5 Tips on Using Olympus OM-D Cameras by Robin Wong

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I am sharing some tips on optimizing the use of Olympus OM-D cameras based on my experience as a commercial photographer over the years, and also my constant interaction with the wider Olympus community from all around the world. These are just selected few tips, and it is not meant to be a complete "how-to" guide on how to set up or use the camera. However, I strongly believe that some of these tips, such as "Noise Reduction" and "Function Lever" may severely affect shooting performance, as they directly slow down the camera operation from shot to shot.
Accompanying blog article here: robinwong.blogspot.com/2019/0...
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[@robydelvo2160]

Every single video of Robin is a discovery for me! 😁 I discovered a lot of wrong settings in my Oly camera 😒 now fixed, thank you!

[@kokokhanduja6981]

I stopped using my OMD em5 & OMD em1, 3 years ago and started using Sony Alpha full frame cameras. Your enthusiasm and advice is prompting me to return to them infact I am thinking of buying the em1 mark3

[@alan.macrae]

I'm a Nikon shooter (51 years), and I just ordered the EM1-Mk III

[@terrystanford8905]

I have just got the EM1-3 after using canon 5d3 and Im very happy, the only challenge is low light

[@astcell]

I shot Sony with the a9 and carry the 2.8 trinity lenses plus a fast 85. The same setup with Oly is less that half the price and also less than half the weight. I'm 58 and have two major shoots a year, both lasting 4-5 days and 16-20 hours a day. It's exhausting nowadays and I try to carry less lenses to compensate. A FULL Oly kit weighs less than my stripped kit.

[@scottaumann]

I have been using my OM-D EM10 for years and I still learned some good tips from this video. Thank you, Robin!

[@kennynvake4hve584]

You can make the lever switch(at 3:40)the on and off switch, which disables the original off on switch...which some people like...because its easier to switch the camera on and off with one hand...

[@DamianBloodstone]

Great info on the things I hadn't thought about or even knew about. I'm researching on the camera in hopes of getting one later and I'm learning all I can before I get it. Thanks for all the time and effort you place into these. Your vids are outstanding on the topics you are covering.

[@gunawang9oods888]

Thank you for your sharing experience and knowledge....greatttt

[@georgegilleo1315]

Thanks for clearing up the difference with live view screen between GSLR and Olympus. I was doing light painting with friends, their DSLRs were eating up battery using live view while mine was doing great . Now I know why, keep up the good work.

[@robinwong]

Glad you find something useful out of the video. Yes, for DSLR it is different, the LCD on DSLR will eat up the batteries!

[@tomboyle1949]

Thank for all the tips Robin.

[@jrosedds42]

I could really sense your hatred of the digital teleconverter! Your tips go beyond the typical advice and I like that you clearly explain and demonstrate your reasoning. I always pick up something useful from your videos!

[@robinwong]

The hatred came from people complaining to me how awful their OM-D cameras were, that they could not get sharp images. Upon inspection, most of the time (90% I'd say) it was because they had the digital teleconverter on. Yes, my hatred is justified.

[@Batten-jc6ws]

Another very helpful video. Thanks Robin!!

[@fouzoull007]

Great tips and Hints!!! Many Thanks Robin.

[@carelvanvugt9035]

Clear and quick, GOOG advice! Thanks Robin!

[@deniszolin1]

Thank you Robin I always learn something from your videos

[@robinwong]

Thanks Denis, glad you managed to get something out of the videos!

[@martinelfver4074]

Thanks Robin, great tips. Personally I set the 1-2 lever to switch between preset focus modes (mostly C-AF or MF) on my E-M1. As always, really helpful video.

[@AnandaSim]

Always interesting to see what you use. Over the years, I've learnt a lot from you, although not adopting the same settings. On my E-M1, yes the 2x2 lever can cause problems when it accidentally switches, but I use it for standard S-AF vs C-AF BBF switching. I was caught several times with dark frame subtraction happened even on fractional shutter speed, so I have my Noise Reduction is OFF. One tip for the E-M1 is to set up AUTO to Myset 2 which is a normal bunch of settings for when I quickly want use the camera for a regular, non artistic shot.

