M3 Brackets: Release 2

This post presents a video showing the M3 Brackets script (downloaded from the right) being used in the Canon M3.

The script has been written with the 'scape photographer' in mind, and will allow the following to be achieved:

• Setting an infinity blur for a 'hyperfocal+' capture, ie you decide the infinity blur you wish to see. M3 Brackets tells you when you are focusing beyond the hyperfocal and what the infinity defocus blur is in microns;
• The overlap blur sets the hyperfocal. It is recommended this be between, 15-20 microns.
• Diffraction blur is not modelled, ie only defocus blur;
  
• Adjust aperture and shutter speed, when the script is running, by exiting and re-entering CHDK Alt mode. Also, after exiting Alt mode, you can capture as many images as you like, before you re-enter Alt mode. After exiting and re-entering Alt mode or after changing focal length in Alt mode, you will need to reset the running script by simply pressing the RIGHT button on the control dial;
• When you have exited Alt mode, with the script running, you can cycle through the Canon screens with the INFO button and access the histogram etc, before cycling to a non-histogram screen and re-entering Alt mode;
  
• After a focus bracket set has been captured, the script will need to be re-initialised;
• Undertaking auto deep focus bracketing, from an initial point of (near) focus or by telling the script to automatically start at the lens focus minimum;
• Focus bracketing is based on a split lens, thick, model, and thus is 'more accurate' than a simple thin lens model: but pupil magnification is not accounted for, so it is best to slightly lower the overlap criterion you use;
  
• Lenses are explicitly registered in the script, which comes with two pre-registered lenses: an EF-M 11-22mm and an EF-M 28mm Macro;
• Focus bracketing is enabled by pressing the SET button at the review point, ie when in Alt mode;
  
• The script gives you various exposure bracketing options, including a so-called sky bracketing feature (see previous posts). Exposure bracketing occurs at each focus station;
  
• Exposure bracketing can be used without focus bracketing;
• Bookends may be selected, to help delineate bracket sequences; and logging can be enabled, ie to record focus info or the name of a lens.

In the following test/demo video I captured various M3 Bracket activity, eg starting up, going in and out of Alt mode, infinity bracketing, and finishing on a focus bracket sequence:

Although the above is not a definitive demonstration of all the functionality in M3 Brackets, I hope it provides some insight to get you going.

Note, although focus peaking was on and working well, the video recording did not capture peaking.

As usual I welcome any feedback on this post and please don't hesitate to ask questions about M3 Brackets: IMHO it's the only script you need as a Canon M3 photographer ;-)