Olympus OM-D E-M5, E-M1, E-M10 - Mk1, Mk2 & Mk3 Owners Thread

Had a really frustrating lunchtime today. I've been doing more and more video shooting rather than stills, so took the OM-1 with the 300mm F4 and the 1.4x converter (converter never used), to a forest nature park near work with the intention to shoot some woodland bird videos in 4k 60p. I ended up getting almost nothing as most of the time with the small birds that are only still for a matter of seconds, the video AF (set to AF-C+Tracking- with birds selected), was woeful and just either wouldn't focus on what I pointed it at or if it did, it was so slow to get focus that the bird had long since gone. Most of the time even when pressing the AF-On button on the back, it just wouldn't focus at all, and TBH, didn't even look like it was trying to.

As we all know, in photo mode the AF-C bird tracking is fantastic (not perfect but bloody good), but the AF performance in video I've been finding more and more to be really poor. Anyone else experienced this ? I wonder if the OM-1 MK II improves on this - anyone ?

I think in recent weeks I've been spoiled by my Nikon Z8, which not only shoots 4K 120p (in 10 bit mode for all colour profiles - not just log), but it's AF-C performance in video mode is almost as good on the Z8 as it is in the photo mode - i.e. superb. Are there any heavyweight video shooters with the OM-1 on this forum that can point me in the right direction as to either what I'm doing wrong (if I am indeed doing something wrong), or best way to mitigate the issue ? I tried pre-focussing, but the problem is that the birds don't drop on the same branch time after time, so the camera will always be asked to focus.
 
Sootchucker said:
Had a really frustrating lunchtime today. I've been doing more and more video shooting rather than stills, so took the OM-1 with the 300mm F4 and the 1.4x converter (converter never used), to a forest nature park near work with the intention to shoot some woodland bird videos in 4k 60p. I ended up getting almost nothing as most of the time with the small birds that are only still for a matter of seconds, the video AF (set to AF-C+Tracking- with birds selected), was woeful and just either wouldn't focus on what I pointed it at or if it did, it was so slow to get focus that the bird had long since gone. Most of the time even when pressing the AF-On button on the back, it just wouldn't focus at all, and TBH, didn't even look like it was trying to.

As we all know, in photo mode the AF-C bird tracking is fantastic (not perfect but bloody good), but the AF performance in video I've been finding more and more to be really poor. Anyone else experienced this ? I wonder if the OM-1 MK II improves on this - anyone ?

I think in recent weeks I've been spoiled by my Nikon Z8, which not only shoots 4K 120p (in 10 bit mode for all colour profiles - not just log), but it's AF-C performance in video mode is almost as good on the Z8 as it is in the photo mode - i.e. superb. Are there any heavyweight video shooters with the OM-1 on this forum that can point me in the right direction as to either what I'm doing wrong (if I am indeed doing something wrong), or best way to mitigate the issue ? I tried pre-focussing, but the problem is that the birds don't drop on the same branch time after time, so the camera will always be asked to focus.
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Mike Lane compared the OM1 to the Panasonic G9mk2 and concluded that the OM1 was the better at stills but the G9 mk2 stood out in regard to video performance
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8qtfT8eHqA


Roger Hance showed the OM1m2 performance in respect of both video & stills
I think it is this one?
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYfFvT3ciDY


Now, as OM have promised the OM1 will be getting some firmware improvements in September but it remains to be seen exactly what those improvements will be! One thing for sure it will not (no surprise to me) get mk2 wonders that are based on the hardware/firmware but fingers crossed the C-AF in both stills & video might benefit?
 
Box Brownie said:
Now, as OM have promised the OM1 will be getting some firmware improvements in September but it remains to be seen exactly what those improvements will be! One thing for sure it will not (no surprise to me) get mk2 wonders that are based on the hardware/firmware but fingers crossed the C-AF in both stills & video might benefit?
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.... September is a long way off! I had to double check the date of your post. If OM are announcing that now it does suggest that the Firmware improvements could be quite major or at least very significant.

Do you find C-AF in stills to be lacking something? I use C-AF[M] most of the time and have no problem with it but nowadays I shoot many more trains-on-rails rather than birds-in-flight.
 
