How to Set Up the OM1 Mark 2 for Stunning Macro Photography

[@StewartWoodArt]

The first 500 people to use my link skl.sh/stewartwood11241 will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare premium!

[@eeviewonders]

I think this is one of the most important videos you've done. People often ask me what camera/lens to get and I tell them all the same thing, it doesn't matter what camera you use but you have to feel comfortable holding it then set all the shortcuts and fn buttons the way you want, and then learn how to adjust everything blindfolded and without even thinking about it 👍

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you.

[@marklaurendet1861]

Thats interesting about the clutch to toggle between single shot and bracketing, nice tip

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you.

[@baileysbugblog6478]

Hi Stewart, you're the reason i adopted the Olympus system over my Canon M6 MK. I have an OM1 and 90mm, after seeing your work with the EM1 series. Absolutely fantastic and great value as the EM1 series are, the OM1 faster shutter-speed in stacking is the game-changer. This to me, is the "end game" setup for macro, and limited only by my own experience. Coupled with my Godox v350o, and my AK diffuser, i feel this will last me for near a decade or more in all honesty...Only being an issue when a component actually breaks. Next season i am branching out into more video, and more point of view posts when out in the field. I look forward to seeing more of your excellent content while you use this camera system.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you.

[@ChenjunShen]

Thanks Stewart, it's very useful for my journey of macro photography.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mrwates]

Excellent :)

[@StewartWoodArt]

Many thanks!

[@Leo-oj8nt]

Thank you. Your video helped me a lot, but for a non-native speaking person, it was a little bit fast. xD Is there a chance you are making a video explaining your C4 settings for wildlife photography? And what settings are you recommending when taking idk. maybe some Holiday or trip photos? ❤

[@StewartWoodArt]

I will try!

[@Jarek.syn.Wlodka]

Hi Stewart, don't you think that focus stacking and focus bracketing are for lazy people and that it kills macro photography? Nowadays taking a picture doesn't require any effort or knowledge. just find a ladybug and the camera will do the rest. people don't know what to do with a camera.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you for sharing your perspective! I understand where you’re coming from, but I think it’s important to consider that tools like focus stacking and bracketing are just that-tools. They don’t replace skill, creativity, or effort; they enhance them. In macro photography, where depth of field can be razor-thin, these techniques allow photographers to create images that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. However, they still require knowledge of composition, lighting, and subject behavior, as well as post-processing skills to achieve a great result. It’s not just about letting the camera do the work-it’s about using technology to push the boundaries of what we can capture. While some may prefer to stick to traditional methods, I see focus stacking as just another creative choice, like deciding between black-and-white or color, or using a prime lens instead of a zoom. At the end of the day, it’s the photographer’s vision that breathes life into a photo, not just the tools they use.

[@baileysbugblog6478]

I respectfully don't agree either. Especially as when shooting RAw, it takes some post-processing to present the image we want to show, over what the sensor has picked up. Many of us, we worked with manual modes and cameras first. To the point that, as Stewart says here, the tools we now work with enhance our existing, practiced skillset, instead of replacing them. There was so much to learn, with my OM1 for example. That i feel i am learning and growing more as a photographer, despite having the "automated" tools the camera includes. Another aspect, i actually find i focus on fieldcraft more, and in part, take the technology out of the equation. I now focus more on recognising specific habitats, to find specific insects for example...A lot of this is because i feel, with modern setups and techniques, i am able to capture a more accurate representation (via stacking) and present what i saw. As opposed to working within the confines of refraction and other workarounds.

[@vitispinot]

I disagree, without focus stacking how can you get similar DOF. It is a tool. Without good composition it is useless.

[@mikef.9931]

I think someone has to tell our fellow photographer that at 1x magnification or higher, you cannot just get a totally in-focus picture of the whole insect even at f13. Before focus stacking & bracketing was possible in-camera, we used to manually pick different focus points by using the focus points of the camera, using a macro focusing rail or burst mode then moving your camera forward. Then merge all of those pictures in a software. Automatic focus bracketing/stacking will let you hold your camera in one position & it will do all those things I mentioned above. Fun fact, the OM-1 can do 15-frame stack in-camera then give you the combined result in a jpeg in the camera! It’s one of the very few cameras than can do it. I’m in my mid-40s & usually it’s people older than me that say things like this. Why are people so resistant to tools that make us more efficient? In a macro photography perspective, what you said is like saying “humans have discovered metal & now make knives but you still prefer to cut your meat with your teeth”.

[@ritchiea2005]

How can a process that takes more time and knowledge to perform be making people lazy ? To stack an image properly in post production is a time consuming process. You need the knowledge to set the camera up to bracket the images which in itself requires you to understand your camera settings then the knowhow of what to do with the however many bracketed images in post. I can half see your point of view in using the in camera stacking function that spits out a stacked j peg but even then there's more work involved than taking a single image. It certainly doesn't kill macro photography just gives us another option and allows people to get images that just are not possible in a single shot.