Due to some shifts in our business emphasis, we recently added an Olympus OM-D E-M1X and a selection of M.Zuiko lenses to our kit. One of the E-M1X features that I have been experimenting with is the Hand-Held Hi Res Mode. After having some good results photographing landscapes, still life subjects as well as captive reptiles and birds, I decided to push things further. This article shares some test macro photography images using the E-M1X Hand-held Hi Res Mode with an M.Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens.
Given the magnification involved, shooting macro photography hand-held can be a bit of a challenge. I wasn’t sure whether using the E-M1X Hand-held Hi Res Mode would work when shooting macro. The E-M1X Hand-held Hi Res Mode takes a total of 16 images in rapid succession, then combines them in camera to produce a 50 MP RAW file. The E-M1X IBIS system makes adjustments between each of the 16 images to allow for the movements of an individual photographer.
This article shares seven sample hand-held hi res macro images. Each is followed with a 100% crop to provide readers with a detailed look.
When using the E-M1X’s hand-held hi res mode a photographer can choose an immediate image capture as soon as the shutter is pressed, or program a delay before the image is taken. I find that I get better results when I use an immediate image capture.
With 16 images being captured during the E-M1X hand-held hi res mode, it is important to choose subjects with very little movement as artifacts can be created.
The Olympus OM-D E-M1X creates a 8160 x 6120 RAW file when the hand-held hi res mode is utilized.
Photographers who would rather shoot macro images using a tripod can set the E-M1X hi res mode for tripod use. This produces an 80 MP RAW file.
I’ve never liked using a tripod so the outstanding IBIS system in the OM-D E-M1X was ideal for my photographic shooting style. It also allows me to shoot my industrial safety videos hand-held which is a tremendous on-site time saver.
Becoming proficient using the E-M1X’s hand-held hi res mode for macro photography will take some time and practice. For as much as I dislike using tripods, I am also looking forward to experimenting with the hi res tripod mode for macro work to see how much detail can be captured with the resulting 80 MP RAW file.
Everyone has their own specific needs in terms of camera gear. No doubt the Olympus OM-D E-M1X may cause more than a few photographers to scratch their heads and wonder who would want to buy this camera. For my client video work and my personal photographic pursuits, it is a perfect fit for my needs.
Article and images Copyright 2019 Thomas Stirr. All rights reserved. No use or reproduction of any kind is allowed without prior written consent. This article was produced specifically for Photography Life. If you see it reproduced anywhere else it is an unauthorized and illegal use.
I could not find, what is time limit for hands free Hi-Res ? It would be nice in museum, but there will be around 1/20 s.
Hi Petar,
I am not aware of any particular time limit in terms of shutter speed for the Handheld Hi Res mode in the Olympus OM-D E-M1X.
I just published my E-M1X 6 Month Review article. Image 33 of the 36 featured in this posting was captured handheld at 1/20 of a second. The M.Zuiko 12-100 PRO IS f/4 lens was used for that image. Here is a link to that article: smallsensorphotography.com/e-m1x…nth-review
The slowest successful shutter speed that I have used with this mode was 0.6 seconds. I used an M.Zuiko 7-14 PRO f/2.8 lens for that image. Here is a link to that article: smallsensorphotography.com/handh…00-sunrise
Your success will depend to a large degree on your handholding technique. I have an upcoming article that features a Handheld Hi Res macro image that was taken one-handed. The shutter speed on that image was 1/400 if my memory serves. Faster that you anticipate… but shooting single handed with my E-M1X held out in front of my body and composing the image from the rear screen… and captured a handheld hi res macro.
I hope this has helped…
Tom
Do older 12-60 Oly m4/3 work on Hi-Res ? I know for experience, i sometimes use rope, settled beneath shoe, gains some vertical “IBIS”. Up to 1/6 @ 16 mm was my reach. Even on older E-P5
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Hi-Res is exactly for this kind shots, old, dark museums, where tripod cant be used.
Hi Petar,
I’m new to the Olympus system so I didn’t know the answer to your question, so I reached out to one of the technical experts at Olympus. Here is the response that I received, “I don’t believe it should have any negative effect on the HHHRmode. This tech is working simply on the sensor based IS and so any lens can be used. It is not like the Macro Bracketing and stacking modes that are reliant on the type of lens being used.”
The Handheld Hi Res Mode is applicable for a wide range of subject matter. I’ve used it very successfully with animals, birds, flowers, machinery and other static subjects. I’ve even had success using it with Handheld Hi Res macro images. You may want to check out the E-M1X 6 Month Review that I recently posted: smallsensorphotography.com/e-m1x…nth-review
Tom
I want to see more! I had an EM10 and then went back to Pentax DSLR and am now in Nikon D610 land. A great camera but I am getting tired of hauling all that around. I am looking at going back to an EM1 MKII and a couple pro lenses. I would love to see more about the ability to capture moving objects/ auto focus. The packaging of the EM1.2 looks ideal. Small and light yet still capable and with the high res mode, can still crank out big files when I need them.
Hi Jarrod,
Due to my schedule I only post here on Photography Life periodically. My website has a couple of dozen articles featuring images captured with Olympus ILC gear. My MC-20 teleconverter only arrived yesterday… so at this point I don’t have too much posted with birds-in-flight etc.
Tom
Great to see an Olympus article. This site has had in depth articles on setting up/recommended settings for a range of cameras, but never for Olympus. It would be nice to now have some on setting up OMD EM1 mkII and M1X cameras.
Hi Roger,
I’m still very new to the Olympus system since I’ve only been shooting with it for a few months. Articles of the nature you note wouldn’t be something I would tackle given my current experience level with the Olympus OM-D E-M1X. There likely are some other resources on the web that could provide this type of information.
Tom
Hi Thomas, did you change ships from Nikon 1 to Olympus? Nice samples of Macro pics :)
Hi Joachim,
We still have all of our Nikon 1 gear and we continue to use it for some of the work that we do. All of our client work will be transferring over to our Olympus kit as it gives us some capabilities (e.g. 4K video) that was not possible with Nikon 1.
We also have an Olympus TG-5 that has a small 6.17 x 4.55 mm sensor. Our photography blog is dedicated to celebrating the joy of photography and features images covering a wide variety of subject matter. Our photo blog also focuses on demonstrating the image capability of small sensor cameras, i.e. micro four thirds, 1″ (Nikon 1) and 1/2.3″.
Tom
The moth picture is impressive!
Glad you enjoyed it Emerson!
Tom
Hello
Thank you for this, Would love to see more content on the EM1X here.
am
You’re welcome Arash! My schedule is pretty hectic so I only have a chance to post here on Photography Life on a periodic basis. There are currently over two dozen E-M1X related articles on my photography blog.
Tom