RedRobin said:
.... September is a long way off! I had to double check the date of your post. If OM are announcing that now it does suggest that the Firmware improvements could be quite major or at least very significant.

Do you find C-AF in stills to be lacking something? I use C-AF[M] most of the time and have no problem with it but nowadays I shoot many more trains-on-rails rather than birds-in-flight.
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The OM1 is good but lacks (possibly subject dependent?) some C-AF 'stickiness', so when the MK2 spec and it's review performance spoke of/indicated C-AF improvements that were not obviously or statedly down to the upgraded hardware....,... Therefore arguably, some, were transposable to the MK1.

Here is copied & pasted what OM have said:-

"FUTURE FIRMWARE UPDATE PLAN FOR OM-1
February 21st 2024 | Since the announcement of the OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II interchangeable lens camera on January 30, there have been many inquiries regarding the possibility of a firmware update to the OM SYSTEM OM-1 (released March 2022). As a result, we would like to advise of our plan for a future firmware update for OM-1:

Future Firmware Update Plan for OM-1
Scheduled to be released around this autumn (northern hemisphere), the following changes for the OM-1 via a firmware update are planned:
  1. Autofocus: Improvement of some AF performance capabilities, such as S-AF and C-AF in all-target mode to improve capture of main subjects.
  2. Operability: Improved usability through the option to assign the trash (delete) button as a menu access shortcut.

Please note the following:
  • It will not include new features introduced with the OM-1 Mark II, such as Live GND and AI Detection AF for humans.
  • It will provide some AF performance improvements only and therefore the new AF performance of the OM-1 will not match the OM-1 Mark II.
We will continue to provide products and services that enrich the photography experience.
* Details are subject to change "

So hopefully there will an incremental C-AF improvements for both stills & video :thinking:
 
Weird as a fairly recent OM1 buyer I can’t really fault the AF or bird I.d it’s giving me some spectacular shots .. yes they ma6 have improved things in the MKii but I’m definitely not spending another couple of grand for marginal improvements
 
Pick said:
Looking for some info and help.I am a Canon user and hoping to get into macro photography using photo stacking with flash .I have heard that Olympus are good at this.I have aquired the 60mm macro lens from a friend.He swears by his OM1,but is there anything slightly cheaper.I will still be keeping the Canon stuff but hope to buy used.
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Olympus/OM have two capabilities... focus bracketing and focus stacking. One of them will produce an in-camera jpeg and the other will produce a number of images which you then stack in post processing (in both cases you can also save the raw images). You will need to double check the specs, as I think earlier models may not be able to do the in-camera processing, but I think the Em1 mk ii and mk iii can both do the bracketing, and as Jeff mentioned, the Em1X (probably does the in-camera stacking too). I think the EM1mkii will not do the in camera processing, but it's worth checking if that is important to you.

I have used flash with stacking to produce images of fossils. It was a little while ago, but if I remember rightly, you are limited with the speed you can set the shutter to.... maybe 1/60s? This did make it tricky at times to prevent ambient light having an effect.
 
the black fox said:
Weird as a fairly recent OM1 buyer I can’t really fault the AF or bird I.d it’s giving me some spectacular shots .. yes they ma6 have improved things in the MKii but I’m definitely not spending another couple of grand for marginal improvements
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Yeah, I’m not referring to photo shots Jeff, on that front the AF on the OM-1 is fantastic, it’s the AF in video I’m referring to.
 
Sootchucker said:
Been looking at all the hoopla over the new Fuji X100V, and it sure does look like a very nice camera. 40mp APS-C sensor, 6K and 4K video, IBIS etc. However at £1500 and a probably wait of 6 months to a year to get hold of one, I decided to give it a miss.

I was then trawling the internet and found a very tidy Olympus Pen-F in silver, with absolutely everything it came with (all boxes and sleeves, manuals, Flash, cables, neck strap, genuine charger and 4 genuine Olympus BLN-1 batteries. The body has a couple of small marks (unsurprising for a camera of this age - I prefer to call them battle scars)), but only has 12,000 shutter activations. I made a cheeky offer, and it's now in my hands for the princely sum of £420 (a bit of an impulse purchase) !

