JD750 Loc: SoCal

I have recently become the happy owner of an Olympus OM-D EM-5 Mii. It was a replacement for my aging Panasonic DMC-G1. I love (almost) everything about this camera. My only regret was why did I wait so long to replace the G1?

I noticed something interesting the oher day.

With the Olympus 45mm F1.8 attached, and set to a wide aperture, I happened to notice the aperture was stopped down. Hmmm. That’s odd. I’m used to the aperture being wide open until the shutter is snapped. Some experiments are in order. Snap the shutter the apeture opens as expected to the set value. But this is wider than the default when focusing and metering???

Try the DOF button. Even more interesting. I can see the ape aperture open up. And looking through the viewfinder with a set aperture of f1.8 there is LESS DOF when the DOF button is pressed. So the default aperture is not wide open???

Ok let’s try the other way. Set aperture to f8. Now I can see the aperture close slightly. And looking in the viewfinder DOF slightly increases.

So note to self. Default aperture is about f5.6 for metering and focus. Be sure to use DOF button for other apertures when composing a shot.

Well regardless of mechanics, I love the WYSIWYG in the EVF. Love it. In my opinion that is a HUGE advantage over optical. I dont’ have to chimp because I know what the exposure is going to look like BEFORE I snap the shutter. (FYI the professional video cameras, dozens to hundreds of $k dollars, have used EVFs for years).

Have any other Olympus OM-D owners noticed this? Thoughts?

(PLEASE DSLR owners, do NOT comment about how youre DSLR works I know how DSLRs work because I own several of them as well as a couple SLRs).

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Don’t have the Olympus, but I do have a Fuji. I do like the WYSIWYG. More than that: quality of product, firmware updates rather than a new model, light weight, focus peaking, frame rate, simplicity of controls, superior WiFi ( I use mine to shoot remotely and to download without removing the card, PITA card readers, cords, etc. some of the controls are “old school” even allowing a use of the old screw in cable releases. And then there are the lenses: the 18-55 “kit lens” is way superior to those made by Nikon. (Ever wonder why they make so many versions?). Eventually, I will replace all of my Nikon gear. There is so much to like about mirrorless— regardless of who makes it..

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I understand where you are coming from. I will use my Nikon lenses for SLR work, but ultimately I can see moving all my digital work to my Olympus and future generations of it.

Anyway, have you observed the behavior I mentioned with your Fuji?

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Are you in an auto mode? I typically shoot in manual, so I haven’t noticed what you have observed. Hopefully Clint will chime in as he is an experienced OM user.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Weird! No, I do not own the Zuiko 45mm f1.8 I use a Sigma Art 60mm f2.8 or my Zuiko 12-40 f2.8 Pro lens but I have never experienced anything like what you are experiencing now.
Time to give Olympus a call?

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

I haven't noticed this either...but...that's not saying that it's not acting like that...next time I shoot with that lens and the em1ii, I'll see if I can get mine to replicate that.

wrangler5 Loc: Missouri

On an EM1.1 and Pen-F, the aperture on my 45/1.8 remains wide open at all times except during image capture.

jcboy3

I put my 45mm f/1.8 on my EM-5 mk II, and the aperture was wide open at all modes and aperture settings. I configured preview on my front function button (usually have peaking assigned), and the aperture closes down when preview is active.

I don't know what setting you might have that is causing that. I tried changing power boost in manual mode; no effect. Aperture is always wide open.

Are you seeing this in very bright sunlight? Try bringing the camera indoors and see if it still does it.

Otherwise, I suggest a reset to factory default and see if it's still doing it.

Also, check your focus and exposure accuracy. Focus accuracy could be affected by a stopped down aperture. Exposure accuracy could be affected if the lens is stopped down but the camera thinks otherwise.

I cannot think of any reason for the lens to be stopped down prior to exposure unless preview is active. If you can't get it to open up, I would consider service options.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

No M exposure mode.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

does it act this way in Aperture or Shutter Priority?

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I have the same camera you have and I adore mine also! I don't have this problem, but then I don't have that lens. Do you have the same issue with other lenses? I have the 14-150II, 25, 17, and 75-300. There may be something going on deep in the menus so you might want to try restoring the original factory resets. Do you have "Mastering the OM-D E M5 Mark II" published by Rocky Nook? I can't tell you how many times that book has bailed me out.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I don’t see the operation as a problem, but I find it interesting that it operates that way.

I have not done the experiment with any other lenses. I plan to do that.

Yes there could be some setting that resulted in that operation. It doesn’t bother me but resetting to factory defaults would definitely bother me! Lol. No I don’t have that book and thank you for the tip!

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Yes

JD750 Loc: SoCal

This is very good information to know that you have the same lens and camera and it is NOT doing that.

More work to be done now by me. I’ll post updates when I get them.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

So far I haven't had to resort to the reset, knock on wood! I would hate that too.