Olympus Focus Stacking - One Click Get Everything In Focus

[@robinwong]

Before anyone asks "why is there no Focus Stacking in my camera?" or "why is the focus stacking icon greyed out?", please see the full compatibility list here 8:20 If your camera or lens is not in that list, you cannot use Focus Stacking. And no it does not work with Panasonic lenses on Olympus bodies.

[@systemanaturae105]

Robin Wong Hi Robin - Yes agreed. But understand you can do focus bracketing with Panasonic lenses since a number of shots are actually taken using Panasonic lenses

[@sealand000]

Hi Robin, thank you for this excellent video. I'm using E-M5 II with 12-40 mm PRO, but Set number of shots is grayed out. Set focus differential and Charge time are both available. The same result with 7-14mm PRO. I tried restarting the camera, but to no avail. However, when using an incompatible lens (75mm 1.8), all options are available, though I cannot turn Focus Stacking on. Firmware version is 4.0, and the camera is in AF mode. Any idea why?

[@MrYogoy]

Same with em5 mkii and 60mm macro... Maybe this is a newer feature since the Olympus link shows this option also greyed out. learnandsupport.getolympus.com/learn-center/photography-tips/macro/focus-stacking-bracketing-with-om-d#:~:text=The%20focus%20stacking%20feature%20will,jpeg%20file%20at%20full%20resolution.

[@benmeg]

If you have the E-M5 II, E-M1, or E-M1 II, you can enable focus stacking for other AF lenses not in that list using modified firmware: www.mu-43.com/threads/modified-firmware-looking-for-users.99804/ - I can confirm this works on an E-M5 II with the following lenses: 45mm 1.8, 75mm 1.8, 40-150mm 4-5.6.

[@MartinGollery]

@@sealand000 I see this with my 12-100 as well- looks like it is taking 8 images

[@billpanuska5775]

Thanks for the clear explanation. Your enthusiasm makes it fun. Olympus has made me love my camera more than any other in all my 55+ years of making pictures.

[@pancake4425]

Hey Robin. I recently purchased the 12-40mm f2.8, put it on my Pen F and discovered that i could not use photo stacking, altough both camera and lens are on your list. No problem with my EM1 mark ll. Following you for years, your "let's do this" always make me smile. Greetings from Belgium😊

[@josegaut]

You are amazing. Not only are your videos really pleasing to look at, but your explanations are crystal clear and allow me to better understand many of my camera's functions. A big thank you 👍🏼

[@genius1a]

You missed to mention Olympus Tough TG5 and TG6 - They both have In camera Focus stacking and I absolutely love it! They can do normal distance Focus stacking as well as for extreme close up (macro) images right out of the box. And they actually do have In Camera Image stabilization, very much needed to stay in low ISO for still images in low light situations. The TG5 and TG6 are the last two iterations of the Olympus underwater ruggedized cameras with a 5,6 crop factor sensor, in the TG6 the focus stacking can be adjustet from 3 to 10 images. They have the Truepic VIII image processor of the OM-D E-M1X inside! I'm not joking, they are way more serious useable cameras than the outside looks seem to indicate.

[@keithhider2170]

Great instructional video Robin. A couple of points - 1 - If your subject (or you) moves during the shooting process then your image may be spoiled. Therefore may not work well when photographing subjects like active insects or if the weather is windy. 2. The wider the depth setting, the longer the shooting process takes, which can exacerbate the issue in point 1.

[@davebellamy4867]

I noticed on the EM5iii in focus bracketing (not stacking) that if you choose focus differential of 10 and go from quite close on an image that also has stuff much further away and choose a large number of frames, say 30 (not 999🤣), then the camera will take only around 7 images. It gets to infinity way before the end of the run and then stops. If you choose small focus differentials, it will take more images.

[@kungula]

Hi Robin, I use the focus stacking all the time with my E-M1 mark II and mark III with the 60/ 2.8 macro. I made a comparison with focus bracketing and I have to say that the final result is pretty much the same, although the focus stacking crops a bit more. Many thanks for the video.

