I have been having this question for weeks. I have a few older E-Series Olympus cameras and I thought why not? I read newer M43 models do not use these famous Olympus colors, they have been toned down with more neutral color profiles. I guess the question is, are they really different?
General notes or comments:-
Below you see the 4 different E-Series cameras with an image taken with the listed cameras. What do you think, is it possible to build a traditional "Olympus Color Profile" for my Pen F?
I will not be able to test the final profiles at the moment because we have boring winter weather, and you need rich colors. This final testing for the profile might take a bit...
Does any of you have one of these E-series cameras plus a Pen F and are willing to try beta profiles...?
Are you ready for a challenge to develop your own "Olympus Color Profile," let me know...
I had an E1 but sold it. The E1 does have a unique JPEG look when you study the images. You can easily use the E1 jpeg straight out of the camera.
Do you think there is a difference between the cameras having a Kodak CCD sensor and the newer models with CMOS sensors?
Some say there is a difference between the Kodak and CMOS sensors. Must say when I study the images I have from my E400 (10MP Kodak CCD), then I find the jpegs are really good. Interesting, the E400 was never really popular?
I have an idea for how I will prepare the color checker images to have a muster I can work from. I will do a short video explaining how I do the profile and color checker images soon...
For anyone interested see this interesting discussion on Flickr about the E5 and others...
Here are the 1st images you can study. I obviously have to do more work on my lighting, the jump from RC on my Pen F to the slave flash mode on the E330, E400, and E500 did not work so well. Still, the colors seem really interesting...
14th September update: I have been working on, and testing my new E-Series color profile. It's basically done and I am happy with the result. See the brief description below.
We are discussing general and advanced exposure techniques in this short article. For example, do you prefer your camera's exposure settings, or would you typically optimize these exposure settings with the histogram? This means one would use ETTR or shift the histogram to the right to improve the Saturation and SNR levels of the image sensor.
We are reviewing the high-dynamic-range ( HDR) feature of the Olympus Pen and OM-D series and how it improves shadow details. The camera's HDR function takes 3 to 5 bracketed exposures and converts them into one HDR image. Image bracketing can improve Shadow Details, Tonal Data, Dynamic Range, and any visible Image Noise. These benefits are available with the Olympus EM5 II/III, Pen F, EM1 II/III, and the OM-1 in high-resolution mode.
Olympus EM5 II with 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ lens - ISO1600, f6.3, 1/80 - 40MP high-Res image edited in Photoshop.
Another way of improving your IQ is the Photoshop Merge to HDR Pro function. It combines 2 or more bracketed exposures into one high-detail 32-bit photo. This technique works well for landscape and product photos. The benefits are similar to HDR or the Olympus Hi-Res mode.
The Photoshop Merge to HDR Pro function also creates traditional HDR images. Follow the image descriptions for an example of combining 3 bracketed images into an HDR image.
How to create High-Detail 32-bit images in Photoshop
I selected 3 bracketed images from my photo collection to try the Photoshop HDR Pro technique. I used Adobe Bridge to open the 3 images in the HDR Pro. The high-detail 32-bit option is one of several options. The typical HDR look is something of the past with this function.
The above image consists of 3 bracketed images taken with my Canon 350D in 2004.
Study the 3 Canon 350D histograms. Nobody talked about sensor performance or optimizing the image sensor when I captured these 3 bracketed images. I knew nothing about sensor saturation or SNR. I simply followed forums and photography magazines when taking the 3 images.
The histograms below show the base exposure was good. The 350D did a great job of exposing the initial image correctly. It helps to use your camera frequently and create opportunities and projects to practice these and other photography techniques for your Olympus cameras.
Three Bracketed Exposures
Under Exposed Default Exposure Over Exposed
High Dynamic Range (HDR) images
What default exposure should one use for High-Detail or HDR sequences? The principle of merging bracketed images into one image helps the HDR software to select the best data from each stacked image and combine them into one HDR image. One typically uses +/-1EV steps to create HDR photos. The default exposure should maximize the tonal data for each bracketed exposure.
Another interesting method is Exposure Blending. See this function in Photoshop. It puts 3 bracketed images into separate layers with a mask highlighting the best data at each layer. This lets us see which parts of the bracketed images should go to the final HDR version. The photographer can tweak these separate masks to focus on specifics like image data, noise, and shadow details.
Experiment and practice with your camera's exposure settings and histogram until you find the best exposure technique that complements your photography style. The presenter of the above video used 2 bracketed images to explain the "Merge to HDR Pro" function in Photoshop.
I used my EM5 II and the Photoshop "Merge to HDR Pro" function to create this HDR image from three +/- 1EV exposures.
