Time lapse close focus photography using the Olympus OM-D EM-1, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm 1:2.8 Macro, HLD-7 Power Grip, FR-2 Flash Adapter Ring, STF-22 Twin Flash, Flash Power Grip FP-1, all mounted on a Manfrotto mini tripod. Subject is a Phalaenopsis orchid. Aperture set at F8, ISO 100, manual focus, flash set at manual GN 11, flash head ratio 4:1, camera flash setting at fill flash.
The first part of this movie was recorded with 4 shots per hour and the camera at aperture priority. When I realized the flash did not fire when too much sunlight came in I switched to manual exposure with shutter speed 1/320; I also changed the time lapse to 10 shots per hour to slow down the movements (one hour recording resulting in one movie second). After one day or so both battery packs in the camera and Power Grip were dead. I already ordered the AC adapter 3. For the next series I will also use a flash that is connected with an AC adapter.
First lessons learnt for time lapse photography:
- always use manual focus; you don't want the focus to be corrected during recording
- use manual exposure when a flash is used as the main light source; in this case also set the flash to manual
- aperture priority is the choice when you use available light; you don't want the depth of field to be changed
- use an AC adapter when the movie will be recorded for a day or longer.