[@royinman2712]

Thanks Robin for the excellent tutorial on focus bracketing/stacking :) I shoot a lot of model train layouts and the in-camera focus stacking feature of Olympus makes things SO much easier!

[@agostinog]

Focus stacking with my E-M1mk2 and 60mm saved my lockdown days!!! Lucky me that I bought them just two weeks before the lockdown here in Italy!! I just want to point out that sometimes a depth level of 10, or even less, it's no good because you can have some parts of the final image out of focus between a step and onther. Ciao Ah one more thing, you can also use Olimpus Viewer to recreate the focus stacking final image, and it will not be cropped.

[@newjersey1029]

I just received my 60mm Marco Lens, and am loving your tutorial on stacking ....Thanks for this,it really helps ❤☺😀🙂

[@davebellamy4867]

E-M1 12-40 f/2.8 Pro. YES!😊🤣😂😅👍 I got an old EM1 but the viewfinder was damaged. I didn't go secondhand but went for a discounted EM1 Mk iii new.

[@jackmatthews9390]

Reason #43 I love Olympus Cameras! Thank you Robin!

[@RTFM70]

Loving focus stacking. I’ve been experimenting this week with the 30mm macro. Great fun 😀 Thanks for the very clear instructions Robin 👍

[@robinwong]

Thanks, and yes it works very well with the 30mm macro lens, and can greatly improve the results when shooting at super close up range.

[@Rangewriter]

Thank you so much, Robin! I could not get Focus Stacking to work on my Olympus EM-1X and it was driving me crazy 'cause I could not figure out why. Now, I know that I was using a lens which was NOT compatible for its use. Please keep up the good work and stay safe...

[@northdevonwildlifewithandy788]

Always love your videos Robin. Clear and concise. Keep up the good work!

[@Impostertot]

Thanks Robin. Would really like to see a followup on this with Focus Stacking using flashes (both Olympus brand and non-Olympus brand). Thanks.

[@stephanedubarry8624]

The description of the limitations is very important. Thanks

[@BatuHijau]

This is the best explanation of in campera focus stacking. Thanks for an excellent tutorial.

[@davebellamy4867]

3:17 It's deep in the menu. In a subfolder in a folder, at the bottom of a list, in a submenu inside another submenu. Then I would suggest saving it to the custom setting on the mode dial!🤣

[@stephenstevenson1900]

Great video Robin! You are the first person I know of to explain the focus differential feature. Well done my friend.

[@robinwong]

No worries, glad I have done so.

[@lLpiero]

This man is a legends!

[@Brianuyahoo]

Nice. That was clear. I see lots of options for different stacking methods here. ISO, aperture, etc. Of course, I have Panasonic the gear, so ..... Micro Four Thirds Rules!

[@GlennMartinez]

Job well done...I was shocked to here 1/20 flash sync on my E5MkIi ...I have to shoot in a dark room! I am buying coffee again! Loved the watch example

[@AaronSmith-sx4ez]

For "Set Number of Shots" you recommend 15...which I agree with if you're in a controlled environment. However I find 3 handy when I shooting macro on windy days or with squirrelly subjects that like to move. The lower shot count will reduce composite errors and ghosting that can occur with movement. The other point I would like to make is that using a flash is often impractical with focus stacking...so often photographers need to choose between the two...and for macro having the flash can often be the better option.

[@TasView]

Aaron Smith you can use an LED light instead of a flash to add illumination :) This has the advantage of seeing the effect while your framing the shot. I like your first tip too.

[@raredreamfootage]

INSANE TECHNOLOGY!

[@RichardBO9]

Thanks Robin. I appreciate you explaining the focus differential works.

[@robinwong]

No worries, I do what I can.

[@micha5645]

I often use both functions, focus stacking and bracketing, when I‘m out in the nature taking macro shots with the E-M 1.1 and the 60 mm macro lens. I‘m happy Olympus has implemented these functions in the camera body.