I know the Pen-F is older technology, has "only" a 20mp sensor, isn't APS-C, doesn't have fantastic AF-C and tracking performance, and only shoots video in 1080p (that's a real shame), but it does have great build quality, a decent EVF, tiny external flash, Olympus's legendary IBIS and a full suit of colour and B&W controls. I've been meaning to get hold of one of these for several years now, but they were always a bit too expensive. Well, I now own one and I've coupled it with my Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm F1.8, to make a pseudo X100 copy (probably more like an X100T than the new VI, but at a fraction of the price. Let's bring the fun back into photography.



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I always fancied a Pen F, not for any sound photographic needs, it's just a thing of beauty!
 
#peat Looks good on my iPad, if I were being hypercritical I would prefer the bird to be slightly to the right of centre.
love the wing touching the water
 
peat said:
Common Redshank. With OM1 and 300mm f4+1.4Tc. Ill be interested in feedback on this photo as its one of the first ive edited using an LG 42 Oled Tv rather than a monitor.

Common Redshank by Pete, on Flickr
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Very nice Pete even better on Flickr .. hmm t.v as monitor sounds interesting can you expand on this ?
 
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the black fox said:
Very nice Pete even better on Flickr .. hmm t.v as monitor sounds interesting can you expand on this ?
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Thanks for the feedback.
my TV died and monitor died at same time so i looked into the lg c3 42 inch Tv and could it be used as a photo editing monitor. Lots of people said they use theirs for video editing and liked it. A few said photo editing was fine too. Not the ideal solution but when I need to replace both in one go I thought I would risk it.
I was worried about the sharpness but its OK. Not brilliant but seems doable. My only complaint and unfortunately its a big one is theres a wierd pink tinge from certain angles which makes editing harder than it should be. Some people have said this dies away after a while as its some coating but we will see.
If I had the money i absolutely would have bought a separate monitor but I think it will do for the time being.
 
peat said:
Common Redshank. With OM1 and 300mm f4+1.4Tc. Ill be interested in feedback on this photo as its one of the first ive edited using an LG 42 Oled Tv rather than a monitor.

Common Redshank by Pete, on Flickr
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"Excellent" wildlife style capture Pete, nice stance with some fine detail.
 
peat said:
Thanks for the feedback.
my TV died and monitor died at same time so i looked into the lg c3 42 inch Tv and could it be used as a photo editing monitor. Lots of people said they use theirs for video editing and liked it. A few said photo editing was fine too. Not the ideal solution but when I need to replace both in one go I thought I would risk it.
I was worried about the sharpness but its OK. Not brilliant but seems doable. My only complaint and unfortunately its a big one is theres a wierd pink tinge from certain angles which makes editing harder than it should be. Some people have said this dies away after a while as its some coating but we will see.
If I had the money i absolutely would have bought a separate monitor but I think it will do for the time being.
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Is it good as a TV? The C3 in 42" or 48" form is top of my list to replace our current 42" TV which has irritating lines across the screen.
 
OMDS PORTUGAL SERVICE SECOND-TO-NONE !!

My February 2022 OM-1 was picked up by DHL on 8th March Friday morning following packaging docs/labels etc which had been sent to me via email. It arrived back to me on 14th March Thursday morning.

I had reported stain marks on the sensor only visible on RAW processed images at F/20 and smaller apertures when shooting C-AF[M] at slow shutter speeds less than 1/30s. Also I had reported very stiff scrolling wheels when camera wet - I am not afraid to shoot in the rain and on beaches.

Their report states :

"We have carefully reviewed your product and carried out following measures :
- Strap eyelet/holder has been replaced.
- Mode dial/switch has been repaired.
- Image stabiliser has been replaced.
- Product has been checked and cleaned."

I haven't had the time to spend a day out with it yet but preliminary use is feeling good. It feels horrible without the battery grip! I have several shooting sessions next week.

I hardly ever change the Mode Dial because I always shoot full Manual-mode (even ISO) and use shortcut buttons to my C-modes, so I didn't know it needed repairing. Neither did I know that the Image Stabiliser needed replacing! Also, I never use a camera strap and always remove the jangly rings from the eyelets. The scrolling wheels feel ok but they have never been as comfortably free as on my E-M1X (which I still have and use for a second lens option). I want some rain now to test the scroll wheels when the camera is wet.

