During the winter, I have been experimenting with some of the features of my Olympus OM-D E-M1 camera. The 'version 4' firmware added the capability to automatically 'stack' images in the camera, by taking a series of photos at a range of focus settings, in front of and behind the initial focus point. The set-up I use for macro photography is shown below:
![MacroSet-up.jpg (76.95 KiB) Viewed 938 times Macro Set-up, using Olympus E-M1 with 60mm macro lens and Meike LED ring-light](./files/thumb_11310_5ace566fd378cbcc0a9b5556c7547511)
- Macro Set-up, using Olympus E-M1 with 60mm macro lens and Meike LED ring-light
So far, I have only used this set-up for photographing flowers but the potential for other subjects is obvious. For these photos, I used an aperture of f/5.6, where the 60mm macro lens provides excellent sharpness, and set a focus 'step size' of '3', to cover the full depth of the subject, between the tips of the nearest and furthest petals. Apparently, the 'step size' is linked, by the Olympus firmware, to the depth of field, calculated for the chosen lens and aperture setting. My experiments have shown that the '3' setting covers a useful range of distance, without causing noticeable loss of sharpness between the individual steps, when the images are blended in the camera.
![Gethyum_atropurpureum-.jpg (162.23 KiB) Viewed 938 times Gethyum atropurpureum - 23rd February 2016<br />Olympus E-M1 with 60mm macro lens - 1/13s@f/5.6 ISO1000 (8 images 'stacked'](./files/thumb_11310_5a79afbaf7f7290a09fae02e0459f92f)
- Gethyum atropurpureum - 23rd February 2016
Olympus E-M1 with 60mm macro lens - 1/13s@f/5.6 ISO1000 (8 images 'stacked'
The detail can only be seen when examining the photo at full size. A small section of the original is shown below:
![Gethyum_Close-up.jpg (165.17 KiB) Viewed 936 times G.atropurpureum (detail) - 23rd February 2016<br />Olympus E-M1 with 60mm macro lens - 1/13s@f/5.6 ISO1000 (8 images 'stacked'](./files/thumb_11310_4e7bf1f2182e1f3294be8abee8a2da1a)
- G.atropurpureum (detail) - 23rd February 2016
Olympus E-M1 with 60mm macro lens - 1/13s@f/5.6 ISO1000 (8 images 'stacked'
The second feature of the camera that I've been exploring is the 'wifi' connection, which allows remote control from a smartphone. This capability is now being added to several of the latest generation of cameras from the main manufacturers, so will soon be widely available.
So far, I have used the wifi connection to photograph birds in the garden. We have a pair of Blue-tits, which are currently exploring a hole in a Tetrapanax shrub, possibly with a view to nesting. I set the camera on a tripod at a reasonable distance from the hole, with a tele lens to get a good view. Another feature of the E-M1 is the option to use a totally-silent electronic shutter, which means no disturbance to the birds when the shutter fires.
I then retreat indoors and use the Olympus app on my smartphone to display the live-view image, 'seen' by the camera. Various camera controls are also available from the phone's touch screen. so I can adjust the focus point, exposure, etc, to optimise the results. It's then just a case of sitting back in an armchair and touching the shutter release on the phone, whenever interesting action occurs!
![Blue-tit2016].jpg (190.74 KiB) Viewed 938 times Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) - 28th February 2016<br />Olympus E-M1 with 40-150mm lens - 1/500s@f/7.1 ISO640](./files/thumb_11310_af357845b35701521059a41329920a3d)
- Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) - 28th February 2016
Olympus E-M1 with 40-150mm lens - 1/500s@f/7.1 ISO640
I am now thinking ahead to the new season, considering what use I can make of these new picture taking capabilities in my armoury!
Mike