[@robinwong]

Glad to know that you are able to make the function lever useful! Yes the noise reduction can happen and it is annoying. I think for E-M1 Mark II it is over 4 seconds, but much faster shutter speeds on older OM-D cameras.

[@northguilford]

Helpful tips. Thanks.

[@adamtrattles5874]

you will soon be up to 200,000 subscribers with these films. yet another great watch, thanks Robin.

[@robinwong]

Hah, that is still a long long way to go, but thanks for the vote of confidence!

[@markanderson6639]

"Just freakin' turn this off..."! LOL! Some good tips Robin. I didn't know about these controls at all.

[@hannablackledge8640]

Very useful information - thanks for posting!

[@johnferry5668]

Great tips Robin, thank you

[@robinwong]

Thanks John, glad I could share.

[@Luncher100]

Thanks. These tips will be useful to me.

[@stephanhan.8390]

Thanks for the instant preview turn off tip. I was always wondering how to turn off the instant preview. I visited the "abcd" menus for numerous times however couldn't find it. Also the digital teleconverter tip is a new thing I learned.

[@robinwong]

Thanks Stephen, and glad to know you have found some useful tips!

[@terryyung3081]

really love your channel! you help me find another aspect of photo taking with em1

[@robinwong]

Thanks, keep on shooting!

[@LangubYL]

Good tips Robin. Appreciate it.

[@matthewhampshire1088]

We just got this camera so thanks for the tips 👍🏻

[@Mr1Sundaymorning]

Dear Robin, thanks for the video it most useful and has enhanced my enjoyment of Olympus OMD Camera. Cheers Mate.

[@robinwong]

Thanks, and glad you have found this video useful!

[@marklawson8346]

Thanks for the tips robin , I’m hoping some of the info stays in my head 😊👍🏻

[@gilbertwalker6769]

Robin, Thanks for a very useful and enjoyable video...as always! Your enthusiasm is contagious and, although I have an em10 ii, which I love, I'm excitedly waiting for the em5 iii to see which features it will offer.

[@robinwong]

Thanks Gilbert, keep shooting!

[@akimdanial]

Thanks robin. I just bought the em10 MKII yesterday.

[@angus7278]

Very useful, thanks!

[@colinspotswood9893]

‘Just freaking turn this off’!!! Love this guy.

[@tyik]

Thank you so much for the tips.

[@robinwong]

No problem! My pleasure to share.

[@marinrealestatephotography]

Hi there, Robin: I know I am late to the party, but I just wanted to say thanks for this tips video (and all the other tips video). The last tip (leaving an SD card in the second slot) is such an obvious idea I can't believe that I hadn't even thought of it. I just got an E-M1 MK II so I am going to go back through a lot of your videos and catch up on what I can. Thanks again and hope you and all the great people of Malaysia are out of quarantine again soon.

[@akighani9067]

My new Olympus E-M1Mark II is happy with your tips! Have subscribed to your channel. Thanks, from Australia.

[@robinwong]

Thanks for the sub, and please do go out and shoot more!

[@AerialLensVideo]

Excellent tips!

[@robinwong]

Thanks!

[@halvard55]

Thanks ,very helpful .

[@robinwong]

Thanks Johan, glad I could help.

[@mdkush5833]

Awesome bro, nice simple tutor

[@gibixswing]

Good morning, thanks for the various tips on the olympus system, I recently bought the E-M1X, and I found it convenient to dare the fn lever on turn on and off, so with the thumb I am faster to turn it on and shoot. I live in Italy - Liguria - Genoa. Franco

[@robinwong]

E-M1X has fixed the problem, the switch position turning is not so easily changed accidentally! So yes, please use it as it fits your needs.

[@wetcolorsgo]

Great tips Robin, really thank you! I own an EM-10 I and for the viewfinder, I set proximity sensor to OFF and the camera sleep function to the minimum. So I walk with the screen off and, most of the time, the camera goes to sleep quickly. Fortunately, she can be turned on very very quick. Because, alternating walking and photographing, the continuous switching between screen and viewfinder killed battery very quickly.

