Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II and OM-D E-M1X Firmware Updates

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 19, 2019


Download Update Here

OLYMPUS ANNOUNCES FIRMWARE UPGRADES ENHANCING AUTOFOCUS PERFORMANCE AND IMAGE QUALITY
Version 3.0 for the OM-D® E-M1 Mark II, Version 1.1 for the OM-D E-M1X and Version 1.1 for Olympus® Workspace

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., June 19, 2019 – Olympus is pleased to announce availability of the latest firmware upgrade for two interchangeable lens cameras, Version 3.0 for the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II and Version 1.1 for the Olympus OM-D E-M1X. Additionally, Firmware Version 1.1 is now available for Olympus Workspace. OM-D E-M1 Mark II firmware Version 3.0 adds high-precision autofocus (AF) performance and the high image quality currently available on Olympus’ newest OM-D, the E-M1X. Specifically designed for the professional models in the OM-D series, the OM-D E-M1 Mark II and OM-D E-M1X, this new firmware provides feature enhancements for photographers who require portability and smooth operation of the camera when shooting.

OM-D E-M1 Mark II Firmware Version 3.0: Main Features

Advanced AF Performance
This upgrade utilizes the OM-D E-M1X algorithm, which was developed based on the shooting needs of the professional photographer. With the goal of achieving performance that responds to demanding shooting conditions, such as fast movement in sports, etc., C-AF Center Priority delivers high-precision tracking of moving subjects and sudden subject movement. AF precision for still subjects when using S-AF is improved for various subjects compared to OM-D E-M1 Mark II firmware Version 2.3. Active use of information from the On-chip Phase Detection AF sensor also improves AF performance while shooting video. Read More »

Posted in Olympus| Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Camera That Started it All The Olympus E-P1 Unboxed in 2019

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 17, 2019

When m43 first launched I was torn between the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic GF1 and I personally ended up picking the Panasonic GF1 with the excellent Panasonic 20mm f/1.7. Today you can buy an Olympus E-P1 pretty affordable compared to a Pansonic GF1, which new and in the box with the 20mm f/1.7 has gone up in price (the last listing I saw was over $2,000).

Posted in Olympus| Tagged | 2 Comments

IR Interview: Olympus 12-200mm, EM1X, Stacked Sensor Tech, And More

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 12, 2019


Image Resources had an interview with Olympus recently. Below are excerpts from the interview:

  • Olympus ZERO coating is general dichroic coating or multiple coatings
  • The original part of Olympus’ coating is how thin they can make it which creates a very low reflection rate that is half that of the competition
  • They cover the hermetically sealing (basically it’s just watertight not air) of the 12-200 in detail that would be lost in a summary
  • AF speed doesn’t come just from the motor, because how short the lens travels during focusing can be a bigger factor, but precision depends on the motors
  • Olympus’ lens designs can work well with stepping motors almost as well as linear motors
  • Open-loop control is typical of stepping motors but Olympus is using the feedback-loop control
  • Open-loop can have miss focusing problems though
  • The Olympus E-M1X’s EVF was picked for its superior refresh rate and panel quality
  • Readout speed, dynamic range, and color reproduction are as important or even more important than resolution when picking a sensor
  • 20MP is currently the sweet spot for readout speed, dynamic range, and color reproduction
  • The E-M1X only really improves autofocus tracking performance for moving subjects
  • The default E-M1X AF-C setting is center-priority and it is extra sticky now in addition to customizable
  • The stacked sensor technology that Olympus developed back in 2015 doesn’t sound ready for cameras yet and Olympus says that breakthroughs take time to bring to market.

via IR

Posted in Olympus| 4 Comments

DPRTV: Panasonic DFD vs Canon Dual Pixel AF

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 8, 2019

DPReviewTV produced a video defending DFD against Canon Dual Pixel AF. What do you think? Should Panasonic go PDAF on the sensor? Are Panasonic’s DFD improvements over the years enough?

 

Posted in Panasonic| Tagged , | 2 Comments

New Profoto B10 Plus Announced and Available

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 5, 2019


The New Profoto B10 Plus can now be ordered from B&H Photo and Adorama

Product Highlights

  • 500Ws, 10-Stop Power Range
  • Length: 9.3″, Diameter: 3.9″
  • Li-Ion Battery: 200 Full-Power Flashes
  • Full TTL Auto Exposure Control Plus HSS
  • 0.05-2.5 Second Recycling
  • t0.5 Freeze Mode: 1/50,000 sec Duration
  • 3000-6500 LED Modeling Lamp, CRI 90-96
  • 330′ Wireless Triggering with Air TTL
  • Smartphone Connectivity with Profoto App

B10 Plus vs the B10
The three key differences between the B10 and the B10 Plus are flash power, size, and weight. They also share the same accessories but the bag size in the single head kits are made appropriate to their individual sizes.

Press Release:
Profoto B10 Plus – More power of small
With the B10 Plus, shooting on location isn’t about problems, it’s about opportunities.

Because shooting on location forces you to make choices.

For the most part, those choices inevitably come down to how much gear to bring and how much gear to leave behind.

Because if you’re shooting a wedding, for example, you can’t afford for your gear to slow you down. And if the location is remote there’s only so much you can realistically carry. Ultimately, there’s always a compromise. Read More »

Posted in Accessories| Tagged , | 5 Comments