Troubleshooting small focus differences

bralex · Post by **bralex** » Mon Jun 08, 2020 9:12 am

I'm using an Olympus OM-D EM-5 Mk II, with a Mitutoyo 10x, reversed Raynox 150 as tube lens.

I'm having a problem where the image in the viewfinder is focused, but the actual photo taken is not - example below. I have the camera feeding a monitor, so the "viewfinder" pic is my cellphone

Here's the viewfinder:

Here's the photo

Here's the quick summary of camera settings:

I have disabled image stabilization with no effect. I don't have this problem with "normal" lenses. I figure there's some auto setting that's trying to help, that instead is messing things up. Does the sensor move forward/backwards on shutter press?

I'm controlling the camera remotely (iPad); behavior is consistent across >100 photos - in this case I don't think it's vibration.

Lou Jost · Post by **Lou Jost** » Mon Jun 08, 2020 9:30 am

There is plenty of evidence of motion blur in your second picture. Since your first picture is sharp, the motion is probably due to your shutter shaking the camera. Why aren't you using the Silent Shutter (electronic shutter) option?

bralex · Post by **bralex** » Mon Jun 08, 2020 9:38 am

Turned it on years ago and never tweaked it. Upping the delay made a big improvement. I'll keep experimenting, thanks!

Lou Jost · Post by **Lou Jost** » Mon Jun 08, 2020 9:42 am

Don't add a delay, just turn on the Silent Shutter option. The icon has a heart symbol in the corner of a rectangle. This will completel eliminate your problem, if the motion is coming from the camera.

bralex · Post by **bralex** » Mon Jun 08, 2020 9:44 am

It was already on, but with 0 sec delay. Upping the delay to 1/4 sec made a visible improvement. I'll be able to do more experimenting this afternoon to see about optimizing.

Lou Jost · Post by **Lou Jost** » Mon Jun 08, 2020 10:46 am

Are you sure? Maybe you are thinking of the electronic first curtain shutter, which is not the same?

Macro_Cosmos · Post by **Macro_Cosmos** » Mon Jun 08, 2020 12:14 pm

I agree with Lou's observations and advice here. You may also show us your setup, maybe it's unstable.

bralex · Post by **bralex** » Mon Jun 08, 2020 12:32 pm

Sorry, just getting back to this. Yes, I know the settings I just changed. Previously both silent and anti-shock were on but with 0 sec delay. Changed silent and anti-shock to 1/4 sec. I've literally only taken 1 pic with the new settings but it was sharp and in focus. I'll continue playing this afternoon and see how things turn out.

bralex · Post by **bralex** » Mon Jun 08, 2020 1:16 pm

Reshot more-or-less the same thing, with much better results.

I'd been thinking of external vibration, not internal. My whole house is sadly prone to vibration. I'm using a new WeMacro rail system, which is fairly lightweight.

Here's another frame and the final result - I'm working on better technique, lighting etc. but this was mostly "get it to work" so I'm pretty happy with the outcome.

I appreciate the tip!

Lou Jost · Post by **Lou Jost** » Mon Jun 08, 2020 1:20 pm

Can Silent and Anti-shock can be on at the same time? I don't think so. If a delay is improving things, then you ae not using Silent Shutter, because a delay will have no effect in that mode.

The screen shot of your settings does not show that Silent Shutter is on. It shows a plain rectangle rather than one with a heart in the corner.

Do you hear any sound when your shutter fires?

bralex · Post by **bralex** » Mon Jun 08, 2020 3:56 pm

Both were on and set to 0 delay previously. Setting both to 1/4 sec delay improved things. Setting each and both to 0 delay again left things in good shape.

My only thought is that one of the firmware updates reset/turned off silent mode, but left the setting indicator in the menu on. I'd never noticed the heart icon on the info display in any case, but it's there now.

Lou Jost · Post by **Lou Jost** » Mon Jun 08, 2020 4:01 pm

I'm glad that this worked, and that the heart symbol shows now. If you still have problems while the heart symbol is showing, your house vibrations will be the cause.