[@robinwong]

Thanks! I have developed a habit of switching off the camera when not in use, and turning it on when I need to. Using this on the street is not easy as we will lose moments, but I have become so used to it that I can do this efficiently!

[@alexreay4164]

Great tips again Robin. Even though the Function Lever has accidentally switched a few times, I love it and have it set at Pos 1 to S-AF and Pos 2 to C-AF with BBF

[@robinwong]

No worries! If the function lever works for you then keep it.

[@aerialfilm1]

That’s an impressive configuration. I never took to BBF when I tried it before on DSLRs, but this is worth trying. Thanks.

[@Mike-vd2qt]

This video helps me understand why young people are now buying used 35mm film cameras. Simplicity. The joy of taking a photo without the menu and software quirks. I've wanted to buy an Olympus for the size and weight, but the menus stopped me. Even with the technology, you can't simply use Auto because the OM-D has so many bugs to turn off.

[@GeirBakkenVestfold]

Very nice and interesting video about the OM-D cameras. I was not aware that the EVF used more battery than the rear display. And it was a nice reminder to remove the auto rec review wich was set to 0.5 sec on my camera.

[@robinwong]

Glad you have found the video useful!

[@mattisulanto]

Great tips, Robin, even though I'm not using Olympus😀

[@robinwong]

Thanks @sulantoblog I learn a lot from your videos too!

[@radsonn]

Thanks Robin, great video, greetings from Poland.

[@robinwong]

You are welcome, Radek!

[@AaronSmith-sx4ez]

I like your channel! Some ideas for future videos. 1) Maybe one on landscape photography with Olympus. What settings work best...and how to deal with different lighting conditions (overcast vs sunny, front-lighting vs back-lighting, seasonal lighting, etc...). 2) I think it would be fascinating to dig into the picture modes and modification options. i-enhance, vivid, muted, etc... The differences, pros/cons. How gradation/saturation/contrast settings affect these etc. 3) Would be great to see a lab-like test of the various noise reduction settings and in different natural contexts. 4) I know many Olympus users find these cheesy...but I think an in depth look at the scene modes to see what they do and how well they work would be fascinating. eg Sport, landscape, sunset, beach mode, etc...

[@robinwong]

Thanks for the suggestions, Aaron. They all all great ideas, I shall explore them, except number 3). That one, I will have to give a pass, because it is not what I do. I am sure many other KZbinrs or reviewers will do the "lab test".

[@GunawanGoei]

Thanks for tips bro...👍

[@erichnk]

Very useful, Robin. Olympus makes wonderfully capable , but also sometimes infuriatingly complex cameras.

[@JulesMoyaert_photo]

Thank you! 👍

[@AlexeiKorotkevich]

I use 1-2 lever on my E-M1 to switch between S-AF and C-AF.

[@robinwong]

If it works for you, then do it.

[@dayeah765caoni3]

I use mine as power switch for one handed shooting

[@sheriffnobel4274]

Useful tips

[@robinwong]

Thanks!

[@craigroethler1495]

Great tipster!

[@robinwong]

Thanks Craig!

[@MrSTAdventures]

Thanks Robin 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@robinwong]

You are welcome, Shane!

[@LouisDallara]

Great video as usually, learned new stuff. I would love a video on how to get the GPS tagging function to work on my OM-D E-M1 Mark !! it worked fine on my E-5. I'm using a Android Samsung smart phone

[@aerialfilm1]

It’s funny how often the solution to a problem is hiding right in front of me. Thanks Robin👍

[@robinwong]

They always are hiding!

[@repunts]

Thank you!

[@robinwong]

You are welcome!

[@jeffdrew625]

Tag#2: Robin, I liked your tips & translated a couple to my Pen-F. Subscribed! Thanks a bunch...Best wishes!

[@robinwong]

Thanks Jeff, appreciate that!

[@ChrisMartin-zn2mr]

Thanks Robin. I have the function lever as my on/off lever. Much easier to switch on and off with my thumb than the switch on the left hand top dial.

