Olympus Color and Creative Photography - Part 6

Last Updated: 28the July 2023

Introduction.

Why does the Olympus Pen-F continue to be a fascinating camera in 2025? Included is a short overview of the Color and Creative Strategy that Olympus introduced with the E-30 (9 aspect ratios, 6 ART filters, SCN Modes, and Auto Gradation). The EM5 II was the first hybrid camera with these Color and Creative features. Workspace, the Pen-F, and the E-M1 II/III represented the best of these features with the Enhanced Raw Format. I am also reviewing a new Fuji color profile for Olympus.

The original design criteria for digital cameras consisted of 3 analog photography elements. Olympus focused on the sensor, image processor, and lenses. These elements quickly improved to the point that Olympus cameras consistently delivered good image quality over the past 15 years. The selection of camera body materials and price/quality ratios are a bigger concern than image quality.

Olympus recognized this trend in the 1990s and decided to add another core element to Olympus cameras. They introduced the Color and Creative Photography concept with the E-30, and the original EM5 was the first OM-D camera with creative and computational features. Most competitors and reviewers ignored this new element or value-creation step until more recently. Olympus introduced the highest level or iteration of this Color and Creative concept with the Pen F.

It all started with this camera in 2015. They continue to deliver exceptional value and can be found for less than $400.

We will discuss the following in this article:-

1. Introduction
2. A brief overview of Olympus M43 cameras
3. The differences between Fuji and Olympus
4. Olympus Color and Monochrome Profiles
5. Conclusion

2. A brief overview of Olympus cameras

Imagine Canon introduced the EOS 760D, Nikon the D7200, Sony the A7 II, Fuji the XT10, Panasonic the G7, and Olympus the 2nd generation EM5 MKII. Forum "experts" and reviewers raved about Canon, Nikon, and Sony's bigger sensors, more megapixels, dual autofocus, and Live View. At the same time, Olympus introduced the next-level Color and Creative Photography concept with the EM5 II. It took most competitors at least 8 years to appreciate the significance of this introduction.

I update my articles as I learn more about this Color and Creative Photography concept from Olympus. This includes technical updates, general info, and more about Olympus Live MOS sensors. Did you know that Olympus identified and perfected new technologies up to a decade before its competitors introduced something similar? The Olympus version of stabilization (IBIS) is a great example...

Olympus EM5 II with 60mm f2.8 macro lens - High-Resolution Mode, Color Creator, edited in Workspace.

A short summary of the Color and Creative Photography concept from Olympus:-

1. The 1st camera that introduced the unique Color Creator was the OMD EM1.  
2. The Olympus Pen-F introduced Color Profiles and MonoChrome Profiles
3. The ability to tweak the camera's Gamma Curve started with:
1. Highlights/Shadows (EM1) and Midtones with the EM5 II)
2. Auto Gradation started with the Olympus E-520 DSLR
3. The Tone Curve function in Viewer 3 and later Workspace
4. Great features like Live Composite and Live Time are unique to Olympus
5. The Olympus iEnhance Picture Mode plus Color Filters (basic color filters)
6. The Olympus SCN modes and ART filters improved with new cameras (EP7)
7. Olympus replaced Viewer 3 with WorkSpace with more advanced features
8. Workspace introduced the Enhanced Raw Format which is unique to Olympus
9. For example, WS uses the same Image Processing environment as Oly cameras
10. I discovered Workspace simulates "Live View" after hours of editing with WS
11. Then we have the "old-school" saturation, contrast, and sharpness (all brands)
12. Features - Pro-Capture, High-Resolution mode, Live ND, and Focus Stacking
13. Olympus designed and added a new core element with powerful creative features

Why Color and Creative Photography? It explains how Olympus photographers experience the world. Forum advisors and reviewers complain by saying the High-Res mode only applies to static scenes. M43 photographers embrace High-Res and creative photography. They see products, food, sunrise, sunset, and landscapes as high-resolution opportunities. They will simulate an ND filter with the High-Res mode while photographing moving water or city scenes. They know High-Resolution applications improve the camera's dynamic range and reduce noise. Creative Olympus photographers master High-Resolution applications and celebrate creative and computational photography...

Olympus EM5 II with 12-200mm Lens ISO200, f6.3, 1/650 - Enhanced Raw converted in WS - Color Creator.

Forum advisors and reviewers didn't see the significance of the Pen F when Olympus introduced it in 2016. We can compare the Color and Creative Photography concept to IBIS. It took Olympus 13 years to have a perfect version of IBIS with 7.5EV in-body image stabilization for the Olympus EM1 III. Forum advisors spend hours distracting photographers by saying Olympus didn't invent IBIS.

While being an exciting Color and Creative camera, the Pen-F always felt like an experiment. Was this a strategic launch for Olympus to test the acceptance of future color and creative options? At the same time, camera reviewers and forum advisors complained about the placement of the Creative Dial as they "wisely" labeled it a marketing gimmick? They also promoted full-frame DSLRs, more megapixels, 6K video, DSLRs with Live View, Mic inputs, new menus, and headphone jacks? 

