Canon EOS M3 for the macro-photography

Adalbert · Post by **Adalbert** » Thu May 26, 2016 1:00 pm

Hello everybody,
I would like to present you my new camera Canon EOS M3.
As soon as I have received the mount M to EF I started my tests.
This is a mount, which transfers the electrical signals, so I can change the aperture, can flash remotely and stack with the autofocus of the photo lens.
The external flashes can be fired if a photo-lens (with feedback) is connected to the camera.
So, for the finite microscope lenses the adapter with a chip is needed.
Firstly I have tested the magnification of the best lenses I have.
As a tube lens I have used the EF 70-200L.

So, for the focus-stacking I would see the following pros & cons:

Advantages:
- crop factor 1.6
- 24 MP sensor
- convenient control of external flashes
- compatibility with the Yongnuo 622C
- IR remote control
- electronic first shutter
- low vibration
- small weight
- no mirror
- movable display
- WiFi
- Canon Connect via WiFi (smartphone / tablet)
- convenient operation using two dials, as in the good DSLRs
- touch screen is also sometimes helpful
- live histogram
- focus peaking
- eco and power saving mode
- grid display for stitching

Disadvantages:
- small battery capacity
- no connection to the wired remote control
- no wireless connection to Canon Utility (only via USB)
- Canon Utility allows only the download of the pictures
- not (yet) implemented in Helicon Remote

In the first test, everything went smoothly. The signals and the frequencies for the IR emitter for the EOS 6D fitted to EOS M3.

CONCLUSION: I think the EOS M3 is good for the focus-stacking
I miss the stacking feature in the current firmware, but I am looking forward to the macro-lens with LEDs :-)

BR, Adi

Pau · Post by **Pau** » Thu May 26, 2016 2:50 pm

Adi, thanks for posting. This confirms previous opinions based in camera specifications.

Can it be computer controlled via USB like Canon DSLRs?
If not, it's a pity that the disadvantages about tethering weight more for me than the advantages.

Adalbert · Post by **Adalbert** » Fri May 27, 2016 12:28 am

Hello Pau,
You can only download the images via USB and Canon Utility works only via USB (no WiFi).
This camera can be controlled remotely via WiFi only by the app “Canon Connect”.
Helicon Remote doesn’t support it.
BR, Adi

MacroLab3D · Post by **MacroLab3D** » Tue May 02, 2017 10:52 am

Wow that was useful info, thanks. I am thinking to get one too. Bad sign is that one year later still no Helicon support. To me this is the only disadvantage. All else - perfect choice for me.

So you making your stacks manually? Move-shot, move-shot? I am imagining 300 shot is going to be tedious. How do it?

Adalbert · Post by **Adalbert** » Wed May 03, 2017 6:33 am

Hi MacroLab3D,
No, I am using my macro-slat:
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... highlight=
The current version with Arduino UNO is easy to assemble.
BR; ADi

ray_parkhurst · Post by **ray_parkhurst** » Wed May 03, 2017 8:21 am

Adalbert wrote:Hello Pau,
You can only download the images via USB and Canon Utility works only via USB (no WiFi).
This camera can be controlled remotely via WiFi only by the app “Canon Connect”.
Helicon Remote doesn’t support it.
BR, Adi

So to confirm, the EOS Utility, which gives control of the camera settings, on-screen Live View, shutter release, and automatic downloading of images (among other tethering functions), does indeed work on this camera similar to other Canon DSLRs? But only via wired USB interface...

Pau · Post by **Pau** » Wed May 03, 2017 9:19 am

Ray, I understand the opposite: CU only seems to work to download images, not to control the camera nor live image. At the camera instructions downloaded from Canon site it isn't clear enough but camera control is not specified like in EOS DSLRs.

Adi, please clarify us it

ray_parkhurst · Post by **ray_parkhurst** » Wed May 03, 2017 9:41 am

Pau wrote:Ray, I understand the opposite: CU only seems to work to download images, not to control the camera nor live image. At the camera instructions downloaded from Canon site it isn't clear enough but camera control is not specified like in EOS DSLRs.

Adi, please clarify us it

That's why I asked, as the statement "You can only download the images via USB and Canon Utility works only via USB (no WiFi)." was not completely clear. I read it as the Canon Utility works over USB but not by WiFi.

MacroLab3D · Post by **MacroLab3D** » Wed May 03, 2017 9:56 am

Adalbert, thanks for info. I was going to buy M3 or M5, but now this only disadvantage holding me to do so. I have Cognisys Rail but it's not supporting M3 too. So sad.

By the way, looking at your system i wonder how you deal with "micro movements" of the specimen? Didn't is bothers you? I did one day this test and it was a disaster.

Adalbert · Post by **Adalbert** » Wed May 03, 2017 2:09 pm

Hi guys,
My EOS M3 (firmware 1.1.0) connected via USB enables with the EOS Utility 3 (3.4.3.0) ONLY download of the pictures and modification of some settings.
The remote controlling (live-view, etc) is not possible.

This camera can be controlled remotely only by the app "Canon Connect" via wifi.

BR, ADi

Adalbert · Post by **Adalbert** » Wed May 03, 2017 2:22 pm

Hi MacroLab3D,

”I have Cognisys Rail but it's not supporting M3 too”

Have you already tried via IR ?
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... highlight=

BTW,

"micro movements" of the specimen

?

BR, ADI

MacroLab3D · Post by **MacroLab3D** » Thu May 04, 2017 5:30 am

Adalbert wrote: ?

BR, ADI

Wow. Thanks. This forum has so many answers, but they usually buried somewhere. I will learn this link you provided for sure. Already ordered some china IR and wired remotes to play experiments with, but i feel like "Robot" is my answer, so no need to bother with remotes i guess. NICE!

"Micro movements" of the specimen is due to movement of you specimen holder. Holder moves = specimen forced to move too, and there is some shaking involved as a result. At the end of the stack you have slightly different pose which leads to defective stacking with two legs for example (my experience).

Adalbert · Post by **Adalbert** » Thu May 04, 2017 11:33 am

Hi MacroLab3D,
My macro-slat is vibration proof :-)
BR, ADi

Choronzon · Post by **Choronzon** » Sun May 07, 2017 9:18 am

I would be most interested to know if anybody is using this camera for photomicrography, as the reviews I've read online say that with efcs, there is noise and a felt vibration when first curtain opens for exposure.

Adalbert · Post by **Adalbert** » Sun May 07, 2017 12:41 pm

Hi Choronzon,
I have been using the EOS M3 for quite one year.
Enclosed you will find some examples:
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... highlight=
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... highlight=
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... highlight=
BR, ADi