[@robinwong]

Wow, Chris Martin Coldplay??? Glad that you find the function lever working out. I did try to use that as my on off switch, but having it accidentally turning on the camera and start shooting images in the bag was an issue for me!

[@ChrisMartin-zn2mr]

@@robinwong 'fraid not, sorry to disappoint. Never had an issue with turning on in the bag though. Back button focusing for the AEL/AFL button as well and set for C-AF. Works very well with the latest firmware upgrade.

[@reneevallieres]

Exactly what I use mine for

[@aesace]

For the Noise reduction setting I'd recommend to have it always OFF. For the short times you'll not be limited and when shooting long exposures then you always loosing too much time which you could spend by taking pictures. I always turned it off on every DSLR I had. The hot pixels can you cover when editing the images when the time is not so limited and it's also not any big deal, you just find some tips on web how to fix them manually and fast.

[@HappyGrl41]

Great video. Tip #1 was very timely as today I went out shooting with no backup battery (dumb) and only 2 bars of battery life. I also didn't realize that the EVF uses more battery than the LCD screen but I come from Canon so that's my excuse. Thanks.

[@robinwong]

Glad that the video helped! Yes those migrating from DSLR are so used to the viewfinder! My advice is to just get more batteries. I love the EVF

[@gerzoc2698]

Hey Batman....... sorry Robin ..... Enjoyed that video. Nice one. Cheers. As a new user always good to see tips and / or settings videos. Every day's a school day as they say !!

[@robinwong]

Don't worry, I won't tell Batman you enjoyed my videos better. Thanks for the kind words.

[@mdkush5833]

Give more tips on OMD EM1 would appreciate, such as Pro Capture, etc

[@alanwood5590]

Thanks Robin, really useful. I'm relieved to find that I've already adopted all your tips except one. I have my function lever on and configured so that it switches between single and a pre-selected group of focus points. I find that especially useful for wildlife. It also means that I don't mess with the dial settings as they remain the same whatever the position of the function lever. Thanks again and keep up the good work.

[@robinwong]

Glad that you have found a workaround for the function lever! They were so annoying, as they do get switched away easily while in the camera bag.

[@mr_k4tz]

Another great video Robin 👍🏼 Maybe an idiots guide to video for mostly still shooters would go down well? I’d like to get some tips.

[@robinwong]

Thanks for the suggestion! That sounds great, will definitely do one quick beginners guide video soon

[@ChrisKoehn]

Didn't know the EVF was such a drain on battery!

[@robinwong]

Yes, they drain the EVF more than LCD screen!

[@MissMarquise]

I didn't know this either... Robin, you're a life saver!!!!!! Thank you :)

[@edwardtsui4115]

Thanks for the video. The noise reduction is causing delay particularly when using long exposure e.g. 30 seconds. It caused an extra waiting time of 30 secs before I can take another photo. Some important opportunities can be missed. So I turn the noise reduction off now. I did not know why my Olympus is taking such a long time to save the photo. Thanks for your information.

[@jennifergrainger2480]

Edward Tsui yes this was driving me crazy too! I’ve almost ditched Olympus but decided to put the time into learning more. Thank god for KZbin!!

[@nelsoncheetube]

thanks bro! I must turn off the digital tele converter immediately!

[@j.d.ripper4632]

Hello Robin, Thank you sooo much for your strong enthusiasm and devotion to photograph. I wish that Olympus would stay in the game. Each one (company) brings their own innovations and that is sad to loose. I had a n E520 as you did and to this day I am lost without it. However I do own an M10 iii. Is there a path or better as the newer and more expansive Olympus camera? I cannot see more than that little GEM gives me each day.

[@jennifergrainger2480]

Thanks, great tips! Can you show in more detail or perhaps slower where to find the settings in the VERY extensive and confusing OMD menu. Much appreciated.

[@subrotomitra]

Enjoyable

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

Thanks for the 2nd point; a number of times I have come to use my camera and wonder why its not operating as expected and its because the lever has been knocked in the bag.

