It's been really long overdue, but high end Olympus camera users will finally be getting Profoto AirTTL radio strobe support. Years ago, Olympus announced their initiative to create a professional style of mirrorless camera with the original OMD EM5. Then the OMD EM1 came out and the Mk II versions for each of those cameras–and it was still missing a fantastic off-camera flash option that had full integration into the Olympus system. But today, that changes with Profoto now coming on board to offer support for their AirTTL flashes. To that end, Profoto is releasing the new Profoto Air Remote TTL-O.
All this support comes with a brand new firmware update for the Olympus OMD EM1 Mk II, Olympus OMD EM5 Mk II and the Olympus Pen-F.
This new firmware update brings with it a number of other changes like midtone adjustment. If you're one of those photographers who loves to mess with the clarity setting then you'll like this. Other really cool features include setting the camera to spot metering mode and moving that accordingly with the autofocus point, improved AF targeting selection using the LCD screen, and a load of other stuff.
Two of these features: in particular the AF/spot metering linking and the Profoto AirTTL remote have been long overdue. Canon, Sony and Olympus seem to be the only ones who do the former, and that's a feature that has been long overdue for portrait photographers who backlight a subject and many other occasions.
Very personally speaking, I never have faith in manufacturers when it comes to flashes and working with third party companies for better support. For example, Sony's own wireless flash system is incredibly lacking. Further, I never thought Olympus would actually do it and more importantly, I never thought that they would do it before Fujifilm. Fujifilm these days has been cited in sales to be larger than Micro Four Thirds, yet I'm honestly not sure why they haven't tried to work with a third party manufacturer for TTL Flash Support; especially since they have a medium format camera system now.
For me, this is a fantastic reason for many photographers to consider Olympus more seriously. There are loads out there that simply write them off because of the smaller sensor. Yes, it won't perform like the others out there but you can work with it to get great images. Additionally, Olympus cameras are arguably the most featured packed on the market. I mean, hand-holding an exposure for 15 seconds? That's insane.
The press release is below.
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., May 8, 2017 — Today, Olympus announces a series of powerful new firmware updates that enhance the performance of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, Olympus PEN-F and select M.ZUIKO® PRO and PREMIUM lenses. The updates are available immediately and are designed to bolster Olympus cameras and lenses with the latest functionality, including true compatibility with the new Profoto Air Remote TTL-O, to strengthen the performance for the professional and enthusiast photographer.
Olympus is dedicated to providing ongoing product functionality and performance improvements to expand the capabilities of their cameras. The E-M1 Mark II, Olympus's latest flagship camera designed to withstand the rigors of professional use and deliver outstanding images, is upgraded to Version 1.2. The E-M5 Mark II, a high-performance compact system camera that features Olympus's advanced in-body 5-Axis Image Stabilization, is upgraded to Version 3.0. And the PEN-F, a beautifully crafted camera with creative functions ideal for street shooters and those with an affinity for sophisticated industrial design, is upgraded to Version 2.0.
The recent updates are comprehensive and go beyond compatibility with the Profoto Air Remote TTL-O. The E-M5 Mark II has been enhanced with features that include "Save Settings and Mysets" for saving camera settings on a computer, and a midtone adjustment function has been added to Highlight & Shadow Control for even greater control over the tonal quality of images. The PEN-F now offers touch-to-select Art Filters while viewing the effect in real time, and users can set the slowest shutter speed allowed before the camera raises the sensitivity in ISO AUTO. For the E-M1 Mark II, High Res Shot and Focus Stacking Modes are now compatible with non-Olympus flashes, and AF HOME settings are saved when the camera is turned off.
Firmware Version 1.1 for the M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO and Firmware Version 1.2 for the M.ZUIKO Digital ED 300mm f/4.0 IS PRO improves silent sequential shooting performance when image stabilization is active on the E-M1 Mark II. Firmware Version 1.1 for the M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO also improves 5-Axis Sync IS performance when paired with the E-M5 Mark II and the E-M1 Mark II.
