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In-Camera Focus Stacking feature on the GX85

Photo Moment - September 29, 2016

Today's Photo Moment… let's have a look at the new in-camera FOCUS STACKING feature on the GX85!

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No raw?
Thanks!
Thank you!
I think this is a huge advantage when shoot stills in low light
The same feature is also on lx100 ii it would be nice to merge the output of these into a HDR image
Most LUMIX cameras have a built in HDR mode that does exactly that.
!!!
To go straight to the matter in question go to 7:19
Awesome feature. Does it work only in 4K mode? Is there any way to do the same when shooting RAW in M mode?
Only in 4K (and 6K on newer cameras)
Will this work with any panasonic lens or just specific lenses? Thanks.
Great fonction for underwater macro photography!!! Thank you for the explanations I never use this now I will use it for sure.
Hi Joseph, thank you for sharing your knowledge. How can one open an MP4 post focus file from a G9 on a Mac? I've tried Photoshop CS6, Photos, iMovie ... nothing works ... Cheers!
@@photojoseph that explains it then ... I didn't realise it was a OS issue. Until this, I had little reason to upgrade. Thank you again for your help!
sghantous whoa that's an old operating system. The files are H.265 which was not yet supported by any OS as far as I know back in 2016. You can't be upset when old operating systems that pre-date a new technology don't support the new technology.
@@photojoseph Sierra 10.12.6 - finally was able to convert using Handbrake. The whole process is cumbersome and time consuming, and ultimately unnecessary given what can be done in camera, but it bothered me not to be able to even open the MP4 stacks. Thank you much for your quick response!
Hm, what macOS are you on? I thought these opened in QuickTime now. I honestly barely shoot them so will have to check. Let me know what OS you’re on please.
My Pany fz2500 has this feature. With the camera's 1 in sensor I try to look for ways to get or enhance what I can to get the best image quality. This defiantly appears to be an option - especially for Macro shooting. I would think that a tripod & using a 2 sec timer would be best ? Have you tried the ' Hand Held Night Shot ' where the camera increases the I S O & shutter speed - takes 5 exposures & combines them into one picture. I think this does a good job. Enjoy you videos. Thanks
I had an opportunity to talk to a Panasonic Rep today. He said that the Scene Mode - which has the Hand Held Night Shot in it - may not be on the more ' pro - interchangeable lens ' cameras. It is available on some of the smaller sensor bridge / point & shoot cameras.
@@photojoseph The H.H.N.S. is found in 2 places. At the 'camera' discretion ', in Intelligent Auto it's used but if you want it to operate every time - go into the ' Scene Mode ' and select it. For night / dimly lit shots it's truly amazing. If I'm indoors I'll often resort to it. I've made a short telescoping post that I screw into the base / bottom of the camera & then set the post's bottom against something solid - barring this I'll leverage the base against my torso. I have the shutter at half - press & will use the 2 sec timer.
The focus stacking is really cool. I just used it for a recent thumbnail here on YouTube (the video on the Rapid Filter System https://youtu.be/66GtvTFScn8 ). A tripod is a must for focus stacking. The 2 second timer is s good idea if your tripod isn’t very stable, but unless the exposures are long it’s probably unnecessary. As to the “hand held night shot”, no, I’m not even familiar with that feature! I wonder if it’s unique to your camera? Where in the settings is it? It sounds great!!
tooo much talking. sorry
thank you sir
What ever speed you are using... I want some!
Life. The speed of life. (And coffee)
thanks for the effort and the sharing. how many megapixels is the focus stacked image that you created? is it a 8mp jpeg or 16mp raw or 16mp jpeg? thumbs up.
It’ll be a JPEG for sure. Resolution depends if you’re in 4K or 6K Photo Mode. It’s 8mp and 18mp, respectively. And thanks!
Im thinking of getting the GX8 in 2018, does that have the focus stacking firmware update? thanks
I had to check mine… no, it doesn't. It has 4K Photo and it has Post Focus, but it does NOT have the focus merging (stacking) feature, which is an enhancement to Post Focus mode.
can u keep all images and merge later? If so, how are they stored on the camera? Multiple photos? Video?
Tried this on astrophotography, it didn't work. I guess it will only work on a well lit environment.
Ok, then that’s not specifically Astro photography. This is designed to focus stack an object that can’t be captured in focus all at once without going to an unacceptably small Aperture. Not for capturing a subject a few feet away (with a flash, most likely) and a second object a hundred million miles away. Try it as I’ve shown it here; that’s what it’s meant for. For your example, take two separate photos and comp them in photoshop.
Of course you're not going to focus one stars after another. Focus stacking is helpful in astrophotography if you have like a person as foreground and stars as your background.
