Olympus Pen-F Color and Monochrome Profiles

Last Update: 30th March 2025

The Pen F was the first M43 camera with the Olympus Creative Color, Computational, and Enhanced Raw format (ORF+) package. The Enhanced Raw Format is unique as it lets us review and edit our camera settings in Workspace. The Pen F, E-P7, and OM System OM-3 are the only cameras with advanced Monochrome and Color profile functions targeting specific colors. These cameras can edit or create global color effects, or target specific colors. Let's explore the Pen-F and the Creative Dial and why this is an interesting solution for artists and creative photographers.

Olympus differentiated itself with solutions like IBIS and the digital M43 sensor format. The Creative Dial and full Creative Color package are unique Pen F differentiators. Most M43 photographers thought it was another Color Profile (LUT) option when Olympus introduced the Pen F and the Creative Dial. Although not entirely wrong, the user manuals revealed more. The Creative Dial accesses different Creative Color features like the Color Creator, Color/Monochrome Profiles, and ART Filters.

Also, see Part 6 of my series on Creative Color photography.

These images were part of the ad campaign introducing the Pen F as a definition of style and substance in 2016

Each photography style like landscape, wildlife, or sport is unique, Creative photographers and artists use familiar objects, natural light, and contrasts to create day-to-day life and street art. The Pen-F is a flexible street and rangefinder-style camera that became popular after a slow start in 2016. The demand for used Pen F and E-P7 cameras didn't change much in 2025 as collectors and artists value their Creative Color features. Pen F owners also prefer high-quality cameras, controls on the right, and the optional handgrip. It would be interesting to follow the new OM-3 in this space.

The Enhanced Raw Format is perfect for the Pen F as it replicates the camera settings in Workspace. We can now edit our camera settings and monitor the changes because the camera's final Live View display is available on our Workspace PCs. For instance, I improved my Color Creator, Adjust Color, and Monochrome skills with Workspace. This unique integration became a game changer.

Study this article for more about Workspace and the Enhanced Raw Format.

What is different between Adjust Color and Color Profiles? The Adjust Color function of Workspace is called Color Profiles in the Pen-F. The Adjust Color (Color Profile) function targets one of 12 colors and adjusts its saturation for the Pen-F versus saturation, luminance, and hue for Workspace. We can also select all 12 colors and increase/decrease the saturation, luminance, and hue.

Here is a short summary from ChatGPT. "The Olympus systems—including the Pen F, E-P7, and the OM-3 are indeed unique with a dual-tiered approach. They separate global color adjustments from targeted color controls, enabling precise manipulation of specific color ranges while also applying broader image-wide settings. This design is a distinct departure from most other camera systems, which typically offer only global adjustments via LUTs or film simulations. It’s a feature that really sets Olympus (now OM System) apart in its workflow and creative flexibility."

What is a Color Profile (Custom Preset) in the Olympus world? With their ability to target specific and global colors, Olympus cameras have the most advanced color control compared to other brands. Another advanced aspect of Olympus Color Profiles is saving the complete camera configuration. That means 3 SCP Color or Monochrome Profiles (separate profiles) are saved to a Custom Preset C1, 2, 3, or 4 at a time. The Creative Dial has to be in Color or Mono mode when saving to, or selecting any of the C1 to 4 presets. For example, one could have the "same" Color Profile saved in C1 and C2, with C1 configured for SAF (Single AF) and C2 for CAF applications.

This was the launch video of the Pen-F (Interesting - less than 5 minutes)

How do I use Custom Presets after 8 years with the Pen F? I never used C1 and C2 and configured C3/4 for Photo Story and SCN modes. I use the 3 SCP profiles as needed. For example, Profile 1 is my clipboard, and Profile 2 and 3 might be my 1020 and Kodak 64 Profiles on any specific day.

