Olympus EM1 II with Leica 25mm f1.4 lens - ISO6400 f7.1 1/13Sec with ETTR - Enhanced Raw file converted in WorkSpace and edited in Photoshop.
What is ETTR or Exposing to the Right?
ETTR means an optimum aperture, shutter speed, and luminance mix. The goal is to increase the sensor's SNR and saturation. The key is knowing that the ISO function does not control the light from the building to the sensor, whereas the shutter, aperture, and flash control how much reflected light is reaching the sensor. I also adjusted my flash to match the illumination and light reflecting from the inside of the building. A fully exposed sensor means less noise and increasing the camera's tonal data and image quality. This article discusses luminance, reflected light, and the types of light.
This article discusses 7 critical points photographers should know.
What is the role of the ISO function?
We manage 4 of the camera's exposure variables. These are the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and reflected light. The ISO does not change the sensor's sensitivity. It amplifies the image signal and the noise coming from the sensor. See my other articles for more about the sensor's noise floor.
My flash illuminated the building and increased the reflected light, and the fixed ISO and my aperture and shutter speed settings controlled the light reaching the sensor. Study this article for more about the interaction between the ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and luminance. This article reviews the ISO as an image signal amplifier or brightness adjustment. I often use my ISO strategically.
The most critical aspect impacting image quality is understanding the ISO. Avoid Auto ISO settings and learn how to manually use the ISO.
What are the benefits of ETTR?
ETTR is not something we use daily. The most effective way to manage the sensor's performance is to master the roles of the aperture, shutter, and ISO. The average consumer camera records more tonal data (image quality) with a saturated sensor. Digital cameras typically double the tonal data for every +1 EV of ETTR. That means the histogram moves to the right, the sensor's saturation and SNR improve, and the camera records better image quality (tonal data).
The under-exposed version has approximately 75% less total data.
How does one apply ETTR?
I only use ETTR for the most challenging cases. An Exposure Shift of up to +1 EV is enough. I also prefer Aperture or Shutter Mode with a fixed ISO. For example, an ISO of 64 or 100 is perfectly OK in most daylight conditions. I also use my ISO function strategically because we know it adjusts image brightness and is part of the exposure formula. A fixed ISO lets us use exposure compensation for ETTR while monitoring the sensor's saturation and SNR levels with the histogram...
A copy of the Olympus EM1 II display when the camera selected the exposure.
Olympus cameras have a default safety Headroom to prevent the sensor from clipping. For example, the camera's exposure meter shows a correct exposure while the sensor is not saturated. It's possible to manage this safety headroom with ETTR. For example, one can increase the exposure by up to 2 EV with the blue sky as a background. Another scene might limit the possible ETTR compensation to 0.5 EV. The camera's exposure meter will show an overexposure reading with ETTR. We correct this in Workspace with the exposure compensation (ISO) function.
Study the image below. I used an ETTR of 1EV. There was enough available dynamic range to increase the exposure with another stop. This is how much the camera's exposure meter desaturated the sensor. The processed tonal data in the shadows suffer most in these conditions...
A copy of the Olympus EM1 II display with an ETTR of 1EV.
General comments
Photographers think that ETTR only works at the camera's base ISO. This is not 100% correct because digital cameras are designed to capture more tonal data with the histogram to the right, irrespective of the ISO value. The dynamic range does reduce a little at higher ISOs. Does this mean we shouldn't use ETTR at higher ISOs, or should we manage the situation?
Tip:-The ISO effectively adjusts image brightness and not the exposure.
In terms of exposure, the following basics are critical:-
The aperture and shutter are the only variables controlling the light to the sensor
The ISO function only amplifies the image signal coming from the image sensor
Do this quick ETTR experiment:-
Find a scene with deep shadows and not overly bright areas.
Set the camera to A, S, or P Mode with Auto ISO and take an image.
Use the above camera settings (fixed ISO) for a 2nd image in Manual Mode.