[@hendrikustoby6502]

do you use tripod or just handheld when taking macro shots with focus stacking?

[@micha5645]

@@hendrikustoby6502 ... Taking outdoor macro shots (focus stacking) with a smaller magnification I often use the handheld method. Otherwise I use a bean bag. It depends on the object. For focus bracketing I recommend to use a tripod, but mostly I use a tripod for indoor macro shots.

[@judithwinkler1553]

Great! I didn't understand what the focus stacking menus were trying to do. But, I'm going to go try it tomorrow--probably photographing flowers. Thanks.

[@robinwong]

No worries, take it a step at a time, flower is the perfect subject to test this on!

[@thomashall9682]

Great video once again Robin. Clear and concise. Thank you for all the work you put into your incredibly useful videos. I would like to ask you to do a video on focus stacking landscape photos.

[@davebellamy4867]

I love the watch images Robin. It made me want to get a camera with this feature.

[@mitchelllorens]

How exciting! I wonder how many people (Non photographer types) take for granted the finished product you demonstrated here. That’s amazing that this level of (DOF) can be created inside an Olympus camera ready for printing straight away. This is a good demo using the watch face. Do you know of Ming Thein’s work? He does a lot of watch faces, I think. Thank you, Robin!

[@robinwong]

If you go to Ming Thein's blog, you will find me contributing there. Of course, that was a while back (my last article was late 2019), I have decided to focus on my KZbin growth here.

[@HughesyTech]

Awww sheet! Robin Wong in with the slick video transitions! Next level stuff mate that'll take your channel to the next level 💪

[@robinwong]

Hah, thanks! Learning and improving bit by bit

[@lacijeszi309]

Hi Robin! Plus one of the compatible lenses for stacking the 12-45 PRO.

[@Lenlitest]

Robin, once again, great video. Thanks very much for your videos, advises and tips about how to use our Olympus cameras. But first of all, thanks very much for your sympathy and nice way of communicating your knowledge. It would be great to share a chat and a real coffe with you. If you ever come to Spain... Meanwhile, I have sent you some "virtual coffes" ;).

[@systemanaturae105]

Hi Robin. I have been doing focus stacking hand held !! Not always so easy and due to movement can result in a “ghosting” at edges of image. I now use a carbon fibre walking stick with camera attachment on the top to gain stability. Still some sideways movement but considerably better. The walking stick is very very light to carry and has 3 adjustable sections giving an amazing variation of low to high position. Basically acts as a monopod. Due to recent cancellation of 3 overseas nature and wildlife trips because of the virus I have just spent the money on 2 Olympus pro lenses. I blame you entirely for this decision ha ha !!!!!! 😊😊

[@robinwong]

Oh dear, I am completely innocent I swear! Glad to know that you found a good workaround for the movement on subject when focus stacking. I dont use focus stacking for my insect macro photography.

[@delynge]

Hello Robin nice video again, but on my OMD M5 III with 30 mm macro I cant set the number of shots, the icon is greyed out ?

[@Unique70]

Hi master Robin ( yeah , you are one of the best ), my Pen F don’t make focus Braketing, just take the shots , but don’t assambling, my OMD 1 mark 2 work perfectly , with same lens , last firmware .. but don’t show busy screen

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Great Video Robin. I just had a job at my day job where we had to photograph our States constitution. Focus stacking came in very handy as they wanted an angled shot of it and the image was going to be printed on a wall from floor to ceiling. My only wish is that I could combine High Rez shot mode with focus stacking. Maybe in the next camera ;)

[@geoffclinton8575]

Hi Robin Another very clear explanation. One point on the OM-d 5 Mk 3 you cannot vary the number of shots with 8 frames being taken. Geoff clinton

[@walsc]

But you can take much more shots only using focus bracketing and do the stacking with software on your computer.

[@Rafaga777]

Thanks a lot for your focus stacking tutorial. I don't use it frequently but once in a while I decide to use this feature and I have to admit that the results are very impressive.