What about the HDR function in Olympus cameras?
The Olympus HDR function is one of the most underrated Olympus features. It is available for most Olympus cameras and can be adjusted in the Shooting 2 Menu. The secret is to use Manual Exposure Mode with the Olympus HDR function and not one of the Auto or Semi-Auto (A or S) Modes.
Select the camera's HDR1 or HDR2 function and set the default exposure for optimal tonal data. The camera will automatically use ISO200. That means you will need a tripod in low-light conditions. The base or starting exposure determines whether your focus is shadow or highlight details. Use ETTR to increase the tonal data for the shadows or reduce the exposure in bright conditions.
Olympus EM5 II with 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ lens - ISO1600, f8.0, 1/250, -0.7EC - 40MP high-Res image edited in WS & Photoshop.
Conclusion
This article showed different ways of exposing an image. We know the importance of saturating the sensor and discussed alternative ways of planning the exposure of your image. Knowledge is as critical because it enables us to benefit from the camera and image editor's full functionality.
Why does the camera's HDR function need a bracketed sequence? Because the shutter and aperture project a uniform exposure onto the sensor. Study my previous articles for more info...
Olympus E-M5 II with 12-45mm f4 Pro lens - 40MP high res image.
Why should one ignore those who criticize the High-resolution function? Experienced photographers plan for movements like people or wind when taking several bracketed images. Typical bracketing examples are focus bracketing, exposure bracketing (HDR), and high-resolution imaging.
In this article, we will take a look at the different Color and Creative Photography features available with the Olympus Pen F. I will also discuss the new functions Olympus added to the Monochrome, the Color Profile, and the Color Creator functions with the latest V3 firmware upgrade. We will study the Pen-F integration with WorkSpace and how one can share and upload profiles. We will discuss how to create and change profiles and finally, we will have a look at the new Pen F gallery on the official Olympus website.
These images were part of the ad campaign introducing the Pen F as a definition of style and substance in 2016
The Pen-F is one of the most radical and elegant mirrorless cameras ever designed. That said, it was received amidst "unexpected" hostility as most reviewers and forum experts immediately complained about the menu, and then demanded an OMD type "Pen F". These M43 experts also rejected the Pen F, claiming the Creative Dial had no real purpose, it's in the wrong location, and the Creative Dial and ART Filters have no place in modern digital photography.
Search "Pen F" on the DPReview and the Mu-43 forums and you will be blown away by the negative reactions and the gossip from Olympus and M43 photographers. The most surprising was that none of these "experts" figured out that Olympus was really in the process of introducing a completely new and future Color and Creative Photography concept.
We also saw how the Pen F enabled street photographers and how they welcomed the EVF placement. The unique MonoChrome and Color features made the Pen F special and one of a kind. They could simply select from a list of up to 32 different Color and Monochrome Profiles without having to spend the time on location to select individual camera settings.
Something I discuss in my WorkSpace "how-to" article, is the unique Live View feature of WorkSpace. This feature enables photographers to develop their Color and Monochrome Profiles on any WorkSpace "Live View" display. Photographers can now develop and test their new profiles before entering them into the Pen F. Also see Part 6 in my Color and Creative Photography series.
See this launch video of the Pen-F (less than 5 minutes)
Street Photography with the Olympus Pen-F
The interesting Pen-F video with the POV Photo Guy (Highly Recommended)
The Pen F had two firmware updates, see the details below:-
Olympus added the "Bleech Bypass film" ART filter to the Pen F
Custom settings C1 to C4 are now included when saving the camera configuration
This makes it possible to share Pen F configurations with C1 to C4 with friends
The ability to extract color and monochrome profiles from jpeg images
You can now share color or monochrome profiles by sharing your jpeg files
Shading effects have been added to the color profile and the color creator
The ISO auto settings have been expanded and are the same as the EM1 II
The monitor AF Targetting Pad performance has been improved
ART filter selection and the touch function operation have been improved
Below is the User Manual (V3.1) page #, and the related creative Pen F functions:-
Page 38 - Creative Dial operation
Page 39 - The Color Profile Tool
Page 40 - Monochrome Profile Control
Page 66 - Monochrome Profile Grain filter
Page 41 - The Color Creator
Page 42 - Art Filters
Page 67 - Color filter effects to the Monochrome Picture Mode
Page 116 - Assigning photo story to C3 and SCN modes to C4
Page 116 - Photo Story
Page 118 - SCN Modes
Page 33, 88 - How to set up Custom Modes
Page 179 - 182 - A summary of the Firmware updates V2 & V3
I wrote a 6 part color and creative photography series. Please go see parts 3 & 6 if you are new to the color wheel, color harmonies, and how to work with color and your Olympus camera. Also, see my article on how to use the Color Creator.
