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thanks for the honest review, subscribed! Did you find any other good macro options for phones?

Affinity Photo 2 works a dream. I've never heard of the first two you mention.

Thanks for the examples and comparison! I also use Affinity, and it can focus stack, although I find that it sometimes creates artifacts that are difficult to retouch away... a bit like what you showed about the Ps-example early into your video. I experienced that with some landscapes having complex and dynamic elements (like trees/vegetation moving), though. I also use Capture One instead of ACR/Lr, and was pleasantly surprised that Helicon Focus also provides a Capture One plugin. On the other hand, Zerene provides a Linux version, which I consider a plus (on the downside, all the really capable photo editing software like Ps/Lr/C1/Affinity is Windows & Mac only, so the Linux version doesn't really help that much besides it being cool to exist, to date :))!

Great video. Keep making 'em! The live view is super helpful for newbs like myself.

i have all 3 programms. thats all right what you are saying, but the most times i use zerene stacker (my photos are all not aligned well because i stack freehand) ... i dont care about colors in zerene stacker because after the stack i use lightroom and photoshop to adjust colors etc. anyway. also the post editing is much easier and faster in zerene

AffinityPHOTO?? : (

What about Affinity?

I decided Helicon as it provides editing options for selectively choosing portions of the subject to get the best output. For misaligned shots, it’s easy to change the alignment parameters to get the correct alignment.

thanks for the info

Is a good flash for casual shooting, i won't use in in TTL mode, just manual mode and is good enough. You can't spec a $60 flash with 2 AAA batteries to be used for professional work or in your case macro photography. What doesn't work for you is no necessary bad for everybody else.

I'd like to see how you align in photoshop and send to helicon

That Mario bro music. lol

It works nice om my Nikon Z6 but it doesn´t fire with my Z9.

very helpful. another question…. what other subjects can be shot besides insects? Thanks

Hey! What do you do with your photos once you have taken them? Do you post them to social media, or do you keep them for yourself etc?

Nice flash setup

Use a modelling light when demonstrating through live view so we can see what is going on.

Good video, nice t-shirt as well! 😀

It's support high soeed or hss?

Thanks for the comparison!! It’s much appreciated!

In Helicon Focus change the Autoadjustments percentage to improve alignment. Edit > Preferences > Autoadjustment tab. Increase Adjust vertically and Adjust horizontally to obtain perfect alignment. I found that values over 20% for either does not help.

First of all, if you ever do focus stacking, you should be on a tripod second of all in Helicon method B, I would keep the adjustment at the lowest setting I do stacking with hundreds of pictures and work great

Hey I know I’ve been asking a lot of questions lately, but it’s because I really think you’re a great photographer! I wanna ask you if I could use this flash for macro photography (and if it would be worth getting). It’s the Canon Speedlite 430EX II. Thanks.

Hey, I heard that I can use an LED light instead of a flash.. Is that right?

Are you aware if the sony version of 320 work with a7c ? Its not listed in compatible devices?

Hey! What type of macro photography would you suggest taking, in the winter? When theres no snow, and it's just boring haha?

The computer hook up is cool. I would like to hear about your flash setup.

This flash doesn't appear to register aperture changes on my camera body. I have a nikon d5300. Maybe my settings are wrong? I'm thinking of returning the flash if problem can't be resolved. Please help!

Can l use it for my nikon z50

Brilliant macro camera

Hi, what lens do you use for macro photography. I purchased this flash. im waiting for the package to arrive

Great video.

The in-camera stacking can work well if you tweak it. I've found that if the number of shots is kept a bit lower, and the shutter speed is higher, and the depth a bit bigger, then it's definitely usable. Also it works best if you frame the shot with not-too-crazy intersections.

The photographer bundle is only 9.95, not 19.95

I liked being able to see what you see. Nice!

Does Helicon align and blend or just blend? Thank you!

Hi, keep up the good work. Great tips for one and all.

Oh, the OM-1 is the only camera on the market to have an ISO IPX waterproof certificate for resistance to water spray. This is an independent ISO international standard. All other camera manufacturers self certify their cameras as somewhat weatherproof. Not tested to any standard. I love my Nikon Z system but I also really love my OM--1 micro 4/3 system.