[@CatalinPomeanu]

Thank you Robin for this tutorial. Detailed as usual. Pen F is on your list but unfortunately does not have Focus Stacking function implemented. Only Focus Bracketing is available. Just tried this using a Olympus 60mm f/2.8 macro lens and having the latest firmware installed.

[@dongee6351]

An obvious point is that the subject must be static and it is handy to use a remote to avoid camera shake...... Another good video Mr W.

[@blaed011]

Wow cool feature, you demonstrated it so well! And nice watch by the way.

[@walsc]

I could not find this function in the menu, now I have it, thank you!

[@andreachierici5745]

Very clear explanation. Thanks Robin

[@robinwong]

No worries, I do my best

[@garys639]

Another good one ,thanks Robin.

[@robinwong]

Thanks Gary.

[@URSENIORUTUBER55]

Thank you Robin....Excellent Tutorial. As always...

[@robinwong]

No worries, glad I could share

[@Minimalist5880]

It's a Very useful video !

[@robinwong]

Thanks

[@sallyweatherley3991]

I’d love a setting where the jpeg end result is saved but the 15 (or 30 if saving raw and jpeg) get deleted. I find my card fills up pretty quickly, and don’t generally want the components if the jpeg is a keeper. Does that option exist? M1x.

[@peternguyen5385]

Thank you showing us. So clearly explain. Love ❤️ the video

[@lilchris26]

Thanks for this Robin, just bought myself a lens that is compatable with this technique.

[@lilchris26]

I have had a reply from Olympus. A very helpful lady advised me it is fixed at 8 shots, also the reason I could not get into the number 2 menu is it’s not available when the camera is I iauto mode. So I intend giving it a try tonight.

[@Gibolingos]

Zuiko PRO 12-45mm f:4.0 works too ;)

[@pauls8675]

Good explanation. Not sure if mentioned in a comment but it's also important for the subject to be stationary, for instance a macro of an insect or flower, the bug can't move or the flower can't move in a breeze. The camera will not be able to stack the images.

[@williamgrisenthwaite6557]

Another great video by Robin. I hadn't realised that there were only certain lenses where it works, fortunately I have the 60mm macro with my Pen F, so definitely will be using this technique. (to my shame I have had my Pen F for 4 years!). Thanks again Robin.

[@GrandmasterBBC]

Thanks for informative video. I've been trying to figure out how to make this work on my EM5 MK III. I did not realize that I needed a dedicated Olympus macro or any of those Pro lenses to make this feature work. I can get the camera to take the bracketed images with the kit lens, but it just won't combine them. That's a real shame, since I have eight different Olympus lenses but none of them are on that list. I think it's a real shame that Olympus blocked out all but the most expensive lenses. Obviously the camera is capable of combining the photos, but apparently Olympus wants customers to pay an extra $1,000 for the privilege of using this function on their nice new camera. :-(

[@stevehallam0850]

Very useful and timely! Thanks Robin.

[@systemanaturae105]

Hi Robin. I have sorted out the issue with the greyed out number of shots when focus stacking was activated. Basically my camera, although only bought relatively recently, needed firmware updating. All ok now so I will check out the focus stacking with the increased number of shots. Although I fundamentally use focus stacking with macro shots I am going to try with my new 40 - 150mm lens. Thanks for your video clip 😊

[@extremelydave]

Who needs Batman? WE HAVE ROBIN!!!! OK Robin, this was an excellent video with information that will help me a lot when I get my 60mm macro this week. NOW the question is, when will you explain focus bracketing? Hope you are doing well there in Coronaland..... it's dangerous over there!!!!!

[@robinwong]

I don't use focus bracketing or stacking much. You must also be aware that I have a different insect macro shooting technique. Don't think I will do a focus bracketing any time soon.