Setting up the Pen F to its full creative flexibility?
Your Pen F should always be ready for maximum creative use. It's really a mistake to wish the Pen F was some kind of OMD camera. For example, camera manufacturers will carefully select the image sensor for each camera to match the camera concept. This is why Olympus selected a different image sensor for the Pen F and not the same sensor found in the EM1 II. The EM1 II was designed for high performance and speed, whereas the Pen F was designed for street photography and ultimate creativity. The EM1 II and the Pen F are completely different cameras and together they cover a wide range of photography applications.
A = Creative Dial / B = Mode Dial (Custom Modes) / C = Lever
The Mode Dial on the Pen F is different from the EM5 II, the EPL9, or the EM1 II. For example, you will not find Photo Story or SCN Modes on the Pen F. You need to first configure the Custom Modes C3 and C4 for Photo Story and SCN Modes before you can use these features on the Pen F. See the above user manual summary and the relevant pages in the user manual. That leaves C1 and C2 open to save your preferred camera configurations and any additional color and monochrome profiles. This enables you to save up to 9 additional colors and 9 additional monochrome profiles.
Tip:-If you like to save new color or monochrome profiles to the custom modes C1 and C2, start by selecting your preferred exposure mode like Aperture Mode (A-Mode). Now you can configure the Pen F as you like, plus the 3 Color or the 3 MonoChrome Profiles. When done save the configuration to C1 or C2. It is not possible to save a new configuration directly to C1 or C2.
The Olympus Pen-F main creative modes?
It's sometimes difficult to picture the complete creative magnitude of Olympus cameras and especially, the Pen F. The reason is the different creative features and options are linked to more than one function. For example, looking at ART filters you might say no they are not that interesting.
It's only when you select ART filters that you see that each ART filter has several more options. Some of these options you will also see when you work with the Color or Monochrome Profile. You could be in a situation where you quickly want to record a series of images with Photo-Story. You do not want to edit the Photo-Story images when back home, so you decide to use a Pop ART filter with Photo-Story. As you can see these cameras are truly creative masterpieces.
One can summarize the Pen-F creative modes in 6 groups:-
The Color Creator
The Color Profile (One can save up to 9 profiles in C1 & C2)
The Monochrome Profile (One can save 9 profiles in C1 & C2)
Monotone "Picture Mode" (different from the monochrome profile)
ART Filters, SCN Modes, Photo Story, and HDR
Live Composite, Live Time, Panorama, Stacking, Timelapse
Each of these creative groups has access to more options like curves, grain filters, color filters, and shading to assist the photographer to create the perfect image look and feel in the camera.
The Color Profile Tool
A = You can select 1 of 3 factory set Profiles (Profile 1 is neutral)
Olympus describes the above color profile presets as:
"Of the three color profile presets, Colour Profile 2: Chrome Film Rich Colour provides rich, deep tones, and Colour Profile 3: Chrome Film VS gives rich film colors with high levels of saturation. You can make adjustments to these two presets, or you can create your own color profile from scratch using the Colour Profile 1 preset."
The first color profile (Profile 1) is neutral and available to the user. Profiles 2 & 3 are factory preset color profiles. If you assigned your preferred camera configuration to custom modes C1 and C2, you have 6 (3+3) more options for saving your own profiles. Set up your different color profiles for C1 and C2 and you will have a total of 8 preset color profiles and profile 1 for unique situations. I keep a summary of all my profiles on my mobile phone with a brief description of each profile.
The following variables are included and saved with color profiles:
Color Profile tool with 12 different color selection
The Shading function
The Highlight/Shadow & Midtone function (Curves)
Sharpness and contrast settings (See the SCP)
Exposure compensation (Exposure Comp dial on the Pen F)
These are the main settings when creating your own color profiles. Keep profile 1 at the factory setting so that you can quickly adapt colors when out doing photography. Save your own or any shared profiles in the Picture Modes C1 and C2 (6x Profiles in total). Always practice your color awareness.
For example, practice your color awareness by doing the following:-
Practice scanning your surroundings, identify colors and build color harmonies
When paging through a magazine identify the main colors and the color harmonies
Be aware of the people's clothes (colors) and check their selection of colors
Practice using different color harmonies (Complementary, Analogous, and Triadic)
In time you will find your color awareness and creating harmonies will improve
See this interesting photographer and his article on working with color - link
With practice, it will become second nature to scan your surroundings, select colors, and build harmonies. Adjust your target colors with profile 1 using the Color Profil. The more you do this the easier it gets. The secret is to apply small adjustments at a time. In most cases, subtle chances are more effective than extreme color effects.