Use your aperture or shutter speed to increase the exposure in 0.5 EV steps.
The histogram shows what's happening on the sensor with a fixed ISO.
Download the images to your PC and study the shadow areas for noise.
Conclusion
The camera's histogram tells us when the image sensor desaturates at base ISO or when the camera applied a safety exposure headroom. This "safety headroom" is one of the main reasons having visible shadow noise. Knowledge and experience taught me it's safe to overexpose Olympus cameras with up to 1EV (ETTR) and correct the exposure in Workspace. The secret is a fixed ISO and keeping an eye on the histogram for highlight clipping while applying ETTR (adjusting the aperture/shutter).
The most important aspect I learned from studying M43 sensors, testing Olympus cameras, and writing is, that image noise has become an effective counter-marketing strategy in favor of full-frame cameras. I recently tested the impact pixel area has on 15 cameras. The image quality differences, especially in the shadows, were surprisingly small. You will find the article here.
Do I often apply ETTR? I have several Olympus cameras in my collection and photograph almost each day with one of them. I regularly use these cameras while preparing articles and is confident the Olympus engineers selected well specified 16MP and 20MP sensors. This means these sensors perform well in a wide range of applications. I occasionally need to apply ETTR, but learned that my understanding of Olympus cameras is more valuable than focusing on noise and ETTR...
Sony A7 III with 50mm, f1.8 lens - ISO25600, f7.1, 1/30sec, and ETTR - The Raw file was edited in PhotoLab 3 plus PhotoLab 3 noise reduction.
Update - I am updating this article - 23rd July 2025
I always wonder what happened to all those hobby filmmakers of yesterday. They spent hours filming their families, breaking waves, wildlife and zoo animals, and playful pets. All this enthusiasm seemed to have disappeared when the older VHS cassette transformed into a digital hybrid camera.
Did camera manufacturers underestimate the growth potential of hobby and family filmmakers? What seems to have happened is camera manufacturers deciding to target "professional" filmmakers with dedicated filming equipment from RED, Canon, and Panasonic. It's fun to see how Olympus decided to target hobby and home VHS filmmakers. Let's review filmmaking basics with an EM5 II.
Homemade movie using simple movie-making techniques and three Olympus cameras
Many photographers and some previously enthusiastic filmmakers believe they were left behind by the digital camera industry. They feel intimidated by things like digital video formats, 8K, and the need for high-end PCs. Many are in the dark in terms of camera settings or what additional equipment they need. Looking back, it's clear that my own experience mirrors these concerns. It was more challenging to adapt to digital filmmaking than it was to study digital photography.
This is not good. On the one hand, forum "experts" demand more, and on the other hand, potential hobby filmmakers are more alienated with each new camera model. What can we do to assist digital photographers in rediscovering the joys of filmmaking? Did Olympus recognize this need by designing a more user-friendly filmmaking environment with their M43 cameras and Workspace?
This article takes a closer look at hobby filmmakers, video equipment, and what settings work best for digital cameras. We will study M43 cameras and how to edit videos with Workspace. The aim is to support readers with the basics of creating and editing home, YouTube, and Instagram videos.
What camera equipment do we need?
Any of the older and current Olympus and OM System M43 cameras are good for video. Many compacts are also good for video. This includes cameras like the EM1 II, EM5 II, Pen F, E-P7, EM10 II, and the EPL8 and 9. Older M43 cameras like the EM5, EM10, and the EM1 are also capable filmmaking options. Some of these older M43 cameras are popular for their unique image (film) look.
