Help with settings for my new OM-D EM-5

[Andreni]

Hi there

Just recently I bought the OM-D EM-5 with the standard lens. I think it's generally a very good camera, but I have to get used to it... Yesterday I went to the pool to play around with settings, flash, etc. And here comes my question. With the XZ-1 I loved to make pictures with a black background like the one below:

If I remember correctly, the settings were (in manual mode) 1/2000, 5.6, full flash (external).

Yesterday in the pool I tried to do the same with the EM-5 but it wasn't possible to increase the shutter speed to 1/2000 only to 1/250. Why? I googled but could not find an answer...

Or does somebody have a tipp for me for a different setting with the same effect? Yesterday in the pool I tried everything but failed :depressed:...

I'm just a beginner in underwater photography and not too keen in the technic but love to shoot pictures I like.

Looking forward to your tipps!
Thank you in advance!:kiss2:

 

[gstrek]

I'm sure others will jump in but the short of it is the maximum sync speed of an EM-5 is 1/250. If you have an Olympus strobe, you may be able to do high-speed sync. Keep in mind, as you have already discovered, shutter speed controls the ambient light (higher speed, darker back ground; slower speed, lighter background).

If you google "olympus om-d em-5 max sync speed" it will give you a lot of info.

 

[jlyle]

If you haven't already done it, make sure you have the latest firmware for your camera; that will give you a lower ISO. Shoot in manual at 1/250 sec (strobe sync speed) and crank the aperture down to f/13 or smaller (higher number).

My camera is in the housing waiting to go diving tomorrow or I would try the following: set the camera's flash to manual and the lowest setting and check to see if you can then use a faster speed. You won't get TTL but it may allow you to use a faster shutter speed. I need to try this!

Here's a good resource for underwater settings for your new camera: http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=48625

 

[bvanant]

Jim:
I tried it at the lowest power setting, no dice on the EM-1.
Bill

 

[gstrek]

Doesn't the Olympus UWL UFL-2 strobe enable the hi-speed sync on an OM-D to be something like 1/4000? What strobe are you using?

I know I can only sync to 1/160 on my Pen with a Sea&Sea YS01 but could sync much higher if I were to use the Oly UFL strobe instead.

Dropping the ISO to 50 would give you a couple f-stops to play with if you are currently shooting ISO 200. That would be worth a try as Jim mentioned - you can close down 2 stops or more to a smaller opening (f/13 or f/16) and boost the strobe by a couple stops more light as needed.

Gary

 

[deeper thoughts]

good info

 

[Andreni]

Thanks for all the information.

gstrek: As soon as I put the original Olympus-flash on my camera (on land ) the maximum shutter speed is 1/250. As the flash has to be activated under water I don't think it will be different with another type of underwater strobe?!? I can't choose ISO 50, only "low" and the next level is 200.

jlyle: We just updated the software of the camera a few weeks ago. Is there a new edition? No chance with setting the camera's flash to the lowest...

Could it work with the RC mode?

Any other suggestions for good settings?

It is a bit frustrating at the moment, so I'm really grateful for all your tipps!

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

Andreni,

This is simple stuff, the ISO value on your E-M5 when set to low is 100. You did not say what ISO value you used in you photo above but if we assume the same ISO value then you have one way to darken the background given the same shooting situation, I.E. ambient light, depth etc. that would be to change the F/stop.

The highest sync speed for the E-M5 is 1/250th of a second, this is common with interchangeable lens cameras. So 1/250th of a second is a three stop light difference from 1/2000th. So 1/250th to 1/500th to 1/1000th to 1/2000th. So from your setting of F/5.6 to F/8 to F/11 to F/16 and you should get the same black background with the E-M5 set to manual at ISO-100 and 1/250th sec.

If you are using fiber optics and I am sure you are to fire your strobes the RC mode will not allow your external strobes to fire. It is meant for IR controlled off camera land strobes from Olympus.

Only the consumer compact cameras like your XZ-1 can get such high sync speeds, welcome to the world of interchangeable lens cameras.

 

[Andreni]

Thank you Phil Rudin, now I've got it! That was really helpful As mentioned I'm still a beginner so I appreciate any tipps.

I really have to admit that I wasn't aware of the big differences between compact cameras and the ones with the interchangeable lenses.. I'm sure I will be happy with the EM-5 once I'm used to it!

 

[gstrek]

Phil, I thought the Olympus UFL-2 strobe had Super FP mode capability and could sync at a higher speed than the 'standard' sync speed. The user manual is linked below. What are the caveats? Does it require something other than a Fiber Optic link (TTL cable and a housing that supports it)? Although it's a moot point as I don't use the strobe, I remember a guy at Cathy Church's doing a hard sell on me with this as a major 'feature'. I don't recall the housing but it was a Pen series camera.

http://www.olympus-europa.com/site/rmt/media/consumer/pim/_manuals_ss2011_/UFL-2_MANUAL_EN.pdf

PS - I also thank Phil Rudin for his advice to me as I got started with my Pen and his continued support of the UW photo community. Same thanks goes to JLyle (who I had the privilege to meet in Cozumel).