For example, you are out visiting a historic city with the family. Your partner is dressed in a bright yellow shirt with jeans. The sky is clear so you decide to focus on the complementary colors yellow and blue. You like these colors to stand out with the blue skies above the buildings. Highlighting these complementary colors, you can increase the vividness of yellow and blue with +2. Next, you will reduce the vividness of all the other colors with -2. Next, you will increase the contrast with the curves function, and in the final step, you can create a slight pinhole look with the shading function.
Monochrome Profile
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 make adjustments to these two presets, or you can create your own monochrome profile from scratch using the Monochrome Profile 1 preset."
The first Monochrome Profile (Profile 1) is neutral and available to the user. Profiles 2 and 3 are factory preset monochrome profiles. If you assigned your preferred camera configuration to custom modes C1 and C2 you have 6 (3+3) more options for saving your own profiles. Set up your different monochrome profiles for C1 & C2 and you will a total of 8 preset monochrome profiles and profile 1 for unique situations. I keep a summary of all my profiles on my mobile phone with a brief description of each profile. All said, with a little practice it's often faster to evaluate the scene and adapt Profile 1.
The following parameters are saved with each monochrome profile:
The Monochrome Profile with 9 target colors with 3 levels each
The Shading function settings
Highlight/Shadow & Midtone settings (Curves)
Sharpness and contrast (SCP adjustments)
Film Grain Effect in the (See the SCP)
The Monochrome base color (found in the SCP)
Exposure compensation (Exp Comp dial on the Pen F)
When creating your own monochrome profiles follow the steps below:-
Like with color profiles, be aware of your surroundings and dominant colors
With monochrome, you only focus on the target color and the opposite color
When adjusting the blues in the sky, blue will darken and yellow will brighten
With landscapes, one typically targets the sky, clouds, trees, fields, or structures
With monochrome or black & white scenes, focus and work on strong contrasts
The first step is to select your target color and adjust it with the profile tool
The next step is to activate the SCP
Select a monochrome base color (T) or leave the base color neutral
From the SCP you can also select black & white or monochrome grain settings
Finally use curves to add more contrast and the shading function as required
See the examples below:
Original image on the left and the Monochrome profile using a yellow base color on the right
Again the original image w a color profile, then a monochrome only profile, and finally adding a base color
The monochrome profile tool is not the only monochrome or monotone option on the Pen F. All Olympus cameras have the monochrome picture mode. To activate the monochrome picture mode, turn the creative dial to the "OFF" position and press the OK button to activate the SCP. Move the cursor to picture modes and turn the front dial until you see monochrome. The different monochrome options will be available in the SCP.
Olympus Pen F with 50mm f1.8 - ISO200, f4.5, 1/800 (MonoChrome Profile plus a little Photoshop)
How to create/manage and share your color or monochrome profiles?
See my WorkSpace, how-to page here. Go to how-to technique #7 for a detailed explanation of how to manage your profiles. Olympus added a new gallery with color and monochrome images created by different Olympus visionaries. You will find the collection here. Each image can be downloaded and the Exif data is included. Each image also has additional information about the profile. This is a great resource for Pen F photographers looking for ideas and inspiration...
You can now lift any of these profiles with WorkSpace and transfer them to your camera. You can also open the image in WorkSpace, open the Exif Info, and manually transfer the settings to your Pen F.
Part of the Olympus Pen F collection of color and monochrome profile images
The available information for each image in the gallery
A more advanced technique for developing profiles is described in this article.
For example, it is possible to use color cards to copy and create your own profiles. I created a series of color cards with different DXO film profiles applied to them. Each image has another DXO film profile applied to the color card. This is a little more advanced and you need to be patient and ready to practice. The color cards are also a great help to develop a feel for color and to identify what the other person did when creating profiles.
Then finally visit my Pen F Profile page where I regularly add new profiles I developed or profiles I see on the web. You are also welcome to let me know when you developed a new profile you like to share with others...
I have added a few videos below. They offer more information on additional Pen F creative functions. Sometimes it's enough to apply a basic ART filter, it's not always necessary to look for complex solutions. Unfortunately, I had to remove several links, it seems Olympus is deleting videos from YouTube, I do not know if it is linked to Olympus selling the camera business.
Live Composite
See this link for 7 interesting TIPS on how you can use the Live Composite function. You can also subscribe to this Olympus webpage.
Photo Story
Rob Trek showing how to enter a version of the Kodak 25 profile