Any of the lenses below are good enough for filmmaking:
Olympus 12-50mm EZ Kit Lens - great for filming; benefit is the motorized zoom
Olympus 14-42mm EZ Kit Lens - Smaller zoom range but with motorized zoom
Olympus 30mm or 60mm Macro lenses for close-ups or more detail views
Olympus Pancake Lenses - any of the fixed f1,8 focal length lenses are perfect
Olympus M43 40-150mm and the 14-150mm general zoom lenses
Olympus M.Zuiko 12-45mm f4 Pro and 40-160mm f4 Pro lenses
Any of the Olympus standard M.Zuiko compact and Pro lenses
Depending on your recording strategy, you might benefit from having an ND filter to manage the 4th variable in the exposure mix. Study this article for more. Variable ND filters are often more practical than two or three fixed ND filters. Use filter (diameter) adapters or lenses with the same filter spec. The above list of M.Zuiko lenses has filter diameters ranging from 46 mm to 58 mm.
Smallrig flash mount filming handle with LED light and mic
What else do we need for filmmaking with Olympus M43 cameras? The following items are practical items, but not necessarily must-have items:
Camera cage or camera handle that fits into the hot shoe (see above)
A couple of inexpensive, small and portable (LED) light sources
An external microphone, or a mobile phone as an external recording device
An external monitor (not necessarliy the recorder type)
Tripods and various types of reflectors
The SmallRig "Video" handle helps while filming from a lower position or when closer to the ground. It's also good for specific camera movements such as moving closer to or away from subjects. When used in combination with IBIS, video handles enable us to do complex camera movements.
Like photography, I was intimidated by the mainstream views of filmmaking. I decided to keep the original content in the next chapters and to add my current camera information and configuration as an alternative. Sometimes it's better to take a step back and start with a clean sheet of paper.
Which camera settings should I use for filmmaking?
I used the EM5 II for the video clips, final video, and illustrations in this article.
From the camera menu, select the gear menu "I. Movie." Study the examples below to adjust your camera.
This is what I recommended in the past:-
Select shutter priority or S-Mode - 2nd image from the left
Set the Noise Filter to "Standard" - 4th image from the left
Other settings - copy all the above settings to your camera
Select "Movie Specification Settings" - Press OK & copy the settings below
Wind Noise Reduction - Deselect with no wind and the best option for wind
The preferred shutter speed while filming is double the frame rate. That's 1/50th for a frame rate of 25 fps. The next step is an ND filter because lower shutter speeds can be problematic in bright light. Fixed shutter speeds with ND filters work well in controlled conditions but are cumbersome in nature or city walks. This complexity is one of the reasons why I don't film more. The next question was, do I need all the things social media experts claim are crucial? For instance, I never needed to film in 4K, do color grading, use VLOG profiles, or collect all the video accessories social media experts promote on social media. What settings are best for family events or filming the dog playing?
These are the camera settings or configuration I prefer today:
Select program or P-Mode. I selectively use an ND filter for more control.
I exclusively use 50 fps (Europe) for smooth panning and slow speed options.
I mainly film in 1080p (FHD) and Super Fine (SF) quality when possible.
I use both IBIS only and IBIS plus digital IS while filming.
The camera applies a cropped sensor section for the digital IS option.
Cropping is not a problem because it's approximately 1.4X digital zoom.
I prefer to tweak the camera's Picture modes or the Color Creator for filming.
I use CAF (continuous AF) for video, and the shutter to start and stop recordings.
The camera uses the center of the display to focus in movie mode (see the marking).
That means you need to keep the subject in the center of the display.
The focus point can be moved by pointing at subjects on the display.
One can also apply face recognition. Study the manual and practice.
In terms of image or movie sharpness, as said filmmaking is not like photography. Don't think of image sharpness when selecting video options, think data. The compression ratio determines how much data the camera records. Keep in mind the camera records 25 or 30 fully sized jpeg images per second.
The data transferred to the SD card is huge. This is why videographers use high-speed SD cards. For example, select F (above image) if you work with an older PC. In terms of SD cards, see the EM5 II specifications listed in the user manual. As long as you stay with 1080p, the EM5 MKII specification is all you will need for all the above Olympus cameras.
