Rediscover your old photos with OM Workspace...

Last Updated: 4th June 2026

While creating an image database with Kodak film simulations, my thoughts wandered to photography with the E-3 from Olympus. The E-3 is a professional DSLR from 2007 and known for its image quality. Being from South Africa, I have a native awareness of the color nuances found in Africa. While visiting family and friends in South Africa, I made a habit of visiting places that inspired my color preferences. My childhood connection with nature in Southern Africa and the refined Kodak image qualities of the Olympus E-3 guided my digital color palette over the years. Do you have a similar color connection to the country or continent you call home? For example, I always associate Switzerland with flowers or happy colors and deep blue skies. That said, I know the E-3 has a Live MOS sensor and not the popular "Kodak" CCD sensor found in cameras like the E-1, the E-300, the E400, and the E-500. 

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 difficulties when taking the E-3 to South Africa for the first time. I never found the cause and filed the incident as a learning curve. It felt strange to spot the problem so many years later in Workspace. Olympus added a new AUTO option to the gradation function. I seemingly applied the new option without resetting it when done. Having used various versions of Photoshop, I couldn't verify my camera settings as we do with RAW+ and Workspace. Everything changed as I set the gradation option back to "normal" in Workspace. See the indoor example below.

I subsequently converted more RAW+ files from various Olympus DSLRs. In most cases, the changes were noteworthy after updating camera settings like picture mode, tonal adjustments like gradation, sharpness, noise filter, and color space options. I also identified several exposure-related mistakes I made in the past. Imagine tweaking or updating your camera settings 15+ years later.

The images in this article are from my E-3, 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 compact. My RAW+ files from 2010 were converted and edited in Workspace. The included photos are part of an image look I used for my 2026 Workspace videos, focusing on color and monochrome profiles. The following E-3 images and my new film stock database were designed as an inspirational collection of different colors and visual characteristics. While doing no color updates, I did adjust the tonal and exposure values of these images. I like to invite you to practice evaluating your scene's color palette as you would with layers, framing, and foreground objects. For example, would you add more cyan to blue skies, have more natural greens, or other changes?

Here are a few more E-3 photos from Monaco...

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