Info:- The Pen F, E-P7, and the OM-3 adjust both targeted and global colors. Other brands (LUTs) make global adjustments.

Mar 17, 2024

Advanced Exposure Techniques and Workspace

Last updated:- 17th March 2024

Introduction

I lost my left arm in a motorcar accident and have been on pain medication ever since. It's difficult to say which is worse, losing my left arm or the opioid-based pain medication. My wife and I worked hard to reduce my pain medication, and we reached the point of cutting it completely. Those who followed my blog know how it benefitted me personally and my ability to write better articles.

I bought my first digital camera in 1998, which also started my craving for that perfect digital camera promoted by camera reviewers and social media experts. Breaking free from commercially biased theories, repetition, and the collective social media influence is similar to walking away from addictive medication. I can write a book about these processes and the similarities...


Olympus EM5 II with 25mm f1.4 Leica - ISO800, f3.2, 1/25 - Enhanced Raw File converted in WS. I used my ISO to control the highlights.

I use a simple strategy or rule when studying technical info. I reject any "interesting" information that does not improve my photography. My understanding and articles about digital cameras focus on information that improves the average photographer's image quality. My regular readers appreciate the benefits of marketing free camera knowledge. This is an ongoing learning experience...

The technical aspects of cameras interest me the most. My wife and I enjoy taking photos and using them in different projects. We love photography and regard ourselves as hobby photographers.


Fuji FinePix A201 (2MP) compact camera. ISO100, f4.5, 1/45 seconds. Slightly edited in Photoshop.

My focus in 2024 and onward...

The challenge of learning and growing the MyOlympuOMD blog impacted my recovery positively. I will continue to develop the blog and plan to focus on used Olympus cameras while we are waiting for a real OM-System camera. This includes exploring unique cameras like the Fuji XT-5, the Sony ZV-E1, the Panasonic GM-1, and the EP-7. I also plan to create more YouTube videos in 2024. 

My focus will be the following subjects for this blog and YouTube:

  • Videography with basic principles, casual videos, and documentaries
  • Digital camera knowledge and techniques improving our photography
  • OM Workspace, the Enhanced Raw Format, and general photo editing
  • I am planning to write informative articles on older Olympus cameras

My first two videos for 2024

I uploaded 2 YouTube videos over the past 8 days. They give an overview of my articles on exposure and Workspace and will benefit those who prefer watching a video. I will create shorter videos in the future that will focus on specifics. I am working on my sound quality and will have a solution for my next video. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and post your thoughts in the comments.




Mar 11, 2024

Did you questioned the power of marketing...

Last Updated:- 11th March 2024

My wife showed me the following meme over breakfast. I enjoy the blog and the subjects we cover. I am also grateful for all the comments and emails. My blog views averaged record highs in 2024, and this year is a surprising WOW. Thank you all. I have no reason to complain. So why the notion to walk away from this blog? My wife and I received news about a healthy young mother having a sudden stroke. We saw what was coming in 2021/22 and said no, while many accepted everything without questions. I have a good feel for marketing and the power of repetition. I also studied various papers about mass formation (hypnosis) and how people are eased into absurdity. The urge to walk away surges each time I see YouTube presenters repeating the same digital camera lines...


Paper straws or bags are part of an ongoing market survey. Why, many would say? How much does it take to survey large samples of the population? A short documentary is enough to highlight the plastic crisis in the ocean. Marketers know the population trusts their social media or TV talking heads when they accept absurdity. Self-appointed enforcers are also critical when measuring these surveys..?

Feb 10, 2024

A new OM-System Pen F II

Last Update:- 20th October 2024

Introduction.

I invite all Olympus photographers who enjoy Creative Color, and Monochrome profiles to come and dream with me about a future OM-System Pen F II. I discussed my preliminary reasons for a real OM-System camera in my OM-1 II overview. OMS has a unique opportunity to follow the visionary design achievements of Olympus while designing the Pen F II and a new User Interface. The user interface of cameras stagnated in the past 12 years because manufacturers focussed on the analog feel of digital cameras. We mainly saw higher-resolution flippy displays with new and different menu displays.

Imagine digital photographers using cameras with flippy displays and basic Aperture, Shutter, and ISO display data. Imagine digital photographers using the analog Exposure Triangle and treating digital camera sensors like old film cameras. Imagine this is the status quo in 2024 because photographers are told sensor size is everything and they should only rely on the "best" Sony image sensors.


The Olympus SCP was a great idea from the 4/3 DSLR days. Picture source.

Have you ever wondered why reviewers rejected the Olympus Pen F when it was launched in 2016? One of the many "size and capture" myths is large sensors produce better image quality with more colors. Global marketing departments pushed back when Olympus gave Pen F users more access to the TruePic ART Processor's data while tweaking their JPEG Colors with the new Creative Dial.

The Olympus Pen F continues to be a popular street photographer camera with its rangefinder styling, form factor, compact lenses, and MonoChrome plus Color Profile features. Many M43 photographers never tried Workspace to create personalized monochrome and color profiles because they were told it was "not good enough." This is the sad reality after continued counter-marketing programs?



It's fascinating that camera manufacturers never used sensor and CPU data to give us more options like calculated hyperfocal distances, Aperture plus Shutter effects, focus stacking, and fill-in flash info on the camera's display. Modern motorcars are great examples of using available processed data to enhance the driving experience. For example, how often do we increase our ISO without knowing it's possible to drop the ISO with 1EV when changing the focus and exposure combinations? 



