The interface designed for the
E-1 is quite clear, and generally options are self-explanatory.
In fact, the options available on the E-1 are often less complex
than those found on consumer cameras from Olympus.
Of the 4 sections that make up the menu system of the E-1, 2 are for Setup:
EV Step: sets the EV increment for exposure compensation.
ISO Boost: allows using 1600 and 3200 ISO.
White Balance Compensation: to compensate either the Auto
or Preset white balance (3000K to 7500K) within a range of ±7
values.
SQ: sets the image size and compression to be assigned to
the SQ mode.
AEL/AFL: allows selecting the AE or AF function
to be performed when the AEL button is pressed. Multiple
variations are offered for the function of the AEL button
and of the shutter release.
Dial: allows the selection of a combination of functions
(program shift, aperture setting, or shutter speed setting)
to be assigned to the Main dial and or/Sub dial for each
mode (P/A/S).
Focus Ring: selects the rotational direction of
the lens' focus ring.
S-AF+MF: allows fine-tuning the focus in the Single
Autofocus mode using the focusing ring.
Release Priority S: allows releasing the shutter
in the S-AF (Single Auto Focus) mode without waiting for
focusing or flash charging to be finished.
Release Priority C: allows releasing the shutter
in the C-AF (Continuous Auto Focus) mode by pressing the
shutter release all the way, even while adjusting the focus.
Reset Lens: On or Off. When On, reinitializes the
focus point. When Off, the lens' focus point stays where
it was when the E-1 was turned off.
PCMode: The camera can be set to transfer
photos to a computer (Storage) or be controlled from a computer
(Control) using Olympus Studio by USB or FireWire.
Erase Setting: selects the initial position on the
YES/NO options when the menu options for erasing pictures
or formatting is called up.
Cleaning Mode: lifts the mirror up when the shutter
release is pressed allowing the CCD to be blown free of dust.
Custom Reset Setting: Resets any of the 4 memories
that serve to recall personalized preferences.
The last part of the E-1's menu, and the second section of the
Setup menu adds:
Date and Time: to set the date and time on the E-1.
File Name: Auto (continuous numbering) or Reset.
Rec View: displays the image that has just been
captured while it is being saved.
Beep Function: turns off the warning beeps.
Monitor Brightness: serves to adjust the screen's
brightness.
Sleep: sets the delay before the E-1 turns off (Off,
1, 3, 5 or 10 minutes).
Language: sets the interface language (Japanese,
English, French, German, Spanish, Korean).
Video Out: NTSC or PAL.
The E-1 is supplied with both a printed version of its manual and a PDF
(Adobe Acrobat) version. The manual is extremely detailed, and offers
a clear progression to mastering the camera. This said, occasionally
some of the more advanced functions are not explained as clearly as they
should be.
Software
The Olympus E-1 comes with 2 CD-ROMS.
The first contains Olympus Viewer and Olympus Studio
1.0, a 30 day trial version of the $149 (US) software
that permits fine control over RAW images and remote control
of the E-1 when it is connected to a computer. The second disc
contains a full version of Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 and
a host of lessons and tips about how to get the most out
of the E-1.
Olympus Viewer is a simple program to import, organize,
and edit images.
Photos can be viewed as thumbnails, or one image at a time which can be
zoomed in or out. Shooting data can also be displayed, and so can a histogram
of the image.
Viewer can also be used to see and modify RAW format images prior to re
saving them as TIFF or JPEG.
Raw images can be adjusted for exposure
compensation, white balance, saturation, contrast, sharpness,
noise reduction and colour space.
Olympus Studio 1.0 is offered as a trial version, valid for one month from
the time it is installed.
While most of the editing options and functions offered with
Olympus Viewer are the same in Studio, it adds more advanced
image editing functions, and camera control.
As an image organizer, it provides similar functionality as Viewer. Photos
can be seen as thumbnails, or singly, or with their shooting data and a
histogram.
With RAW images, while the editing tools provided in Studio match those
of Viewer, the program adds image editing for all images , not only those
captured in RAW format and features a faster RAW processing engine.
Studio also adds improved batch processing
features that can help a professional photographer work faster.
Beyond these differences, Olympus Studio provides for remote control of
the E-1, a critical tool for product or merchandise photographers. With
Studio the E-1 can be configured and shot from a computer, or can operate
independently and use the computer to store shots, through either its FireWire
or USB 2.0 connection.
Studio also allows all shooting parameters to be saved to a file and reloaded
at a later point when the photo requirements are similar; and allows custom
file naming which is useful when large numbers of photos are required for
a specific job. Finally, time lapse photography can be performed.
Photoshop Elements, contained
on the other disc included with this North American version of
the E-1, is derived from Photoshop and is specifically geared
towards digital imaging. Photoshop Elements provides powerful
image editing tools, including layering and precise cloning,
and adds a host of tips and step by step instructions for many
image editing tasks.
Interface & Software