The Pen F had five firmware updates: details below:-

• Olympus added a "Bleach Bypass " ART filter to the Pen F
• Custom settings C1 to 4 are saved with the camera configuration
• This makes it possible to share Pen F configurations with friends
• The ability to extract color and monochrome profiles from JPEG images
• You can now share color or monochrome profiles by sharing a JPEG file
• Shading effects have been added to the Adjust Color and the Color Creator
• The ISO auto settings have been expanded and are the same as the EM1 II
• They improved the operability of the AF Targeting Pad (camera display)
• ART filter selection and the touch function operation have been improved
• The current firmware version of the Pen F is V3.1

Creative Color summary. Pen F User Manual (V3.1) and page #:-

• Page 38 - Basics about the Creative Dial operation
• Page 39 - The Adjust Color function and SCP Profiles 1 - 3
• Page 40 - The Monochrome Profile function and SCP Profiles 1 - 3
• Page 66 - SCP Monochrome Profiles Grain filter
• Page 41 - The Color Creator function
• Page 42 - Art Filters
• Page 67 - Tonal Adjustments (Shadows, Mid Tones, Highlights)
• Page 67 - Monochrome Picture Mode - Color filter selection
• Page 64, 65 - Sharpness, Contrast, and Saturation adjustments
• Page 116 - Assigning Photo Story to C3 and SCN Modes to C4
• Page 116, 117 - How to use Photo Story (Newer cameras do not have this function)
• Page 118 - More about SCN Modes - Handheld Starlight, e-Portrait, and other
• Page 33 - 44, 88 - How to use Creative Color functions. How to set Custom Modes
• Page 179 - 182 - A summary plus how to use the V2 & V3 Firmware updates

Olympus E-P5 with the Lumix 20mm f1.7 lens. ISO200, f5.0, 1/1250. I converted the Enhanced Raw File and re-edited the jpeg in Workspace.

Configuring your Olympus Pen F

My focus was Color Profiles when I wrote the original article in 2020. Over the past 5 years, my focus changed from Color Profiles to making Creative Color adjustments while photographing. Everyone's personal preference or photography style determines their focus or photography style. Some like the look of traditional film roles (Color Profiles) and others create beautiful photos in Photoshop. One is universal profiles like LUTs and the other is tailored adjustments for specific scenes.

The Pen F is always ready for that next inspirational or creative moment. It might be a sunset, a city scene, a family event, or walking your dog. What is the first thing you do when spotting a photo? Do you consider framing options, foreground objects, and leading lines, or do you study the light (paint with light), colors, color harmonies, targeted/global colors, and post-processing options?

A = Creative Dial / B = Mode Dial (Custom Modes) / C = Lever

The Pen-F Mode Dial differs from the EM5 II, the EPL9, or the EM1 II. For example, the Pen-F has no Photo Story or SCN Modes on the Mode Dial. You must reconfigure Custom Presets C3 and C4 to Photo Story and SCN Modes. See the above user manual info and summary. That leaves C1 and C2 for camera configurations or unique color and monochrome profiles. That means you can have 9 color and 6 monochrome profiles as Custom Presets (C1 and C2 plus the 3 Profiles in the SCP).

Tip:- Custom Presets (Color Profiles) are more than Adjust Color or other Creative Color options. The complete camera or Workspace configuration is saved as a Custom Preset or Batch-Processing file. This means specific Adjust Color settings, tonal adjustments, and other camera settings. For example, I use C1 for 3 color profiles and C2 as a backup for my normal camera configuration.

Olympus Pen F with the G Vario 12 - 60mm f3.5 - 5.6 lens with ND filter (right). I converted the Enhanced Raw Files in Workspace.

The Pen F and E-P7 are very different cameras. Except for some performance differences, the Pen F and EM1 II have more in common. The Pen E-P7 is a minimalistic camera for excellent Creative Color control while photographing. Considering these three cameras, one can summarize Olympus' Creative Color and Computational features as follows:-

1. Global and targeted colors (Color Creator, Color and Monochrome profiles, WB)
2. Tonal (Gamma) profile (Gradation, highlights, mid-tones, shadows, Tone Curve)
3. Unique photo filters and adjustable effects with Olympus' ART filters and Photoshop
4. Old school Picture modes like Natural, Vivid, Monotone, Color Filters, and Grain
5. Traditional image adjustments like contrast, saturation, sharpening, clarity, and dehaze
6. Unique creative features like Photo Story, SCN modes, HDR, Multiple Exposures
7. Computational (Live Composite, Live Time, High Ress, Focus Stacking,  Live ND)
8. The TruePic Image Processor, Enhanced Raw Format, and Workspace integration

Most functions listed in points 1, 3, and 6 have more options such as tonal adjustments, grain options, color filters, framing, and shading options.

