Rediscover your old photos with OM Workspace...

Last Updated: 6th June 2026 (I added more Olympus E-3 image quality)

My thoughts wandered to the Olympus E-3 from 2007 with its professional image quality while I built a color reference from Kodak film simulations. Being from South Africa, I have a natural connection to the color hues of Africa. I make a habit of visiting places such as a grocery store that shaped my color preferences when I'm in South Africa with family and friends. My love for South Africa's wildlife species and nature reserves, combined with the refined Kodak look of my Olympus E-3 photos, also impacted my digital color preferences for years. Do you have a similar connection to the colors of the continent, country, or region you call home? For instance, I always associate Switzerland with flowers, happy colors, and deep blue skies. That said, I'm aware that the E-3 has a Live MOS sensor and not the "Kodak" CCD sensor of cameras like the E-1, the E-300, and the E-500.

PS. Did you know product packaging in South Africa uses pastel colors and Switzerland vivid colors...?

The Olympus E-3 with the Zuiko 50-200 mm f/2.8-3.5 lens. I converted the RAW+ file in Workspace.

I recall having exposure problems with the E-3 when I took it to South Africa for the first time. I never found the cause and filed the incident as unsolved. It was strange to discover the cause so many years later in Workspace. Olympus introduced the new AUTO gradation option with the E-3. It seems I used the AUTO option without resetting it. Having had severel versions of Photoshop, I couldn't verify my camera settings as we do with Workspace and the RAW+ format. Everything changed when I set the option to "normal" 15 years later. See the portrait and wildlife/nature examples below.

Subsequently, I converted other RAW+ files from various Olympus DSLRs. In most cases, the changes were noteworthy after changing settings like picture mode, sharpness, noise filter, color space, and gamma adjustments like curves & gradation. I also found several exposure-related mistakes I made in the past. Imagine tweaking and updating your camera settings 15+ years later.

PS. None of these images are cropped much. We have excellent handheld reach with M43 cameras...

The images in this article are from my E-3 with the Zuiko 50-200 mm f/2.8-3.5, the 14-54 mm f/2.8-3.5, and the 25 mm f/2.8 lens. I converted and edited my RAW+ files from 2009/10 in Workspace. The following images represent an image look I selected for my YouTube videos. These images and my new film stock database function as an inspirational collection consisting of different colors and visual characteristics. I edited the tonal and exposure values but kept the colors the same. I'd like to invite you to practice evaluating the colors in your scenes or subjects as you would with layers, framing, and foreground objects. For instance, would you like more cyan in the blue skies, more "natural" greens, or any other color variations? My next video discusses personalized color preferences.

PS. Some of my Monaco photos were taken with the Zuiko 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.

E-3 with the Zuiko 50-200 mm f/2.8-3.5 lens. RAW+ converted & edited in Workspace.

Olympus cameras and Workspace never stopped surprising me. I like to keep my photography simple, which is what Olympus did with their cameras and Workspace. It's a process of basic photography and image editing principles, which enable us to have excellent results with Workspace, RAW+, and 10MP Olympus DSLR cameras. Imagine the possibilities when we add experience to that mix. What would your advice be if you could highlight one aspect of digital photography? My advice would be to step away from social media influencers and free your digital photography from unnecessary advertising. Imagine having only one Olympus DSLR, 4/3rds Zuiko lenses, and OM Workspace...

Folks, it's unlikely to use a camera like the E-3 in 2010 and update your camera settings in 2026. The link between Olympus' strategic color partnership with Kodak and the OM-3 is clear with the high level of tonal and creative color control in modern OM System cameras and Workspace. The OM-3 is not just another camera. It looks more like a final Kodak and creative-color masterpiece...

PS: I converted and edited all the images in this article with Workspace.

Monaco - here are a few more Olympus E-3 photos

I am more comfortable photographing in southern parts of Europe.

OM Workspace, RAW+, and the Color Creator

Last Updated: 30th May 2026

I uploaded a new video to my YouTube channel about OM Workspace, the Enhanced RAW Format, and the Color Creator. As a practical example, I decided to illustrate the color creator with enhanced raw (RAW+) conversions. The goal is 7 raw conversions photographers can use as examples.

I used the following cameras and lenses:

- Olympus E-M1 III

- OM System OM-5

- M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8 lens

- M.Zuiko 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 lens

- M.Zuiko 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3 lens 

Finally, one of the editing examples includes the Olympus Gradation function. I used the AUTO option to rebalance the highlight and shadow ratios with different exposure and tonal ratios.

What to expect from my next video...

Inspiration is a common challenge for photographers. It's interesting to listen to artists talking about the events or life-changing moments that inspired them to take on a new challenge. New technologies or products are often an inspiring experience. In my next video, I am discussing how my articles and photography became an inspiration on my journey with Olympus and OM System cameras.

One of the aspects guiding my journey with cameras like the Pen F, the Pen E-P7, and the OM-3 is OM Workspace, the enhanced raw format, and film stock examples such as Kodachrome 25 or Portra 400. The Kodachrome 200 film from 1986 to 2007 inspired the profile I created for these 12 photos. I will discuss the technique I used to recreate my favorite Kodachrome 200 colors in the next video. Those with older cameras like the E-M1 and E-M5 II can use the same profile with the RAW+ format...

Tip: The TruePic VIII (E-M1 II, E-M5 III, and E-M10 III & IV) is great for Workspace (tonal and color focussed) raw conversions...

The above Kodachrome 200 inspired photos were done with the OM System OM-5 and the M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8 lens.

Wallpaper with the Olympus E-M1 III, the M.Zuiko 12-200mm lens, and Kodachrome 200. Olympus excels when photographing nature!!

The above RAW+ files from my Olympus E-M5 II were converted with my Kodachrome 200 inspired profile.

The worst counter-marketing campaign ever...

Last update: 26th May 2026

The idea of becoming a paid influencer is unappealing, especially when encountering misleading info or astroturfing. Imagine being that person who would repeat anything for a lousy dollar. That is why I kept a basic policy of keeping this blog free from undisclosed promotions. Recently, I have observed weekly-generated AI channels suggesting that OM System will introduce three new high-end cameras for 2026. Given their performance over the past 5 years, it seems highly unlikely. It seems more like a question of corporate marketing directors using AI agents to craft rumors about a new OM-1 III while AI is drawing upon corporate promotional materials displayed in the office.

Study the camera box. Which brand or manufacturer comes to mind?

It's a shame when "trusted" influencers start sharing similar content in YouTube videos or live shows. I've also noticed AI YouTube presenters adhering to a common script. Recently, some of these AI videos started comparing the Panasonic L-10 to the OM-3, which are very different products. It does seem like a marketing program intended to slow down OM System sales. The OM-1 II, OM-3, and OM-5 II are some of the more capable M43 cameras in 2026. OM System also stands out as the only manufacturer dedicated to M43 photography, with new and unique photography solutions consisting of M43 cameras, lenses, and Workspace. There may also be a possibility that competitors are not geared for a new segment wanting updated OM System versions of the EP-7 and the E-M10 IV.

PS. Not a whisper of new high-end cameras from the M43 Rumors site...

Siegfried