The basic setting selected up to this point is to prepare the camera for video recording. With the next step, we will determine the day to day video settings. Select "Movie Mode" on the camera mode dial and press OK. Next, you will see the "Live Control" below. Use the up/down arrows to scroll up or down to the video recording format. To change the video recording format, press "Info", and with the left and right keys to select the different options displayed in the image below.
The above video format is perfect for home video recording. This video format determines:-
The actual file compression rate SF or F (data compression or volume data)
Frame rate (typically 25p for Europe and 30p for the US or cinema is 24p)
Clip Recording Time (If you new to video, start with clips, its easy and works well)
Slow-speed and high-speed recording is great for recording emotion
Check the video format: 1080p and MOV (this should be visible in the selection)
Your camera is now ready for video recording. Similar to the SCP screen, "Live Control" offers quick access to important video settings. With Live Control, you can adjust the frame rate, change the clip recording time, select the recording speed (standard, slow or fast speed), and adjust the compression ratio from F to SF or vice versa. To disable the clips or slow/fast functions, select "Off".
Scroll up or down to activate or deactivate things like the microphone, and Picture Modes. Study the "video recording" screen below and you will see that Olympus added a few more interesting video effects at the bottom of the screen. You will find more on those in the user's manual.
Tip:- When using the camera digital zoom, change to MF. That will prevent the AF from hunting.
General video recording Tips and Techniques
A typical social media video should not be more than 4 minutes. In fact, one of the Instagram video options is only 60 seconds. People's average web attention span is between 2 and 5 minutes. In fact, I was watching a video and the presenter said the attention span is the swipe of a thumb, think of that! One can set the camera clip duration from 1, 2, 4, to 8 seconds. The aim is to record a collection of video clips related to the same storyline. The next step is to combine these clips in a storyline (video) with WorkSpace.
Press the Info button until you see the view below on your camera. Olympus cameras and WorkSpace offer basic "editing" functions. It's important to get the clip right in the camera. The first step is to set the shutter speed, to 1/50 or 1/60 depending on the frame rate (25p/24p or 30p). This is referred to as the 180-degree shutter angle. (Search my favorite videos page information on shutter angle)
With Shutter Priority selected, the camera is now in full Auto mode and will automatically select the aperture and ISO. When outside in sunny conditions, the camera will need higher shutter speeds. The challenge is the shutter speed should stay fixed at 1/50th or 1/60th. This is why we have ND filters. ND filters are used to control the amount of light reaching the sensor (exposure). Use the histogram and adjust the variable ND filter to control the final exposure.
To plan your movie or "walk my dog" report, see the points below:-
Introduction - What can people expect (2 seconds Title or walking shoes & dog)
The story - the story consisting of the different elements described below
The closing - Text like "The End" or a short clip of the dog "resting"
Use the following techniques to build the story:-
Show an overview shot of the event, venue, or situation (slow panning movements)
Find & record detail - zooming in, macro or close up's, focus on subjects or people
Look for emotional moments - slow motion, close up facial shots, and/or animals
Tip:- Some Olympus cameras have a 120fps slow-motion option. Some are 720p and others 1080p. We selected 1080p for his article. That means the 720p options will not be a good fit.
See this interesting article with 7 tips on camera movements.