How would this apply to astrophotography? I get stacking for increased visibility of the stars but this is focus stacking… not like you’re going to rack focus from one star to another.
Good explanation of Focus Stacking!  Do you have to use a tripod to shoot the image, or can you hand-hold the camera and still focus stack afterwards?  Thank you.
Thank you.  I feel more confident ordering the GX85.
Thanks! You will generally get better results if you are on a tripod but you CAN handhold, especially using the built-in feature like in this video. HOWEVER… watch this interview and you’ll see what you can achieve completely hand held! https://youtu.be/bisg8ZsN_a4
Do you have a g85 training course?
Do you need to use a macro lens? Would this work on something small like a flower petal?
Will the firmware update work on other Panasonic Cameras such as the ZS100??
No, firmware updates are model specific
Does it work with 4/3 af lens?
+zzzxtreme will what definitely work; an adapter? The lens will mount and you can shoot with it but automatic features will have to be tested.
PhotoJoseph thanks for the reply. But it will definitely work? Because on olympus, focus bracketing only works with m43 lenses, stacking only works with olymmpus Pro lenses. I wonder if Panasonic has those limitations.
+zzzxtreme The format is micro four thirds. You can adapt four thirds to micro four thirds but it will have slow AF. You’re definitely better off with native lenses if you want auto focus.
How nice low resolution pictures.... Who needs that?
Thank you, good information. I had to skip all the explanation what focus staking is ;) The part where you actually show it in camera is exactly what i wanted! Keep on the good work.
Only 4k, not so awsome
+Hagen Trondheim The GH5 does this in 6K.
can this be updated on gx 8? thanks
wish they also added "brenizer" option on gx80 :-P
brenizer?
Create A image. Panasonic needs to change that to Create AN image.
For best results use remote shutter activation.
No remote shutter port on GX85. Can either touch/tap or use wifi mobile app.
+Ern Reeders Truth
VERY nice video showing how in-camera focus stacking works. I am trying to find out if the GH5 has it. I can't imagine it doesn't have it. I've already pre-ordered mine anyway. But still curious. Again, very nice job especially considering you just got the feature. On my job in the aerospace industry, we did focus bracketing manually by moving the camera and then saving each file and importing into a program called Automontage by Syncroscopy. (This was way before it was available in Photoshop.) This is so much easier! Really a huge deal from someone who did this for a living. Retired now but can't wait to try it on my GH5 in a few months, hopefully...
+John Packard I love it :-) I paid my dues in the darkroom for sure. Started in photography with my dad around that same time (1978) and got into the darkroom shortly after. It is un-freaking-believable what we have today!
Yes, I would say I've done it all old school. I started out in 1978 using mostly 4X5 format. That meant using a lot of Polaroid to establish exposure and then re-shooting with 4X5 cut film. It was mostly black and white and we had to develop it ourselves. Young people who haven't gone through all that don't have the same appreciation for all the amazing digital cameras available to us today. I'm so excited to get a GH5!
+John Packard Thank you! Yeah I haven't heard about it either in the GH5 but I can't imagine it wouldn't be in there. Sounds like you used to do it super old school! Definitely has gotten easier. Oh and in the GH5 with 6K photo that'd mean 18megapixel focus stacking. Sweeeet
Hello Joseph
Is this in camera stacking on.y possible with the GX 85?
sincerely José Middelhuis

http://jmiddelhuis.nl
Hi there and Merry Christmas to everyone! I am trying to use the focus stacking device of my Gx80, unfortunately, i have no fn3 on my screen and pressing it on the device doesn't change anything.. Would you have any idea? Seems like a very simple thing to figure out but i can't.. Thanks a mill!
+Eloise Caillet The Fn3 button is to the right of the viewfinder, in the middle of the camera. You should see, from left to right, Fn4, Fn3, flash and AF/AE LOCK buttons. You can also get to it by pressing MENU/SET button, then CAMERA settings (the first icon), then on page 3 at the bottom, POST FOCUS.
Panasonic Rocks! WOW! complex photoshop-like operations in camera, no computer required! Love my GX85 with the 12mm f/1.4 !

Here's my tribute to the latest firmware update

https://youtu.be/TW27ubj0aOQ

...and I give credit where credit is due, I put this post in the credits.

Cheers!
Thanks for the great informative video
+Corporate Photographer my pleasure!
Tracking forcus is not working. when I shoot body moved. Your test don't have moving object. Do you test or do you have video with fast motion???? sony a6300 do amazing work
+alan nguyen this video is about focus stacking, not focus tracking. I think you may be confusing the features.
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