The Color Profile (Adjust Color) Tool

A = You can select 1 of 3 factory set Profiles (Profile 1 is neutral)

Olympus describes the above SCP Color Profiles as:

"Of the three presets, Profile 2: Chrome Film Rich Color has rich, deep tones, and Profile 3: Chrome Film VS gives rich film colors with more saturation. You can adjust these two presets, or create your own profiles from scratch using the Color Profile 1 preset."

The Super Control Panel (SCP) Profile 1 option is an interesting "clipboard" while photographing. SCP Profiles 2 and 3 are factory presets. I often use the 3 SCP profiles as placeholders while photographing nature, city scenes, or family events. For example, I will have 2 or 3 unique monochrome or color profiles while photographing. The 3 SCP profiles help me to quickly change profiles.

The following camera variables are included in Color Profiles:

• All the camera settings like Picture mode, SAF or CAF, IBIS, and more
• The Color Profile tool with 12 different color and saturation selections
• Tonal Adjustments like Highlight/Shadow & Midtone and Gradation
• SCP settings like sharpness, contrast, and saturation adjustments
• Exposure Mode, Exposure compensation (Pen F Exposure Comp dial)
• Experiment by saving different camera configurations in C1 and C2

Olympus Pen E-P7 with the M.Zuiko 17mm f2.8 lens. I converted/edited the Enhanced Raw File in Workspace.

For example, practice your color awareness with the following:-

• Practice scanning your surroundings, identifying colors, and color harmonies
• When paging through a magazine identify the main colors and the color harmonies
• Be aware of the people's clothes (colors) by checking color selection and harmonies
• Practice using different color harmonies (Complementary, Analogous, and Opposite)
• In time you will find your color awareness and harmony considerations will improve

Advanced Monochrome Profiles

A = Monochrome Profiles / B = Grain filter setting or selection

Olympus describes the above monochrome profile presets as:

"Of the three monochrome profile presets, Monochrome Profile 2: Classic Film B&W provides a grainy monochrome look, and Monochrome Profile 3: Classic Film IR emphasizes red color filter effects for the look of infrared film. You can adjust these two presets, or create your own monochrome profile from scratch using the Monochrome Profile 1 preset."

Pen F with M.Zuiko 12mm f2.0 lens. I converted/edited the ORF+ file in Workspace.

The Pen F and E-P7 have two monochrome options. One is the advanced monochrome profile option and the other is the Monotone Picture Mode. Both are great B&W or monochrome options. Traditional film photographers had color filters on the front of the lens. The Monochrome Profile option has 27 old-school color filters. In my experience, it's good to start with opposite colors, unique lighting conditions, and contrasts. Practice is critical because each monochrome photo is special.

Original image on the left and the Monochrome profile using a yellow base color on the right

Again the original image was done with a color profile, then a monochrome profile, and monochrome with a base color.

Pen E-P7 with 12mm f2.0 - ISO100, f5.6, 1/250. (MonoChrome Profile plus a little Photoshop)

How does one create/manage and share color or monochrome profiles?

See my how-to page here and technique #8 for a description of how to manage profiles. Olympus added a new gallery with color and monochrome images by Olympus visionaries. Each image can be downloaded to study the Exif data in Workspace. Each image also has additional information about the profile. This is a great source for Pen F photographers looking for ideas and inspiration. You can now lift any color or monochrome profiles with WorkSpace and transfer them to your Pen-F. You can also open the image and Exif data in WorkSpace, and manually transfer the settings to your Pen F.

Folks, I never copied a profile from an image, saved my camera settings in Workspace, or shared custom settings (profiles) with someone, in the 8 years I have owned my Pen F. I did learn how to work with color and how to apply that knowledge with my Pen F, E-P7, and Workspace.

I don't know if any of them are visionaries for OM-System (March 25 edited)

Part of Olympus' previous Pen F color and monochrome profile image collection.

An example of the available information for each image in the gallery

A more advanced technique for developing profiles is described in this article.

For example, use color cards to copy or create personalized profiles. I made a series of color cards with DXO film profiles. Each image represents another DXO film profile. This is a more advanced option and requires lots of patience and practice. These color cards also help photographers develop a good feel for color and learn how others create profiles.

Visit my Pen F Profile page.

Olympus Pen E-P7 with the M.Zuiko 17mm f1.8 lens. The key to Monochrome Profiles is light (painting with light) and color.

Live Composite

See this link for 7 interesting TIPS on how to use the Live Composite function.

Photo Story