Olympus – OM System Camera Guides
OM1-MKII GUIDE
Just released, my in-depth guide to the new OM System OM-1 Mark II. As with all the other guides it explores the Menu step-by-step, explains how to use all of the in camera features including the new features such as in-camera Live-GND’s, 14 Bit High Res Mode and what it actually means in use, ways to set up your camera to suit you and more. This is a complete NEW guide and not just an add-on to the OM1 Guide.
It explores how the changes to AF can help, including features such as AF- Button. What is it and how can it actually help you. How can you set up your camera to make the most of it for Birds in Flight? Together with lots of new images many of the sections have been expanded and the eBook is now 319 pages.
After releasing my guide for the OM-1 and it being so popular and well received I decided to release guides for the OM-System OM-5 which also includes the Olympus EM5-MK3, and a Guide the Olympus EM1-MK3. Each one is fully comprehensive with around 65,000 words, many pictures and sample images. They cover a complete Menu walkthrough with details on essential settings to change, settings and suggestions for Custom Modes and detailed directions for customising buttons with suggestions too. The approach is to show you what needs to be changed and what you can change to make the camera more flexible, useable and to suit you.
All the in-camera features are covered in detail such as Live Time, Live ND, Bracketing and Focus Stacking and goes into detail of how to actually use these out in the field with practical examples you can learn from and apply yourself.
As a Landscape photographer I also take you through the technical theory of photography in ‘Photography 101’ where we explore the Exposure Triangle, how to get great Depth of Field, learn how to nail exposure, improve your composition and even tips on how to plan your shots. We also explore Processing with tips on which applications to use and how to develop a good workflow.
I truly believe my many years of experience as a photographer and using Olympus will help you get the most from your camera, not just with the full menu walkthrough, but also to help you with each mode and photography in general.
Each Guide has it’s own dedicated website which you will have access to. Making it online allows me to easily update and add new content.
It is also Mobile Friendly making it easier to digest and access. Bookmark or add it to your Home Screen.
A 270 page e-Book is also included for offline viewing.
Online versions of the guides are great for viewing larger images, and they are formatted to be mobile friendly too. Bookmark sections and even add them to your Home Screen.
Also included is a 270 page e-Book to download for offline reading.
e-Books 260 to 280 pages depending on camera model.
Contains all the content from the Online Guide.
Full colour images and diagrams.
Contents Page with links to each chapter.
These Guides are for you if you want to learn about:
How to Set Up and Use your Olympus Camera
Using In-Camera Features such as Live Time
Focus Bracketing/Stacking and Blending
Good Composition and What to Look For
Exposure, Aperture and Depth of Field
Creating and Using Custom Modes
Understanding Customising Buttons
How to Develop a Processing Workflow
Languages
Although the PDF is English, the Guide is also provided as an online version, which can be translated* into many different languages including among others French, German, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese using Google Translate.
Try it with this web page at Google Translate.
*Translation is by Google and I cannot verify the accuracy.
Guide Sections
Each Section goes into quite some detail. The Settings Section goes through the Menu indicating what needs to be set up, suggestions for setting up buttons and Custom Modes including how I up my own Custom Modes and suggestions for others. In Exposure & Focus Bracketing I not only show you how to do it but also how to combine images in Post Processing. In Composition we explore the Rules of Composition such as Rule of Thirds and Golden Ratios with examples and annotated diagrams. Processing Workflow explores how to create and organise a workflow with suggested Apps, workflow diagrams and tips on processing.
Below is an overview of topics contained in each Section.
Camera Settings
Overview of Menus
Main Menu walkthrough and settings
Setting up Custom Buttons and suggestions
Setting up Custom Modes and suggestions
Photography 101
Understanding the Exposure Triangle
Understanding Metering for Correct Exposure
Depth of Field and Hyperfocal Distances
Planning and Researching Locations
Composition and How to Improve It
Processing Workflow
Techniques
Long Exposures-Using Filters, Live Time and Live ND
Exposure Bracketing and Blending Images
Focus Stacking, Bracketing and Blending
Using High Resolution Mode
Using Live Composite
Wildlife, Settings A.I Detection (OM1)
Gear
Tips for Useful Gear and Accessories
Tripods and What to Look For
Bags and Backpacks
Camera Filters
Useful Accessories
Below is an outline of just some of the subjects covered in each Guide. With 65,000 words, images and screen shots it covers all you could need and aims to help you become proficient with your camera, split into different sections for easy access.