Main Features
The latest firmware upgrade delivers compatibility between the Profoto Air Remote TTL-O and the E-M1 Mark II, E-M5 Mark II and PEN-F models. The Profoto Air Remote TTL-O wirelessly integrates the Profoto Air TTL Flash with these cameras, providing Olympus users with seamless integration with products from one of the leading manufacturers of lighting and light-shaping tools.
Simply attach the Profoto Air Remote TTL-O to the hot shoe for quick remote control of all functions. For more information on which functions can be used, please see the Profoto website: http://profoto.com
The convenient "Save Settings and Mysets" function has been added to the E-M5 Mark II and PEN-F to easily save the user's customized settings on their computer and restore them on the camera when necessary. This feature is useful for applying the same settings to multiple cameras and saving complex settings when upgrading firmware.
The new midtone adjustment function has been added to the Highlight & Shadow Control on the E-M5 Mark II to provide control over bright and dark sections of a subject and to give users complete control over the tonal properties of the image.
AF Target Spot Metering is now available on the E-M5 Mark II to effectively link the AF Target position and spot metering area.
Sample images that demonstrate the effects of the Art Filter are now shown at the bottom of the PEN-F's screen. Users can simply view and touch the sample Art Filter image on the screen to instantly activate that option.
It is now possible to control the lowest shutter speed setting on the PEN-F. This allows users to predefine a minimum shutter speed so that the ISO sensitivity increases in low-light situations rather than slowing down the shutter speed. This is convenient for handheld shooting in low-light environments.
The firmware update makes it possible to use touchpad operations on the PEN-F even if your nose touches the rear LCD monitor while looking through the viewfinder. The AF Targeting Pad provides the freedom to move the AF point on the rear LCD monitor using touch operations while keeping your eye on the viewfinder.
The E-M1 Mark II's powerful 50MP High Res Shot and Focus Stacking Modes are now supported with both Olympus flashes and flashes from other manufacturers.
When shooting through the E-M1 Mark II's viewfinder during Rec View, the camera now automatically switches to the rear LCD monitor for image playback when the eye is moved away from the viewfinder.
Previously, AF HOME settings were reset after the E-M1 Mark II was turned off. The firmware upgrade saves the user's AF HOME settings even if the camera is turned off.
Additional Improvements
(1) M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Version 1.1 and M.ZUIKO Digital ED 300mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Version 1.2 improves silent sequential shooting performance when image stabilization is active on the E-M1 Mark II.
(2) M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Version 1.1 improves 5-Axis Sync IS performance when paired with the E-M5 Mark II and E-M1 Mark II.
Camera Bodies – New Functions and Improvements (Ö indicates a new function)
E-M1 Mark II Ver 1.2 E-M5 Mark II Ver 3.0 PEN-FVer 2.0
Compatibility with Profoto Air Remote TTL-O Ö Ö Ö "Save Settings and Mysets" for saving camera settings on a computer Already available Ö Ö Midtone adjustment function added to Highlight & Shadow Control Already available Ö Already available AF Target Spot Metering provides spot metering at the focus point Already available Ö Already available Touch to select Art Filters while viewing sample images – – Ö Set the shutter speed to begin raising the ISO sensitivity in ISO AUTO Already available – Ö Improved AF Targeting Pad on the rear LCD monitor Already available – Ö High Res Shot and Focus Stacking Mode available on non-Olympus flashes Ö Already available Already available Automatic playback on rear LCD when using Rec View in the viewfinder Ö Already available Already available AF HOME settings saved when camera is turned off Ö Already available Already available Improved viewfinder color reproduction Ö – – Improved stability for battery level display Ö – –
M.ZUIKO Lenses – New Improvements (Ö indicates a new function)
E-M1 Mark II E-M5 Mark II E-M1 M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Ver 1.1 and M.ZUIKO Digital ED 300mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Ver 1.2 improves silent sequential shooting performance when image stabilization is active Ö*4 – – M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Ver 1.1 improves 5-Axis Sync IS performance Already available Ö Ö*4 E-M1 Mark II must be upgraded to firmware Ver. 1.2
Source: Olympus Finally Brings Profoto AirTTL Support For High End Cameras
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