The Pen-F Press Release notes continue to be a good read in 2023.

Press release summary: The Monochrome and Color features of the Pen-F started a new era for creative photography. It allows us to apply a new color and monochrome concept, plus the ability to follow any changes in the camera with Workspace and Live View. The Pen-F and the EP-7 are the best choices for photographers wanting advanced Color and Creative Photography features.

Olympus Pen-F with 17mm f1.8 lens - ISO500, f4.5, 1/60 - Enhanced raw file edited in Workspace - Color Creator.

3. Color Profiles and the differences between Fuji and Olympus

This is a great subject and could fill many pages of a separate article. I have been using Fuji cameras for more than 2 years. The reason I bought the X-T4/5 is the ongoing uncertainty with OM-System. They did a great job launching the Olympus OM-1 and deserves positive feedback. I prefer Olympus used cameras like the EM5 II/III, Pen F and EP-7, OMD EM1 I/II/III, and the Olympus OM-1.

I also prefer to support manufacturers with a history of photography. Fujifilm is one of those companies. I bought my Fuji X-T5 shortly after it was introduced. The Fuji X-T5, Olympus EM1 III, and Pen F are great examples. The long-term viability and future of OM-System continue to be an open question. See my thoughts about the new O-M5, the OM1 II, and the lack of a Pen F II.

3.1 What's the difference between the Olympus Color Profiles and Fuji?

The difference is the X-Trans sensor and Color Filter Array. Don't let reviewers or forum advisors tell you it's Fuji marketing like they did with Olympus. Fuji is a market leader in simulating traditional analog photography and how to integrate that experience with its modern X-Trans image sensors. Do your own research by starting with the Fuji X-T5 and the above Fuji information.

Source: Fujifilm X-T5

Fuji cameras come with a selection of up to 18 film simulations like Provia (standard), Velvia (Vivid), Astia (soft), and several B&W and monochrome options. Each has a unique description to guide the photographer while selecting film simulations. I never saw similar film simulations for Olympus or any other camera brand. One can add a Color or Blue Sky Chrome Effect to these film simulations. The color chrome effect reminds me of the Color Creator of Olympus.

Study this link about the Fuji X-T5 and go down to the film simulations. The biggest strengths of Fuji and Olympus cameras are color, image quality, and the option to create the final image in the camera. Fuji film simulations and JPEGs are superior to most brands, and the Olympus Color and Creative Photography concept is superior to anything else in this segment...

Fujix Weekly developed a unique community of Fuji owners. They created film filters like the one below. These filters are based on standard Fuji film Simulations with simple variations to basic camera settings. See the example below.

A new color Color Filter for the X-T5.

How to copy Fuji's film simulations for Olympus:-

• Fuji Film Simulations - The Pen-F and E-P7 are the only cameras that can do this
• Fuji Film Simulations - Workspace compliments the Pen-F and the E-P7 functions
• Clarity and Color Chrome - Use Clarity in WS and the Color Creator = Chrome Effect
• DR100%, DR200% - this is a clever feature from Fuji (See this article for more info)

EM5 II with the Lumix 35-100mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f5.6, 1/250 - Raw file converted in WS - I added a Chrome effect with the Color Creator.

Is it possible to use Fujix Weekly Color Filters with the EM5 III? We first need to study the Fuji Film Simulations and their descriptions. The next step is to replicate Fuji Film Simulations for the EM5 III. Some presenters say it's possible with the OMD and PEN cameras. I found these Fuji film simulations are too complex for OMD cameras. Only the Pen-F, E-P7, or Workspace will replicate them.

For example, the Classic Chrome Simulation description says, "slightly desaturated colors (reds and greens) with stronger shadow contrasts for dramatic lighting, retro-style subjects, and reportage projects." It's a safe place to start replicating these Classic Chrome Film attributes with something like the Olympus EM10 II or the EM5 II. These are the settings I used:

• Desaturated Colors - Select the Muted Picture Mode plus A -2 and G -2 (SCP)
• Desaturated Colors - Go to the SCP and set the RGB setting to -2
• Harder Shadow Contrasts - Select Highlights +2, Shadows -3, and mid-tones -2
• We can do more with the Pen-F because it's better at adjusting individual colors.

The above settings replicate only the Classic Chrome Film Simulation. The Kodachrome 64 Filter settings have to be added on top of that. This is a process of working on the different parameters until you reach the right look. I tested the above profile with my EM5 II against the XT-5. I could only get approximately 85% of the Classic Chrome simulation with my EM5 II. I also used the Color Creator to create a Chrome effect with the following settings: Color = 2 and Vividness = -2.

Fuji X-T5 with 27mm f2.8 lens - ISO400, f5.6, 1/1100 (Provia/Standard).