Without doubt the best macro camera setup out there. I have the OM-1 with the 90mm macro lens. My 1.4 teleconverter lives on the 90mm lens giving me a full frame magnification of 1:5.6. If I need more magnification I attach my Ranox taking that up to 1: 11. At that point my stacks are getting up to 300 shots. No problem for the OM-1, you set the stacks to 999 and watch on the monitor in real time as the stacks move through the focus plane then hit the shutter button to stop. In the field I often use the 300mm f4 with the 1.4 teleconverter. This gives a full frame equivalent of 840mm with a close focus of 1.4m. I can easily get a bee, butterfly to fill the frame. I can then stack, pro capture take off or take 50 frames per second in raw with focus inbetween shots. It is a fantastic setup. The dynamic range and noise control are excelent. Not quite as good as my full frame Nikon Z system and glass but not far off. Oh, I also have Nikon Z full frame system bit I do not use it for wildlife. Fantastic images and resolution but can't compete with the macro and wild life capabilities of the OM-1 and if you want a comparative Nikon full frame setup for wildlife it will cost 4x as much. If you want to shoot macro on a budget go two generations back on the OM-1/Olympus and get the 60mm macro lens. This setup is also fantastic.

Hi, from the UK. I have just discovered you and will check out the rest of your content. Great tips. I love macro photography some shots for the aesthetics and others to ID species and individuals. Thanks again.

Do I understand correctly that Zerene destroys color in you images in a way that you can not recover by returning to a full service program and adjusting the color controls? I have not noticed this but I am using TIFF's converted in Canon DPP4 and Lightroom is not famous for the way it handles CR3 files. Have you tried starting with files converted using DXO or any of the other options for RAW conversion and seeing if this poor color is changed in either way by what was done before the program first met the image? Assuming everyone is already a Lightroom addict is a way of saying you do not want viewers who use DXO, Affinity or other ways of converting files. There is also a question on whether the stack was made by advancing the lens setting as done with in camera focus bracketing routines or when done by advancing the camera and lens as a unit either manually or using a motorized rail like the WeMacro. Does that make a difference. Did your tests allow for the fact that some of us use Nikon, OM or Canon while others have Sony. Another of your videos mentions APS-C as 1.6x so I assume you speak Canon (DSLR or Mirrorless???). When making comparisons it is important to avoid blaming a problem on the wrong variable in this complex chain. For me, it makes no difference since I am satisfied with the equipment and software I already have and will not be buying additional cameras or software. That is the job of people who make their living from TH-cam.

I use an OM E-M5 with a rack of lenses. Good camera, I think the weatherproofing is good. you can pour a pint of beer over it, wipe the lens with a dirty handkerchief, stand up, take the shot. It works every time. Now you say OM-1 best camera to learn macro... I disagree, my Olympus TG-6 will stun you straight out of the box at 550 $ new, even more with the ring-flash which costs 35$ on amazon. I am slightly biased as I do a lot of underwater photography so my TG-6 will be dressed up in a -60 meters underwater case with both LED video lights and $$$ underwater strobe. It will hit the eye of a small fast moving fish. I'm biased underwater BUT out of water this camera is just as good. It fits in your pocket, weighs probably as much as the lens you are using then as far as weatherproofing... it is waterproof to at least -5 meters and shockproof the the point you can stand on it. I'm not joking.

This was a great guide and gave a lot of valuable information, thank you for the effort you put into this!

Weevils are the best bugs

Nice walkthrough of some great options! I have the EM5.3 and 60mm - really trying to decide on my next upgrade - either the 90mm macro or the om1. I am leaning towards the 90mm macro - I like the idea of the built in 2x over the 1x, and the ability to also do 1x at a bit further distance from more skittish insects.

Great in depth video. I look forward to seeing more content from you. Not getting closer is probably one of the most common mistakes I see beginners make. Sometimes it is simply due to being afraid of the insects. LoL

Little bit of a story for you. I used to do a lot of photography about 12-15 years ago, including macro, on my Nikon D80. I put it all down to focus on my IT career. Feels like it was a mistake but I met someone at work who I fell in love with and moved in with which allowed me to sell my flat that I lived in. As I work in IT I spend a lot of time sat down in front of computers and have been desperate to have a reason to get outside. So with the some of the proceeds of the flat sale I treated myself to a Nikon Z9 and some lenses including their new 105mm macro lens. One of the best decisions I've made in years. I truly forgotten how much I enjoyed just wondering around. I typically do out doing street photography at the moment but always take my 105mm macro, just in case I come across something interest but very small. Wish you all the best with your channel and you gained a new subscriber today.

Great presentation Old Man Jacob. Look forward to more of your macro content. Sniper Photography

This is an excellent assessment of the Macro capabilities of the OM-1. I use the 60mm f/2.8 and get amazing results. I also often use the DTC function and get crazy good results with in-camera focus stacking. The DTC with the 60mm will give you an effective FF 4:1 ratio -- without sacrificing any aperture speed -- the results are impressive.

I was at a camera shop a year ago, and a guy was asking the owner about a camera Lens that shot Macro good. He didn't have one traded in yet, but took the guys number to call if he got one in.