Additional comments and ideas
Study YouTube videos for ideas on how to move the camera - practice & apply
Configure the camera direction keys to control electric zoom on Oly EZ lenses
Practice using the camera special effects (Picture Modes, Filters, Monochrome)
Practice camera movements, working with/without the Camera Handle and IBIS
Plan ahead, think what the final video/project will look like before recording
Practice controlling available light using LED sources, reflectors, and flashes
Home filmmakers do not really need Log Profiles and/or special flat profiles
As you grow more advanced in editing, then 4K and Log Profiles are great
Color Grading - when starting with video, Auto WB is perfectly OK and safe
Study the Users Manual (P78-83) when it's your first Olympus video project
What you don't need
Running in and out the camera screen to check your camera CAF
4K, 6K, or 8K to create great videos - 1080p or FHD is perfectly OK
The lowest noise, highest DR, and fastest AF or the best EVF
The best sharpest lens on the market - filming is not like photography
Fact is, with practice Olympus cameras will deliver amazing recordings
Panning the camera fast from left and right to test "Rolling Shutter"
The GH1 is a classic and capable of producing great results - selling for +/- $65
Recording video clips and managing them in the camera
Follow the steps below when recording your first video clip:-
Select the camera Movie Mode on the mode dial
Use a storyline to help you identify which clips to record
Fit a fixed or variable ND filter to the lens
Set the shutter speed to 1/50th for 25p/24p or 1/60th for 30p
Adjust the final exposure using the ND filter and check the histogram
Select the "Clip" duration and recording speed
Check IBIS plus digital stabilization for video is "ON" (MS1)
Press the "Red" recording button to start & stop the recording
While recording, you will see a small "clip" timer at the bottom right of the camera screen. When the clip is done the camera will automatically switch to the screen below.
Press the down button and follow the steps below. You can also press the Up button to review the clip. It's better to first go to the step below and review the clip later. The reason is when you review the clip first, you will not have an option to go back to the step below.
The above two images show the current projects and timelines in the camera. The first view you see is the view on the left after pressing the down arrow.
With the view on the left, you can remove clips from the timeline or start new projects. It's possible to work with multiple projects. One can move clips to the left or right on the timeline or up to "Create a New Project". One can also "Remove the Clip". The image on the right shows 2 projects. When done press OK.
Now you ready to record the next clip. Always check the clip recording time and recording speed before recording the next clip. If at any time you like to "edit" (shift clips on the timeline) while in the field, follow the steps below:-
Press the playback button to see the view on the above left. For more menu options press the OK button. This will open the menu on the right. This menu has no option to edit clips. To edit clips you need to press the Menu button to go back to the view on the left. Then turn the camera back dial one-click to the left to see the view below, on the left.
The above images show 3 steps. Follow these steps to edit or rearrange your project timeline. Press the buttons on the views in steps 1 & 2 (see the arrows). This will take you to step 3. In step 3, you select the clip you like to "edit" and press OK. This will take you to the view on the bottom left.
From the menu, select "Rearrange Order" and press OK. This will open the image on the right. Now you can move the clip to the "New" tab. You can also remove the clip. When done press OK. This will take you back to step 3. Select the next clip you like to move and press OK. Continue to apply the same sequence while editing the timeline. When done press the shutter button halfway to go back to video recording mode.
Below is an alternative method to edit the timeline.
To export the final video directly from the camera, press the image review button, and select "Export My Clips". Keep in mind exporting clips directly from the camera takes battery power and it can take a while.
When exporting the video with the camera, you need to check the following:
Clip effects - Select one of six effects
Transitions - Select "Fade" or "None".
BGM - Background Music - the EM5 II has one melody pre-installed
Clip Volume - Adjust the clip playback volume
The short video below was prepared with the EM5 MKII. When I exported the video, I selected no transitions, the Light Tone picture mode, and BGM (Back Ground Music). When uploading the video to YouTube, it is safer to upload the video in MP4 format.
In this project we selected MOV. To change the video format, open the video with Workspace and exported it again as an MP4 file. For more, see further down.
All video clips recorded with the EM5 II and the video was rendered in the EM5
Download clips from the SD card & editing in WorkSpace
Workspace has basic but functional video editing tools for beginners. They are similar to what you will see in advanced editing environments.
Please study the image below.
Workspace offers 4 easy steps to edit and prepare videos:-
Prepare and trim the clips with the Clip Trimming tool (Step 1)
Build the Timeline with the Merge Frames tool (Step 2)
Add external audio or music to your project
Export or render the final video
Follow steps 1 and 2 (see above image). If you need more information on WorkSpace, go to the help menu and download the pdf version of the WorkSpace User Manual. The image below shows how to organize your clips, where to file your "edited" clips, and how to save your final video.
