12-100 - beautiful but a big let down...

[biggles3]

I recently bought a new E-M1 (I so regretted selling my previous one) as funds won't run to the MkII and was weighing up the merits of the 12-40 and 12-100.

The images produced by both were superb and I really fancied the extra reach of the longer zoom BUT I was surprised to see that focus-stacking is not possible with the lens. Now, the reason I left the Fuji X-T1 for the E-M1 was because of its in-built focus-stacking as I shoot a lot of macro (love that 60mm lens!) and landscape and it's very useful to have the facility in-camera.

Olympus UK checked and said there was no information available that suggested focus-stacking would be possible though they 'could not see why and would have thought a future firmware update might address this shortcoming'. Not being in a position to wait in hope, I opted for the delightful 12-40 and much as I truly love its performance, the longer zoom would have been my preference.

Does anyone here know if Olympus has commented upon the absence of the facility or has plans to introduce it via firmware? Or is there a problem with the construction of the lens, e.g. responsiveness of the micro-motors given the complexity of the optical formula and weight of the glass, that means it will never be possible?

[andym]

I've thought about this and the only reason I can come up with as to why the 12-100 does not support in camera stacking is that the focus distance is not constant with focal length unlike the 12-40.
I never really got on with the 12-40 and found myself using my old 4/3 12-60 most of the time until I got the 12-100.
I think apart from the stacking it's a great lens.
Luckily I have the 40-150 which does support in camera focus stacking.

[biggles3]

Hi andym,

You may well have hit upon the problem. I enjoy using the 12-40, though I still like 12-50 for its versatility, and like you enjoyed the quality of the 12-100 when I had it for testing. Such a pity about the stacking; if I can eventually afford it, the 40-150 would cover all the bases plus an extra 50mm at the far end, albeit in a twin lens se. Better start saving...

[rogerioi]

Hi.

I don't own any of the above lens (12-40; 12-100 or 40-150) but it looks like the one that doesn't allow for focus stacking is the one that has in-lens IS.

Can someone confirm if the 300 doesn't allow for focus stacking as well?

In mechanical terms, it seems plausible to me.

Best regards,
Rogerio

[biggles3]

Focus stacking IS now possible with the 300mm provided of course your camera offers the facility. This has been updated within the last week and also includes the 8mm, 7-14mm and 35mm Macro lenses.

[Ross]

Focus stacking IS now possible with the 300mm provided of course your camera offers the facility. This has been updated within the last week and also includes the 8mm, 7-14mm and 35mm Macro lenses.

I don't see that on the update page. http://dl01.olympus-imaging.com/ww/u.../index02a.html

Firmware Update for OLYMPUS DIGITAL LENS
[ M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO ]
Ver.1.2
(May.8 2017)
Improved noise reduction of sequential shooting while the lens's IS is on when using an E-M1 Mark II.
Ver.1.1
(Nov.22 2016)
Improved AF operation.
MF shooting operations have been improved.
Enhanced stability of operation when shooting video.
Enhanced stability of sequential shooting when using the E-M1 Mark II.
Improved image stabilization accuracy when using the E-M1 Mark II.

http://cs.olympus-imaging.jp/en/supp...tware/firm/e1/

[biggles3]

I don't see that on the update page. http://dl01.olympus-imaging.com/ww/u.../index02a.html

http://cs.olympus-imaging.jp/en/supp...tware/firm/e1/

Hi Ross,
Focus stacking was included in the 4.2 firmware update for the E-M1 but there were some issues and they have now been fixed in 4.3.

[Ross]

Hi Ross,
Focus stacking was included in the 4.2 firmware update for the E-M1 but there were some issues and they have now been fixed in 4.3.

http://dl01.olympus-imaging.com/ww/u.../index43a.html

Firmware Update for OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
[ E-M1 ]
[Precautions when updating firmware]

When updating the firmware from version 1.x/2.x/3.x to 4.3, the camera settings are reset.
When updating the firmware from version 4.x to 4.3, the camera settings are maintained.

Ver.4.3
(Dec.19 2016)
Corrected the following problems that occurred in version 4.2:
Misoperation when shooting with HDR, Focus Stacking, Hand-Held Starlight, or Keystone Comp. while Rec View is set to Off.
* The camera functions are the same as version 4.2.
Ver.4.2
(Dec.1 2016)
Macro Flash STF-8 is supported.
Electronic Flash FL-900R is supported.
Improved stability of exposure when shooting videos.
Focus stacking function is now supported by the following lenses: 　
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 30mm F3.5 Macro
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO
Ver.4.1
(Feb.4 2016)
...............................
/

Yes, I see that, but your statement:

This has been updated within the last week

had me puzzled.

[biggles3]

Hi Ross,

My apologies; on the Olympus page that appeared when Focus Stacking was put in as a search criterion, this appeared at the bottom of the Download section:

Focus stacking is now possible

updated 2017-06-21

Evidently the reference to updating must have been for the section on the Olympus website and not, as you rightly point out, the date of the firmware update; more haste and less speed needed on my part. Sorry for the confusion...