OM had saved and reloaded my custom settings so all I had to do was set the date. Firmware is 1.5, I don't remember what it was but I tend to keep firmwares up to date.

So although I was enjoying shooting with my E-M1X more often - Having a one-piece grip is a bonus from the Battery Grip always attached to my OM-1 except for second battery changes - It will be interesting to use my OM-1 again - I think its AF is snappier than the E-M1X.
 
RedRobin said:
OMDS PORTUGAL SERVICE SECOND-TO-NONE !!

My February 2022 OM-1 was picked up by DHL on 8th March Friday morning following packaging docs/labels etc which had been sent to me via email. It arrived back to me on 14th March Thursday morning.

I had reported stain marks on the sensor only visible on RAW processed images at F/20 and smaller apertures when shooting C-AF[M] at slow shutter speeds less than 1/30s. Also I had reported very stiff scrolling wheels when camera wet - I am not afraid to shoot in the rain and on beaches.

Their report states :

"We have carefully reviewed your product and carried out following measures :
- Strap eyelet/holder has been replaced.
- Mode dial/switch has been repaired.
- Image stabiliser has been replaced.
- Product has been checked and cleaned."

I haven't had the time to spend a day out with it yet but preliminary use is feeling good. It feels horrible without the battery grip! I have several shooting sessions next week.

I hardly ever change the Mode Dial because I always shoot full Manual-mode (even ISO) and use shortcut buttons to my C-modes, so I didn't know it needed repairing. Neither did I know that the Image Stabiliser needed replacing! Also, I never use a camera strap and always remove the jangly rings from the eyelets. The scrolling wheels feel ok but they have never been as comfortably free as on my E-M1X (which I still have and use for a second lens option). I want some rain now to test the scroll wheels when the camera is wet.

OM had saved and reloaded my custom settings so all I had to do was set the date. Firmware is 1.5, I don't remember what it was but I tend to keep firmwares up to date.

So although I was enjoying shooting with my E-M1X more often - Having a one-piece grip is a bonus from the Battery Grip always attached to my OM-1 except for second battery changes - It will be interesting to use my OM-1 again - I think its AF is snappier than the E-M1X.
Click to expand...
Good to hear positive feedback on the service from Portugal
 
trevorbray said:
Good to hear positive feedback on the service from Portugal
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.... Like any professional brand-approved repairer (A J Johnstone in Glasgow for example), OMDS pride themselves in treating a camera product as if it was their very own and have very thorough systems in place.

The long delays of weeks experienced by many in the past are all down to the bloody HMRC and VAT authorities in the many months after Brexit. Plus, having spoken with OM Support I know that they have very precisely sorted out the shipping documentation for a fast smooth passage. They looked after everything on my behalf so that all I had to do was the physical shipping box ready for DHL collection. It's no wonder that I sing their praises!

However, I will add that if I had negative feedback I would be reporting that too.

I am very curious about the reasons why my OM-1 Image Stabilisation needed replacing. It's probably a modular component which is simpler to replace than to repair but I was not experiencing any IS issues that I could recognise. Panning trains will possibly suggest something if my hit rate suddenly improves but I am guessing.
 
Teal flypast at Leighton Moss last month. This is a good example of the difference the OM1 makes to my wildlife photography. This and the previous redshank. With previous equipment I would have just gone oh there goes x y z bird flying past. But with the OM1 I am always thinking oooo i'll have a pop at that and more times than not the camera gives me a useable photo.

Eurasian Teal, Leighton Moss by Pete, on Flickr
 
Nice shots Pete ,OM1 makes it to easy
 
RedRobin said:
.... Like any professional brand-approved repairer (A J Johnstone in Glasgow for example), OMDS pride themselves in treating a camera product as if it was their very own and have very thorough systems in place.

The long delays of weeks experienced by many in the past are all down to the bloody HMRC and VAT authorities in the many months after Brexit. Plus, having spoken with OM Support I know that they have very precisely sorted out the shipping documentation for a fast smooth passage. They looked after everything on my behalf so that all I had to do was the physical shipping box ready for DHL collection. It's no wonder that I sing their praises!

However, I will add that if I had negative feedback I would be reporting that too.