[@nlanca1]

Another great video Robin - that 'turn off instant preview tip' made me grab my E-M1 and turn it off instantly! lol

[@robinwong]

Glad I could help, Nick!

[@loongninja9067]

The level function quite useful, I make the level 2 for “fn2 sets iso” and “video button sets WB”,which won’t make such a mistake mentioned in the video while you shooting pics

[@PWS777]

Great video, delivered with passion. Im not an omd-em-1 user yet...but someday soon I hope. Keep up the great videos. They keep me saving for this great camera. 😉

[@robinwong]

Thanks Paul for the kind words! Glad to know that you enjoy the video even when you are not using an OM-D now.

[@AaronSmith-sx4ez]

Digital zoom yes shouldn't be used over optical zoom typically...but there are rare circumstances where it can help. If you are in a situation where you can't get closer to a subject and are out of zoom...AND know you will crop regardless, then digital zoom can help with your AF, exposure, color balance and stabilization (a bit...not much). There are some macro and wildlife circumstances where this applies (rarely).

[@robinwong]

The reason I recommend it to be turned off, was after seeing so many people coming to me and complain about how poor the images from their OM-D cameras were (trust me, over the years, dozens, I am in the position to reach out to quite a large audience of Olympus users). Yes, it was because of the teleconverter. If you find it useful, of course you may use it. I mentioned this to caution those who thought there was no consequence in enabling it, or that they should even be using it full time! #horror

[@ladyhawkna6476]

Hi Robin. I got my Olympus OMD em1 mii in December. I have a question and I didnt see anyplace else to ask you so hopefully you will get this and know the answer. Since it is now Spring I like to shoot waterfalls. My lens is not a pro (not yet) it is a 12-200 . Its a 72mm filter. I bought more than one Variable ND filter to use on that lense and I find that when turning the filter, watching it , it separates and doesnt darken like it should. I even went to the camera store and we discovered this seemed to be an issue . So I bought a ND 8 I will try that next and change my ev to minus 3 to darken it. I got a few photos today but I am not happy with the results. I shot waterfalls with ND filters with my Nikon with no issues. I hate to think I have to use my Nikon to do longer exposures and get the lacy effect on the water. Has anyone asked you this? Can you help?

[@christophesusung3132]

Thanks for the tips, your video is very clear. I still have the EM1 MkI and I'm waiting for new OMDs to come : would it be better to buy the forthcoming EM5 MkIII (but I think it has only one SD card slot and it's a pity if so) or wait longer to buy a possible EM1 MkIII, or, another solution, buy a second hand EM1 MKII ?!

[@mavic6155]

I do not have a Olympus (yet), but these seem to be very good tips.

[@rogerhance5883]

Enjoy your videos. Can you do a video on Pro Capture please

[@robinwong]

Thanks for the kind words. Sure, PRO Capture mode video is in the list.

[@stephanhan.8390]

The EVF might be consuming battery. However it does turn on only our eye is closer I guess. However the LCD seems always on.

[@robinwong]

that is true! Nonetheless, some people thought the EVF consumes less battery, hence they purposely turned off the LCD and enable EVF full time!

[@OniMirage]

You can save lots of battery by forcing the grey super control panel mode for the LCD display and turning off touch controls. It basically turns the LCD display to the same as the old E series cameras. Also hi Robin I followed you wayyyy back in the day when I was one of the first adopters of the original OMD EM5. I went through 3 of those bodies. I have been out of photography for years and got back in with the EM1 MII so now my legacy Zuiko glass works like it was supposed to. It's good to see you are still producing art.

[@robinwong]

Thanks for staying with me, and glad that you got the E-M1 Mark II and are now doing photography again! Keep the shutter clicking.

[@madart6476]

Great Video!! This Tips are avaiable on the Mark III??

[@yan870126]

Hey, do you have a video Om-D em10 mk ii tips? Or this applies to em10 mk ii as well?

[@copyright24]

Thanks for the tips, still learning some stuff. I have a small question about the Noise Filter (not the noise reduction you mentionned in the video), yours it turned Off, but there is different settings, why off is better than the High option ? Thanks again.