Olympus EM5 II Kodachrome 64 Profile

• Picture Mode: Muted (See this video)
• Grain Effect: Set the max ISO to ISO1600
• Color Chrome: Use the Color Creator (See this article)
• White Balance "Daylight": (A 0) and (G -7)
• Highlight: +2
• Shadow: -3
• Midtones: -2 (Adjust between -1 to -2)
• Gradation: Normal
• Color: -1 (RGB)
• Sharpness: +1
• Noise Reduction: None
• Clarity: Can be added in Workspace (Enhanced Raw File)
• Auto ISO up to ISO2000 (fixed)
• Exposure Compensation: 0 to +2/3 EV

The main difference between Olympus and other cameras is the Pen F and the Pen E-P7. The "Color Adjust" and Monochrome Profile functions are far superior. I am not planning to copy more Fuji film simulations or Fujix Weekly Filters for Olympus cameras. Your best option is to buy a secondhand Fuji camera like the XT-20/30 if you like to try Film simulations or Fujix Filters...

Olympus EM5 II with Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/400 - Raw edited in WS with Color Creator.

4. Color and Monochrome Profiles

This is the final article in this 6-part series discussing Color and Creative Photography. Did you know all the color settings on your Olympus camera are available in Workspace and the Enhanced Raw Format? It's possible to tweak your Color Creator, Color Profiles, and Monochrome Profiles in Workspace. It's the only raw converter that accesses the camera's Art Processor.

I decided to rewrite this section and focus on one question only. What do we need to develop profiles, and what are the main steps when creating color or monochrome profiles?

I did only a few color profiles because I prefer how photographers benefit from learning to work with color. I hate to be the reason why photographers accept things like the "size and capture" theory. Some of the most critical skills in the modern age are critical thinking and a creative mind...

4.1 The Color Wheel

The Color Creator, the Adjust Color, and the Monochrome Profile functions are all based on the RGB Color Wheel. I created the one below as I studied my new Pen-F. I learned much from designing the color wheel and adding the specific Olympus information on the Color Wheel.

Do we need a Color Wheel like this? We don't need one because the Color Creator, the Adjust Color, and Monochrome Color Wheels are similar. These functions can be used to make quick decisions, like finding opposite colors or color harmonies. See this article for more about the Color Wheel, Opposite Colors, and Color Harmonies.

Opposite Colors are critical for Olympus. For example, how does one adjust the White Balance setting with the Green and Amber options in the SCP? Cameras like Fuji or Panasonic use a nifty color matrix function to fine-tune the WB. It relies on Opposite Colors and the Color Wheel. I added the Olympus WB adjust sliders to the Color Wheel. The opposite of amber is blue, and green is magenta. Positive values change the colors amber and green, and negative values are magenta and blue. Study the WB adjust sliders on the color wheel. Also, study the WB sliders in Workspace.

4.2 What do we need for Color Profiles?

Practice with the Color and Creative Photography functions as much as possible. Master your Olympus camera functions and Workspace. For example, do you visualize concepts like the SNR to ISO ratio or any adjustments for the Color Creator? Do you use the Color Creator?

The following illustration summarizes the Color and Creative Photography features of Olympus. We can create Color Monochrome Profiles in the camera or with Workspace. The Enhanced RAW Format helps us to test our profiles on our PCs. The only differences between Olympus cameras and Workspace are Tone Curves adjustments and the Hue and Brightness sliders for the Color Adjust function in Workspace. Only Workspace will combine multiple options like ART and Color Filters. 

The video below discusses Color and Creative editing examples. Also, see this video on how to edit your images in Workspace. These two videos give a good introduction and advanced overview of Workspace. The secret is to spend time and do lots of editing and practicing with Workspace. YouTube selected a lower resolution for this video. Goto settings and set the resolution to 1080p.

The following YouTube Video gives a short introduction and overview of FujiFilm X Raw Studio. The information will help you to see the differences. The sound is not OK. I am planning to do more recordings on Fuji.

5. Conclusion

My goal was to assist readers in learning more about the Color and Creative Photography features of Olympus. Yes, we can get similar results with Lightroom or Photoshop, but having your camera settings available in Workspace is super special. Workspace, therefore, requires a different editing style that needs time to practice and master. Workspace also works best for photographers who do things right with their cameras. Workspace is NOT a rescue package for incorrectly exposed images...

The benefit of regularly working with Workspace is your editing skills and ability to develop color profiles improve. See this article (Technique 19) for more on Workspace and working in Live View. 

It's becoming more difficult to find secondhand Pen-F cameras in excellent condition. Get yourself a Pen-F or the EP-7 if you find one in good condition. These cameras will continue to be the ultimate creative color tools for Photographers. The E-P7 and its excellent image quality are a good choice.

Here are the first 5 articles in this series below:-

• A new color strategy from Olympus, Part 1 - link
• Digital Cameras and Color Accuracy, Part 2 - link
• Color Wheel and Olympus Color Creator, Part 3 - link
• The Color Profile function in WorkSpace, Part 4 - link
• Using your camera and editing in WorkSpace, Part 5 - link