I am very curious about the reasons why my OM-1 Image Stabilisation needed replacing. It's probably a modular component which is simpler to replace than to repair but I was not experiencing any IS issues that I could recognise. Panning trains will possibly suggest something if my hit rate suddenly improves but I am guessing.
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I had the pro service for a while. I was also really impressed with their service. I felt very nervous packaging off my camera and 3 lenses, but I got them back within days. I also had an EM1ii fixed under warranty and likewise fantastic service, although all of this was before Brexit, so it’s really good to hear all this Robin.
 
Bebop said:
I had the pro service for a while. I was also really impressed with their service. I felt very nervous packaging off my camera and 3 lenses, but I got them back within days. I also had an EM1ii fixed under warranty and likewise fantastic service, although all of this was before Brexit, so it’s really good to hear all this Robin.
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.... Yes I thought some people here might find it useful to hear my good experience particularly as I know that the wretched UK customs caused weeks of delays at the time of Brexit, all outside of OMD's control. Btw, I don't have the Pro Service but I seem to get treated as if I have.
 
I am looking for some help please.Coming from Canon , I have just bought myself an Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III for some macro photography. when i am in manual focusing mode and looking through the viewfinder at close ups of bugs etc it is darkish but when i turn the focusing it gets brighter for a couple of seconds and helps.Is there away of increasing this time.
 
RedRobin said:
.... Yes I thought some people here might find it useful to hear my good experience particularly as I know that the wretched UK customs caused weeks of delays at the time of Brexit, all outside of OMD's control. Btw, I don't have the Pro Service but I seem to get treated as if I have.
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My Pro service ran out long ago - I think I got it free when I bought the Em1iii. It was a great service which I didn't think was still available.

I do find OM responsive to repair issues. I decided to ask about a possible repair to the lens hood on my 40-150 f/2.8 lens, on the off-chance it was a lot cheaper than buying new. It turns out it will cost £44.01 - where a new one is £49.99, so that was a bit disappointing. I did look at the 3rd party alternatives when I asked on here before. One of the compatibles was the Canon 180 macro lens hood. Well I have that one and it doesn't fit well at all, so I am still on the fence. I might try and fix mine. At the moment it is held together with sellotape and the ball bearings are still in there... I think!! I don't think I have anything to lose by trying.
 
Bebop said:
My Pro service ran out long ago - I think I got it free when I bought the Em1iii. It was a great service which I didn't think was still available.

I do find OM responsive to repair issues. I decided to ask about a possible repair to the lens hood on my 40-150 f/2.8 lens, on the off-chance it was a lot cheaper than buying new. It turns out it will cost £44.01 - where a new one is £49.99, so that was a bit disappointing. I did look at the 3rd party alternatives when I asked on here before. One of the compatibles was the Canon 180 macro lens hood. Well I have that one and it doesn't fit well at all, so I am still on the fence. I might try and fix mine. At the moment it is held together with sellotape and the ball bearings are still in there... I think!! I don't think I have anything to lose by trying.
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If you are happy with a conventional 'fixed' hood rather than the potentially(?) auto destructive one......the same one that fits the 100-400mm also fits the 40-150mm F2.8
I did not want to see mine self destruct so bought that one and as needed (like I have done since my Canon days) can reversed for storage :)
 
Box Brownie said:
If you are happy with a conventional 'fixed' hood rather than the potentially(?) auto destructive one......the same one that fits the 100-400mm also fits the 40-150mm F2.8
I did not want to see mine self destruct so bought that one and as needed (like I have done since my Canon days) can reversed for storage :)
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That's the OM100-400 lens hood? Does it go on easily?

I know third party ones for the Canon 135 and 180 were recommended, but I wasn't impressed with my own Canon 180mm one. It will go on, but it feels like the lugs aren't lined up well and it might break.

Edit - actually I have a friend with the 100-400 OM lens, so maybe I will try it!
 
Bebop said:
That's the OM100-400 lens hood? Does it go on easily?

I know third party ones for the Canon 135 and 180 were recommended, but I wasn't impressed with my own Canon 180mm one. It will go on, but it feels like the lugs aren't lined up well and it might break.

Edit - actually I have a friend with the 100-400 OM lens, so maybe I will try it!
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IIRC they state on the webshop page of the 100-400mm where the LH is listed that it fits the 40-150 f2.8
 
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