[@robinwong]

I did a full explanation in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/apu0fnxrfbWerMk

[@ElliotChoi]

@2:20 - in function 1, how do you change the setting where you see real time adjustments you make to your image? (increase/decrease in exposure)

[@asteriskesque]

You can reassign the lever to do other things. I have the lever set so that Up is autofocus and Down is manual focus. Obviously, you could assign manual focus to a button, but I prefer having it on the lever instead of a button.

[@robinwong]

My point is, the function lever gets switched unexpectedly, I never wanted it to be reassigned to anything else that I can accidentally changed my settings unknowingly. No more accidental mistakes that cost me critical shots. No more.

[@Pandenhir]

Thank you, I just bought one last week so this is right on time. I love the strap you have on yours, you don't happen to have a link for that? ;)

[@robinwong]

Glad you have an OM-D. hThe strap was a cheap China brand strap from a local online store in Malaysia. Can't remember the brand, it is not on the strap.

[@jb-vs8pm]

Highly recommend this one, similar to Robin’s. Fits perfectly on my OM-D. Strong, thick and soft adjustable strap & good quality metal attacher, looks good and cheap as (

[@jb-vs8pm]

Thanks for a really useful video Robin. Probably a stupid question, but will an image taken with digital teleconverter ON (Photo A) end up looking exactly the same as (as clear as) one taken with digital teleconverter OFF (Photo B) that is later cropped to match exactly Photo A?

[@michaelwalsh7846]

My camera menu at age 64 is certainty keeping my brain alive!

[@maido2945]

Hi Robin, can you do tutorials on how to do compression photography with telephoto lenses please? Thanks!

[@youtubecelebrimbor3925]

Thank you for this very simple but very useful guide. btw what is your lens?

[@robinwong]

Thanks! You mean the one in this video? It was M.Zuiko 30mm F3.5 Macro

[@MrPhotoBlitz]

Robin have you discussed Keystone Compensation and its use? I see that all recent OMD cameras have it since Mark II.

[@jeffdrew625]

Tip#4 - I would argue that if the digital teleconverter feature had no value, ever, the designers would not have included it or supported it. Perhaps there is a rare occasion to use it? I have, and it meant getting an intended image versus none. Or, I could have sprayed & prayed and then used PS etc to crop & save in the future; losing same pixels in crops and changes. This is not always convenient when on a tight travel plan, imo. I understand your opinions and recommendations, tho.

[@robinwong]

If you fully understand the limitations and work with them, then it is fine, my issue is that most people don't know what it does and assumed there were no consequences in using the digital teleconverter!

[@arunashamal]

OMD's really need the autofocus point selector clitoris on it. It is a nightmare to select AF points on that navigation button

O.K. Le sigo con los subtítulos en español. Thank you.

[@michael-mvtd]

Are you certain the EVF takes more energy than the LCD? I'm thinking if I was doing a long Live Composite star trails (hours long, cold weather) which should be active so as to preserve the battery. Can they both be disabled during such a long capture?

[@marvinlee5926]

Hi Robin... i have a question. Does Em10 Mark3 have this feature for setting minimum shutter speed while shooting in aperture mode? Thank you in advance

[@Makta972]

Can you make a vid about the new detail priority (firmware 3.0)

[@robinwong]

I don't think it makes a difference. I prefer to stay at ISO200. By going to ISO L100 or L64, you lose significant amount of dynamic range. I don't see the benefit of the sacrifice.

[@were2man]

Hi Robin, is it necessary to put lcd screen protector for Olympus camera?

[@jsiena7665]

Hi Robin, I have an Olympus O-MD E10 I bought used. When I look in the viewfinder and turn the exposure compensation dial, I don't see the viewfinder dim or brighten when I turn the dial either was. It's as if I have an optical viewfinder. When I take photos after making the changes, I see the difference, but not through the viewfinder. Is there a setting I need to change in the menu? Thanks.

[@jannieschluter9670]

Em10mk3 vs gx85? I wanted a camera for videography. Olympus is good enough for that? Heard that the olympus body isis stabilization is lens dependent...