The OM-1 Focus Limiter Feature

This week we look at the Focus limiter feature of the OM-1 camera. It is not an option that I make much use of, but I feel I should do.

It can be a little awkward to set up, but I look at the best way of doing so.

It restricts the distance that the auto focus can function at so if you want to avoid it jumping onto the background you can do so.

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November

[rolfrettberg]

This is a sensible explanation of the AF limiter. Just came back from a trip and was a bit annoyed about some out of focus shots. This is giving me the perfect explanation.

[rogerhance]

EXcellent video . Well explained. Love the signing Wren pictures at the end.

[gregm]

Those still images, especially, make me drool. I have been shooting with the E-M1X (which I plan to keep), but have an OM-1 arriving in a couple days. I am planning to go to an annual Hummingbird festival on the Texas Coast this September, and can't wait to see what I capture. I was there a couple years back, and there are thousands of hummers at various locations -- as well as several spots with all manner of coastal birds -- Roseate Spoonbills, Terns, Herons, Avocets, etc.. Your excellent videos will be a great help in getting comfortable with the OM-1. Thank you for sharing all your excellent tips!

[johnisaacs]

This feature could be improved for usability with a couple of simple changes. First would be a way to get to the focus limiter setup from the focus limiter function. The function toggles AF limit, and holding it down while rotating a command dial allows you to choose the limit (ON1, etc). I would like to get to the menu item from here, say by pressing and holding the function button, or pressing OK. Second would be a way to get the current focus distance set into one of the limits. Panasonic has a great implementation for this, where you can focus and set both near and far limits in one session. As it is, the feature takes too much time, requires one to remember distance from the PreMF function, and then dial it in one digit at a time.

Note that this would be a very useful function for macro as well. Set near and far limits, engage focus bracketing, and have it start at near limit and end at far limit (or max number of shots, whichever comes first) but let me know how many shots it took when done so I know whether I need to adjust settings.

[Andrew-nxhh]

Great video as usual Mike. Thanks very much for explaining clearly with examples. Concise and helpful.

[louisswaim]

This is a perfect tutorial on when and how to use the focus limiter feature. Now I’m inspired to experiment with it. The footage and stills are wonderful!

[tordandreasson]

Hi Mike.Nice photos as usual. Setting up the focus limiter is not fiddly. What I have done is assign a button to engage the focus limiter. I assigned it to the front button that is used for the one-touch white balance, which I never use anyway (referto page 15 in the user's manual). This way I can instantly turn the focus limiter on/off. I can also switch between On1/On2/On3 by keeping that button pressed while I turn the dial. I have assigned the following ranges as starting pint: On1: 1.4 - 10 meters (close range action), On2: 10-25 meters (for medium range BIF and action shots e.g. Terns) and On3: 25-100 meters, for long range BIF e.g. Eagles. Actually, the ranges depend on which custom mode I am using. HTH, Tord

[robertl.]

Thanks for posting all these videos. I have several photography Youtube subscriptions that I follow but I always find myself gravitating to your videos. They are entertaining, to the point, have beautiful photos and videos, and informative - especially since I just received my new OM-1. Keep 'em coming!

[RichardCookphotography]

Great video Mike. I also did a video on the OM1 AF limiter this week. I used it to take photos of dragonflies. You described it much more clearly and succinctly than I did though. Well done and fab shots as usual👍😀

[elaineflournoy]

thank you! This is such a valuable function - I never hear about it before...plus love your bird set ups!

[wildcat]

What a great explanation of this valuable feature, and also pre MF that has puzzled me for a while. Superb footage and stills of the birds on gorse at the end.

[EyeMD]

Thank you for a simple and well explained tutorial with the best English

[Swaggerlot]

The OM-1 offers many fiddly settings, so requires that people use the camera on a very regular basis. By setting the focus limiter you help the camera to work even better. It continues to amaze me.

[DerekB]

Educational and inspiration - must try it - thanks Mike.

[micktoulmin]

Great tips video again thanks Mike the wren shots are stunning never seen one stay still for that long 😊📷

[ammadoux]

breathtaking images thanks so much.

we will not see stonechats until late September, and those will mainly be the Siberian ones passing by, on there way to east Africa., but those who winter here usually come late October.
a bit busy now but hopefully by next week i can use your advises and get flight shots for our naughty weavers .

[sanclewphotographic]

What an excellent Tutorial and what images just superb, I have never used this feature but determined to give it a go.

[michaelhawkins]

lovely images Mike and as always everything well explained thank you.

[bonilsson]

What a great feature the completely adjustable focus limiter ! I have focus limiter on 3 of my lenses including my 600mm f4 mk2 (the 3, 9 kg version). And what a smart way to use it. I use the limiter on my 600mm frequently, its not as efficient as what you have there on your OM-1 but it still save time for the atofocus. Sometimes I forget to change it back and occasionally miss a shot, quite annoying.

[Hello_its_Tarky]

Very useful video, Mike, and lovely images - thanks 👍