[@duncanpeet4827]

I have used this facility quite a lot and have had a lot of fun with it. You did not mention that it can give an incredible depth of focus with e.g. the 12-100 F4 Pro lens. Shooting at F8 with the setting of wide gives a depth of focus from about 150mm from the lens to near infinity. For example a small flower in its landscape. I have had a slight problem in shooting straight down on a conical flower using the 60mm Macro. It was very close work at 1:1. Here there was a 'ghost echo' in the final image as it incorporated the out of focus bits in each taken image in the final image. Were I an expert in Photoshop I could probably remove it. Similar ghosting appears when photographing grass stems at close range with a very light breeze. At dusk for example.

[@fouzoull007]

very well explained , good job Robin!!

[@MarcosMolina5]

Many thanks Robin for such a clear, practical explanation!

[@Sunshineleroy]

Described very well. Excellent, thank you.

[@MikeC2K10]

I got this to work on my E-M5 Mk II with firmware 4.0 but with one other limitation: the number of shots is fixed to 8. The option to change that is greyed out. Focus difference can be set.

[@robinwong]

E-M5 Mark II was the first to implement focus stacking, so I'm not surprised if it has some limitations, due to old processor.

[@MikeC2K10]

@@robinwong Time for me to get an upgrade! It only took me 7 years to reach the limits of this camera. :)

[@berniestang2616]

Is the 90 mm macro compatible for focus stacking ? Thx ! Awesome video !

[@mcvideoeditingandphotograp4560]

Thank you so much for this video 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@FrancoisMcinnes]

great video. I usually carry my 12-50mm for hiking, as it is cheap, wide enough, weatherproof and also has a 43mm macro mode for details such as mushrooms or snow flakes. unfortunately, it doesnt support in camera stacking. shit...

Very clear and relevant explanations Robin. Too bad my E-M10 Mk II can't do focus stacking, but I still can do in postprocessins with Rawtherapee.

[@traviswatson6657]

I believe they've updated that with firmware, no?

[@gekkehenkie297]

Yes Reinhart Sian. No problem

[@ScottPaton]

Thanks for this. I did something and manual focusing is acting weird. But I’ll try doing this and see how it works. Happily, my camera is on your compatible list.

[@TasView]

Scott Paton If your using the 60mm macro, check the round switch on the side of the lens is in the right position (for distance) for what your shooting. Its caught me out before.

[@deenugent473]

Great info Robin, thank you!

[@alanplatt888]

I'm subscribed and frequently enjoy your videos, thanks. Coffee on it's way ;-)

[@catherinejoanpiazza420]

This is so helpful! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I always enjoy your video's. A donation is on the way!

[@falkgottschalk]

Thanks for a lot of rather useful OM-D tips

[@meredithpottery]

Thank you, Robin!

[@glenn-perthwesternaustrali5916]

I love this concept with being able to have super sharp detail especially with the likes of the working parts of the watch. Unfortunatly I don't have a compatible camera body even though I have one of the lenses that are listed

[@robinwong]

No worries Glenn, I am sure Olympus will expand the compatibility of their focus stacking features in the future.

[@andresalgadomarques]

Great video! I'm so eager to try this! I'm waiting for my E-M5 III and macro lens to arrive and to have some fun on my free time, looking for everyday things to shoot up close :) Thanks for the tips and explanation 👍👍

[@christinecoughlan4699]

Thank you very much Robin.

[@radekbartek6819]

damn.. i was happy till to 8:30 .. then i saw compatible lenses... :( hopefully Oly will change it and enlarge portfolio at least for some most sold lenses (12 mm, 17 mm, 24 mm... etc...)

[@macmannm]

Thanks!

[@robinwong]

Thanks so much for the support

[@AB-vb2mm]

Thanks for the good explanation.

[@donaldgould1293]

Thanks Robin, well explained, however , I am using an EM 1 mk 3 and when I go into the bracketing Focus Stacking is greyed out and not an option.