The Pen F II user interface should display more processed data from the sensor and TruePic Processor. Please design a new user interface with a Sensor Performance Meter and more advanced features, like hyperfocal focus distances and a DOF meter. Focus on giving the photographer control while using the camera. Study this article for more about the next generation of OM-System cameras.

The Sensor Performance Meter is based on the following:-

  • Keep the Aperture, Shutter, and ISO displays but add more sensor control.
  • All image sensors have a Noise Floor. This is a common technical limitation.
  • We control the image signal SNR and the visibility of the sensor's noise floor.
  • Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO are part of the Exposure Formula, BUT:
    • The Aperture and Shutter control the light to (exposing) the sensor.
    • The ISO amplifies the image signal. Sensor sensitivity is factory set. 
  • Sensor Saturation and IQ improve with more Reflected Light on the sensor.
  • The reverse happens (more visible noise) when the sensor receives less light.
  • The camera's Auto Exposure (default) settings focus on Good Image Quality.
  • The synergy between Enhanced Raw Files, OMS cameras, and WS is critical.

Study this article for a detailed explanation of the DxO "Good Image Quality" ratings.

Study this article for more info on exposure and how to use ISO "Image Brightness."



Olympus photographers will benefit from a new Sensor Performance Meter because it will improve the understanding of sensor saturation and image noise. It will also help OM-System establish trust with M43 photographers by proactively managing the "sensor size" and AF cycle after every new M43 camera launch. See my OM-System OM-1 II overview for more about a new OMS camera...

How do Sensor Saturation and SNR "exposure" data benefit us? Because it's possible to manage the sensor's performance separately from the ISO. It lets us think differently about the ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed. It opens new opportunities, like using a saturated sensor at a lower ISO (image brightness) to control the highlights. We can correct our image brightness in Workspace because a saturated sensor allows us to lower the ISO and re-adjust it with the Workspace EC slider. This is why the Sensor Performance Meter has an A/B display option. See this article for more...




What more could we expect from a new OM-System Pen F II?

The quality of the new Pen F II should mirror the current model. It should have a high-sensitivity 24MP (Live MOS) BSI sensor with a smaller noise floor and an advanced User Interface. The target segment is street, family, travel, event, and hobby photographers. The focus should be creative computational features. The AF system should be a clever derivative of the EM1 III (EM1X) AF technology.

The focus should be creativity, flexibility, IQ, profiles, and a Workspace App for tablets and Mobiles. Please study the needs of your target segment for new computational and creative features.



Here are some additional suggestions for a new Pen F II:-

  • Go back to high-quality metal camera bodies. Pls not like the Pen EP-7.
  • New Hue and Luminance options for the camera's Color Adjust function.
  • Add new Clarity and Dehaze sliders (Workspace) to the camera's menu.
  • Create a function to copy and paste color information from Workspace.
  • Rethink the ISO function by improving its link to the Workspace EC slider.
  • This camera should have a high-res EVF and display with advanced features.
  • The new Sensor Performance Meter simplifies sensor Saturation and SNR.
  • A graphical DOF slider and new AF options to optimize aperture selections.
  • Flexible Tonal Profiles with new options to tweak the Tonal Response Curve.
  • If a brand thing, focus on the following AI "application" features:-
    • Landscape DOF automation (AI) plus control.
    • Unique AI features for street photographers.
    • People, family events, and children AI features.
    • I am no macro guy. Do they have any AI ideas..?
    • Focus AI on applications and NOT image processing or autofocusing.
  • ANY new TruePic image processors should NEVER use AI to process images.
  • Build new creative communities to discuss and share info and color profiles.
  • The focus should be flexibility, image quality, color, and wifi communication.
  • 8EV IBIS, more Multi-Aspect Ratios, and quick handheld 50MP High Ress.
  • The TruePic IX or X image processor with a vertical social media video option. 
  • Design selective improvements for the Workspace video editing function.
  • Add a basic Photoshop Layers function to Workspace with Blending Modes.
  • The video capabilities of this camera should be tailored to the target segment.
  • This is NOT a high-speed Pro Camera for bird and wildlife photographers.
  • This shouldn't be another hybrid camera. Make it a photo camera with video...
  • The simplicity of the Pen EP-7 is perfect. We need only need more features...
  • Label this new OM-System camera a Pen-F II to excel in its growth potential...

Why don't "size and capture" promoters accept this illustration? This information counters the "sensor does everything" myth...

Conclusion


Every digital photographer should get the opportunity to learn more about digital cameras, especially the link between Image Sensors, Saturation, SNR, Exposure formula, and ISO amplification. In fact, it's disappointing to see YouTube presenters using the old Analog Exposure Triangle as a tool for planning and adjusting the digital camera's Optical, Exposure, and ISO adjustments. I can't help but question the seriousness of people ignoring the unique benefits of having advanced digital cameras...


A helicopter overview of the Image Signal Path, Exposure Controller, and Workspace. Study this link.

Do you know about the ongoing "grassroots" and social media action against DxOMark? I studied their image quality database while prepping for a recent article. DxO is receiving overwhelmingly biased reactions from "size and capture" promoters. Why the bias? Because DxO does not support or promote the "size and capture" theory like many camera review websites. How do I know that? Study how DxO explains image noise and SNR. This could be why there is no data on newer Olympus/OM-System cameras? My only interest in DxOMark is their IQ database. The last Olympus camera they tested was the Olympus EM1 II. It would be great to have more Olympus cameras tested...

Best

Siegfried

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