Import the video clips from the SD card to the Video folder and the edited clips to the Projects folder. Give the edited clips descriptive file names and give each clip a "scene" number. When working with many clips it's important to clearly mark each clip. Study the example below.
I did not test the "add audio" or external music function on WorkSpace. Workspace does not have an audio editor. If you like to prepare separate audio files with music and sounds from the clips look for a separate audio editor you can use with your Mobile Phone.
The final step is to export your video. See the image below for more details. I used the MP4 format. When uploading MOV files to YouTube, they will be compressed and the results are not good. The export function (image below) is also a great tool to convert video formats. Open the video in WorkSpace and export it again with the new format.
Congratulations, you completed your first video project. Have fun, produce many videos, and show your grandchildren how it's done on Instagram...
Below is a video my wife recorded with her EM10 MKIII fitted with the 14-150mm. She uses full Auto Mode with no ND filters. She edits her clips in iMovie. This an example of not applying the basic video principles we covered in this article. It also shows that anything is possible.
Video clips recorded with the EM5 II and the video was prepared in WorkSpace
Final Thoughts and Q&A
How does one add Titles in WorkSpace
Olympus Workspace or the camera cannot add text to images or videos. One could prepare the text separately in Powerpoint. The idea is to then film a clip with the title:-
Print the Powerpoint or Keynote page and film a 2s clip of the title
For example:- Record a 2-sec clip of a black screen and then a 2-sec title clip
The timeline will then have a 2-sec black, then the title, and then the video...
You could also film the title clip directly from the PC screen (using a presentation)
On my Mac, I have a screen recorder. (It records what is happening on the screen)
With something like iMovie, text, titles, and openings are all done in iMovie
How to create separate Audio Tracks
Workspace has a basic Audio Editor but it does have the option to add separate audio tracks to the video. If you like to create a music track with a combination of sounds from your clips, try this:-
Play the edited and ready timeline on your PC
Simultaneously play a separate music track on your home stereo
Adjusting the volume on these 2 tracks, use your mobile to record the final audio track
Link the final audio track to your video with WorkSpace
With a different editor like iMovie, this process is all done in iMovie
The above method might look like a strange technique but keep in mind it works. Add a bit of flair and creativity and you will have the necessary tools to create great video projects in WorkSpace.
How should I manage my web presence?
At the moment, much is written about vlogging and video reporting. Many photographers are discovering the power of video and people like to create holiday or event videos.
There are basically two on-line options, one is live streaming and the other is to first build the video from different clips. The first is a live event and for experienced presenters and vloggers. The second is great for storytelling and for those who prefer to control and select their best clips first and then edit a final movie. For those who are starting with a video and those who like to start a web presence, see the steps below:-
Open a Google account which will give you access to YouTube
Go to Google and YouTube Training Center and search for how-to videos
The first step is to upload edited videos to YouTube
From YouTube, share the links with friends and family
Create an Instagram account
Search the web for info, how to prepare images and videos for Instagram
The final step is, be active, comment on others work, and follow people
What is the next step?
This is an open question. The options and variations to this question are endless. Keeping it simple, my advice is the following:
Shoot longer clips to cut/edit shorter clips (from the same recording or clip).
Move to more powerful video editing software, the options are:-
Various iPad options of which one is iMovie
iMovie for Mac is simple and easy to learn plus it's powerful
I used Adobe Premiere Elements for years - great for video editing
I stopped using Premiere Elements because it had a problem with Mac's
I use Apple's Final Cut Pro, a professional video editing package
Davinci from Black Magic is free for personal use and it's easy to learn
Adding monitors, gimbals, microphones, and a camera cage
Join groups or training courses to improve your video editing skills
Join local clubs that do video as a hobby - its great for support
It is important to ask questions before buying new video gear. There are many great toys but chances are you will never use them.