Settings
We explore the Menus (OM1 Shown), how to use My Menu, set up basic settings and then explore options for button settings. We then move to advanced settings with Custom Modes for landscapes and wildlife with tips and suggestions for other genres.
Custom Modes
Each camera has slightly different methods for creating, applying and recalling Custom Modes. These are explained in detail for each model and also include various examples and suggestions for CM’s. Plus a step by step walkthrough to set up four main modes for different situations, and explanations of what they are for and why they help.
Custom Modes Planning
Available as a printable download in each guide is a Customising Cheat Sheet.
Specific to the camera model it allows you to plan out your own button settings and plan your Custom Modes before making changes. Print at home as A4, write on your own button settings and make a plan before committing to making changes in the camera. Advise is also given for planning out other settings, not just buttons.
Composition
We explore how to understand composition and create balanced images using the Rule of Thirds, using Lead-In Lines, the Golden Ratio, Points of Interest and Positive/Negative Space with annotated examples.
Discovery and Planning
My tips on how to find inspiration and then plan your trip using a variety of Apps to research location, plan routes, check sunset and sunrise, weather including wind, precipitation and cloud cover, and tide times.
Techniques
In Techniques I not only explain many photographic techniques such as Long Exposures using the traditional method and in-camera methods but give examples. In Exposure and Focus Bracketing I give examples of how to combine and merge Exposure Bracketed images, Focus Bracketed images for landscapes and more advanced manual blending techniques.
Also included is a section on how to focus bracket and stack images with an example of my ‘Glowing Shrooms’ Series. More detail is covered in my ‘Glowing Shrooms Guide’.
Wildlife
In the Wildlife section I explain settings and techniques to help you get the best chances of nailing the shot, with explanations of target modes, drive modes and setting up Custom Modes to be ready for anything.
Foe the OM-1 we will also explore AI Recognition modes and how to use them.
Depth of Field
We explore Depth of Field, the technicalities of it and more importantly how you can maximise it using simple techniques and more advanced Hyperfocal techniques but with and without Apps. We also look at Diffraction, why it matters and how to avoid it.
Processing Workflow
Getting organised with your files and how to develop a Workflow of your own, including an overview of which applications to use, a few pros and cons and how to integrate them into a logical path to follow. Go the Adobe way or avoid it? We explore options and a few recommendations.
Exposure Theory
We explore the Exposure Triangle, how ISO, Aperture and Shutter are intimately connected, the effects of noise and what it actually is, the various options for Metering and how to understand the Histogram.
Camera Exposure
We put the theory of exposure into practice and I show you how to use your camera to nail exposure. Step by step we will explore different metering modes, set the camera up to use and access different information and and look at how we can control exposure with histograms and warning indicators.
What People Are Saying
“Oh My Gosh! Your guide is amazing. I wish I had known about it two years ago. O thought it was going to be just a guide for the EM1-MKIII but it is so much more than that, it is a comprehensive guide to photography using the camera.”
“5* for highly recommending this guide, worth every penny.”
“Very readable and the sections on lenses, accessories and workflow are useful.”
“I can highly recommend Phil’s guides, comprehensive and easy to use.”
“I can absolutely recommend the OM1 guide. Comprehensive, well structured and easy to use”
“Excellent Guide, it goes beyond the usual ‘push this press that’, with explanations and examples of how to use each of the in-camera features.”
“An outstanding resourse that is going to be very helpful indeed. Highly recommended for new users and experienced alike, thanks very much.”
“Very useful, not only comprehensive but backed up with stunning images to inspire. Thanks for all the hard work.”
“Really useful tips and insights. Really appreciate not only the camera tips but also the composition and depth of field which I struggle with.”
“So useful! Highly recommended. My camera is all set up and it’s made me really think how I can use it better. And love the processing tips too!”