[@Ed-bj5eq]

Thanks for your tutorial, awesome as usual, so bad the EM10 v1 doesn't have that, hope I can upgrade to a EM5 mark 3 soon. An additional problem introduced by higher f values is that it will need artificial lighting or bumping up the ISO to compensate for the smaller aperture.

[@robinwong]

E-M5 Mark III is a huge step up from E-M10

[@tyik]

Thank you for sharing another useful feature. Could you do another talk on OI Tracking? Sometimes it didn't track or it could not find compatible images. Very confusing. Thanks.

[@deborahburd5876]

Thank you once again every detail is explained!

[@yveshetu8026]

Now I understand! Thank you again.

[@robinwong]

Glad I can help.

[@bradw7084]

Thanks Robin, I'd been wondering about focus stacking. I had no idea about the lens restrictions. I assume this requires a tripod for such fine adjustments.

[@robinwong]

Thanks. If your shutter speed is fast enough (more than 1/100 sec) you should be able to get away with hand-holding unless you do extreme close up (full macro magnification), then it is a lot more challenging.

[@iacchos-fr]

Robin Wong thx for this useful video Nevertheless you said previously you don’t use this feature for your insect macro photography... Can you explain why ? This feature doesn’t help ? Thx

[@robinwong]

@@iacchos-fr insects move. They don't listen to me when I asked them to stand still. Also, leaves they stand on move. I have yet to master the ability to control air movement. These are not minor movements, and in order for focus stacking/bracketing to work, the subject has to be very still.

[@RTFM70]

It works just fine hand held. It gives you a lot more freedom with insects, spiders etc.

[@mealstolearn]

AWESOME, Thanks Robin,now I knew it.

[@berniestang2616]

Thank u 😊 Excellent videos .

[@korporalV]

It`s a very nice feature, but I feel Photoshops focus-stacking is better. The Incamera focus stacking of the Olympus gives a sort of halo-effect where parts of the unsharp pictures "shine through" to the sharp parts. You see this in this video at 7:40, read the letters of the clock. Still love the feature though.

[@guntherdrobisch4735]

Hi Robin, is focus stacking possible by hand or have I use a tripod?

[@newjersey1029]

☕Love your tutorial

[@Lehmannbeat]

Great video as always, but you didn't mention whether this can be done handheld, as I thought you needed the stability of a tripod or, as in your example, a surface to put the camera on. Could you elaborate on that briefly, thanks!

[@dsdave07]

Nice work, Robin; I appreciate your videos. I have to wonder, though - do you NEED that cup of coffee?

[@guntherdrobisch4735]

Hi Robin, is the new 12-45 F4 Pro also good for focus stacking?

[@feiwan_calligraphy]

How to choose the focus point when using focus stacking? Always the nearest point?

[@gubbinz25]

Timely video Robin! Any ideas on focus differential for a moon shot? Thanks and enjoy the coffee!

[@cmartin_ok]

@Rob Harland: macro shot of the moon?? It's tens of thousands of miles away. You need to manual focus and ideally use a tripod with any image stabilisation turned off. Depth of field at that distance should be sufficient to keep everything sharp even at f/2.8, but you can try experimenting with different aperture settings. Where I live, biggest problem is light pollution, then getting a clear night with the moon in a good position in the sky

[@martinoffenhauer9667]

Thanks for the great explanation. I've been trying to figure this out on my EM5 MkII for a while. It will help a lot in lockdown here for backyard macro. Tried to buy you a coffee but don't want the account that PayPal requires to be set up in the credit card payment method. Any other way ? Don't use PayPal. Stay safe.

[@robinwong]

Thanks Martin for the kind words, and the willingness to buy me a coffee. Unfortunately the only safe and legal way to transfer money internationally is through PayPal, that is the solution that I am aware of. I am not running this channel as a business so I cannot set it up to accept credit card payments directly.

[@davebellamy4867]

Just for info, the EM5iii has only 8 shots not 15 in focus stacking by the way. Peter Forsgard says he's never used more than 9 or 10 images anyway.

[@faab318]

Thank you so much for the explanation :D