100mm macrolens? I'm very curious about whats possible with that combination. It can be good for a simple observation photo?

[@SG-gk1jn]

Hello Micael. I have just watched 4 of your videos back to back and have learned a lot. I have a question: I use a Lumix G9 with M Zuiko 60mm lens but thus far haven't had much success with macro. Probably because I haven't a flash unit, which I realise I need to buy. However are there any disadvantages to using this lens with the G9 in your opinion. I've been wondering if I should have bought a Panasonic Leica lens. Thank you in advance if you have time to respond. Sue

[@MicaelWidell]

Hi, no I don't see any problems with using the Olympus 60mm. It is one of the very best macro lenses available for Micro Four Thirds. I think you should stick with it.

[@SG-gk1jn]

@@MicaelWidell Thank you very much. I was worrying that I'd made a poor choice but I will persevere and see how I get on. Thanks again x

[@MotoRich900]

My understanding is that the 60mm 1:1 macro on the M43 system is equivalent to a 2X macro on full frame.

[@MicaelWidell]

Yes since the MFT sensor is half the width and height of full frame, everything will appear twice as large

[@irillRep]

Привет, у меня Nikon D5200, HELLIOS-44-2 2/58 с макрокольцами, макромех ПЗФ и вспышка YongNuo 685!!! Как вы думаете с таким набором можно заняться макро?

[@MicaelWidell]

Sure. If you have enough macro rings it should work!

[@rockhardo76]

Hi Mr. Widell. Would you recommend tamron SP 90mm f2.8?

[@MicaelWidell]

It is a good macro lens, and I have owned it earlier. But I would not buy it today, because of the low magnification of 1x. I would rather buy a Laowa lens or the Olympus 60mm or 90mm, depending on what system you use.

[@SoyJuandaSilva]

HI. I wondering, I need to have a camera with focus bracketing function to take good macro photos? I have a Canon 77D, it does not have focus bracketing.

[@MicaelWidell]

No you absolutely don't need that feature. You can still take amazing photos without it. But if you like doing focus stacks it is very helpful.

[@d.k.1394]

Great video

[@d.k.1394]

Great video.....not many people have $$$ now

[@balikahomes]

Is there an alternative model to this that is Canon?

[@MicaelWidell]

Not that can do the same thing as well, no

[@Jbobonline]

I’m trying to create a macro kit with my Sony zv e10 and laowa 60

[@paulinemorris5186]

Recently read an article about the raynox 250 causing damage to the 60mm macro lens if used in the sun. Have you had any experience of this? I don't want to purchase the raynox if this is the case. Any advise please.

[@MicaelWidell]

A strong magnifying glass like the DCR 250 can damage anything if left out in the sun at the wrong angle. As long as you don’t leave it out in the sun, at least not without a lens cap, you’ll be fine.

[@paulinemorris5186]

Thank you for your reply, I feel happier now. Can't afford to buy a new macro lens.😊

[@vitmahong]

olympus om-d em-1 (used good condition) in Japan right now is only around 415$

[@cameronstewart9111]

Sticking with OM as well - there is the TG line which has had focus bkt and stacking since the TG4 at least. Much more budget friendly, but lacks the adaptability of different lenses! I started on my journey with a TG5, and up until I got my OM1 last year it was what I had used for all my macro work.

[@johnstathopoulosfilm]

why it is so difficult to find in Europe 46mm - 43mm step down ring????

[@MicaelWidell]

Look on eBay or Amazon, should be easy to find. I found it in a local store.

[@steveking6204]

Most of the Canon R cameras focus bracket.

[@MicaelWidell]

Not with a flash, which make them useless for insect focus bracketing

[@steveking6204]

@@MicaelWidell got it. Thanks

[@Xirpzy]

Now I want to try it on my R6 without flash.

[@Wendy-cf5tv]

@@MicaelWidellDoes the Nikon z system bracketing work with flash?

[@denisewilliams9453]

Nice recommendation! I can vouch for the e-m5 mark iii. It has been my go-to macro camera for a year now. There's a KZbinr XX7Trey who uses this same setup (em5miii, 60mm lens, Godox flash) and his insect photos are freakin phenomenal. See for example his robber fly photo in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6GcmJ1tZZyJb8ksi=pfuvYFFvD7Z3eqfE . On a less positive note, I don't recommend the e-m10 - a camera I used for a year before I got my e-m5 - because it uses contrast detect autofocus which is abysmal for moving subjects.

[@newtuber4freedom43]

Been watching Trey for a while - very nice / uk wildlife is also amazing / huge setup tho

[@alphaandomega2709]

What about the Sony a7RV 60mp of greatness? :)

[@MicaelWidell]

Well hard to get that under 1000 as was the topic of this video, and while that camera is probably great it is not as capable in terms of focus stacking with a flash

[@d.k.1394]

Oh but I don't like to eat Pringle's 😂

[@cameraprepper7938]

There are lots of other options of Cameras and macro Lenses for all us that never use flash nor focus bracketing/stacking.

[@SeryiWolf]

u can change e-m1-2 to panasonic G9)))- i am using G9))) but i never use focus stacking - kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6OZhop6m9Rko6Msi=VUYP923NpPKpzWKm

[@MicaelWidell]

If you don’t use focus stacking, you could use pretty much any camera

[@SeryiWolf]

@@MicaelWidell but im using AF to shoot macro.