Greater depth of field. That's what I want for my macro pictures.
So, focus bracketing with a close-up filter attached was one of the first thing that I tried when I first got my Olympus Pen EPL-9 camera and Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40 - 150mm R zoom lens. Tried a few takes and I was disappointed. The results that I got then was unimpressive. I was confused and I wrongly assumed then that the close-up filter combination with the zoom lens doesn't work. How wrong was I. It does works, albeit with some limitations.
The focal length must be between 40mm and 80mm, and ideally, the subject should be at least 25mm across in size. Beyond the 80mm focal length or if the subject is too small (like a lady bug that is 5mm across), the pictures will be unimpressive.
I haven't tried but with a Raynox DCR-250, the focal length range should be less because of its higher magnification capabilities. Maybe between 40mm to 70mm. Again, I haven't tried.
I stumbled upon this find accidentally earlier this month. Not sure why but when I saw this colpacampsomeris indica wasp (thanks to bob296 at iNaturalist for identification) resting on a leave in the cool 8 A.M. morning air, I turned the dial on the camera to AP mode, selected Focus Bracketing, and I clicked away. And the outcome (after much editing because it was shot handheld) was this:
Sorry for the Dreamstime watermark. The picture was too good to not submit it as a stock photo. For a closer look of this picture at Dreamstime, click here. And oh yeah, I wasn't stung by this wasp.
Stacking
To stack my bracketed pictures, I use the open source software ChimpStackr. Some post-process editing with Gimp on the stacked output from ChimpStackr is required since I shot the pictures handheld. But overall, ChimpStack was usable even on 2011 Pentium Dual Core processor with 2GB RAM.
Some things to note when focus bracketing with the Olympus Pen EPL-9 with a close-up filter attached:
- Flash (either built-in or external) will not fire.
- Aperture, shutter speed and ISO are camera controlled.
- No Self-timer.
- Depending on the focal length, not everything is in sharp focus from front to back. Of the eight focus bracket pictures, do expect some duds. Do expect some blind spots too - I got some.
- Holding the camera steady is important. Do expect to spend time post-processing your stacked output image. If possible, use a tripod/monopod.
Overall, I am quite happy with the results. Picture looks quite good too considering that no flash was fired. Love the colours rendered. Love the blur in the background too in the stacked output.
Still early days yet for me as far as focus bracketing with the EPL-9 is concern. For sure, I will be taking more when the opportunity arise.
Buy Raynox Or Nisi macro filters from Amazon.com
(Note: An Amazon.com affiliate link)
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