Olympus EM1X Setup Tutorial

This video is in two parts, first is a short talk on the five main reasons to upgrade from the EM1X from another Olympus camera. The second is a set of 14 customizations I've made to my cameras for use in portrait and event work.

EM1x Customizations:

1. My default camera profile - Camera 1 - Picture Mode – Muted – Customized with lower contrast (helps approx.. the raw file)
2. Back button focus Gear – A1 – AEL/AFL – SAF – Mode 3 | CAF – Mode 4 | Half Way AF – Inoperable
3. AF point linked to orientation -Gear – A2 – Orientation Linked
4. MF Clutch disabled - Gear – A4 – MF Clutch - Inoperative
5. Quickly switching S-AF to C-AF Gear- B1 – Fn Lever Function – Mode 2 Then set to C-AF Five Points
6. Quickly recentering AF point Gear - B1 – Center Button AF Select - HP
7. Switching dials for SS and Aperture Gear – B1 - Dial Function – Switch F/SS – FN Lever Mode 2
8. Custom buttons Gear – B1 - Button Faction –
a. (+/- )set to SOVF (both normal and vertical)
b. Top (Fn) button front set to WB
9. Auto 100% Magnification in image review - Gear – D2 – Default Setting – Equally Value
10. Beep - Gear – D4 _Beep - Off
11. WB automatically linked to flash WB - Gear – F - Flash white balance – F – Flash WB – Off
12. Auto warm color - Gear – G – keep warm color – off
13. Copyright - Gear – H1 – copyright
14. Dual Card Setup - Gear - H1 – Card Slot Settings – Dual Independent (down arrow)

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[peggyhanson]

Thanks so much Joseph. Can't find a readable book on the M1X so your video is the next best option. Yours has been more helpful than any I've seen so far.

[mickmacson]

I found somehtng new ... Linked orientation - very useful ... That manual clutch tripped me ONCE, when I unpacked my mk2 I thought "Oh NO, it's faulty" - a second later, the light came on. Great explanation and justification of all your choices - your settings are of course not all for all of us, but the knowledge is handy.
As an aside, your voice, tone and mannerisms remind me of Christopher Walz without the accent. That's not a bad thing :) Subscribed.

[adriancondon]

Brilliant Joseph, just going to grab my EM1X and do a few changes to the menus. I shoot mainly landscapes and bird photography. Thanks

[DylanFan]

Awesome and so helpful and clear. Thanks so much. Hard to find a video that doesn't focus so much on the features like Live ND

[davidblack]

Great video. It was very helpful. I am going to have to rewatch it with camera in hand.

[AnastasTarpanov]

It's interesting how differently we can customize this camera, but hey that's why we have all these options.

[skamradt]

I love the physical 1-2 switch as you can set up different custom button settings for both positions. My 1 is normal shooting (no back button focus), 2 is manual shooting (with back button focus). I can easily feel with my thumb to switch it without removing my eye from the viewfinder.

[EyesSquared]

Hurray for swapping shutter speed and aperture control on the control dials! I'm right there with you Joe, same historic logic applies to me. Great vid BTW!

[jeanmarcguillemaut]

Great video, Joseph.
Thank you for keeping the duration to 25 minutes (there is so much more to say...).
One comment : instead of the "punch joystick" setup in order to return the focus point to the Home Position, you can also press and hold the OK button for the same purpose (info from Tony Phillips in his book, on the E-M1 mark ii ; Friedman Archive press).

[LuigiH]

Excellent and really useful information! The EM1X is a great tool but it requires getting use to as it is so highly adaptable to personal shooting requirements and taste. I found your suggestions for customisation were well thought out and deserve serious consideration. Thanks!

[docadify]

Thanks :-) i am new to the Olympus System and love your inputs!

[卢耶底]

Got 1x on Black Friday and came back to learn your tutorial. Thank you since I had the em1ii I have learnt a lot from you. How are you lately, It's been so long.

[doncooper]

The EVF is much much better. That was the first thing I noticed. 

Live ND is also a neat feature (though probably not for weddings) and handheld Hi-Res is drop dead simple.

Hadn't thought about using the lever for switching between C-AF and S-AF. Have to try that. I use the Custom Modes for that since other things (like Auto ISO) also change if it's movement versus a more static subject.

[baaning]

Thanks a lot, Joseph. Got the X a month ago and like when I got the m2 your detailled and well argued settings overview provides a great input to get the best out these great cameras. I really appreciate your work👍

[kbruff]

1/20/2022, Thank you for sharing this information.

[rahnsidebotham]

Thanks, I went for upgrade and like the performance so far, though there is a lot to be learned.

[stevekydd]

Thanks Joseph, this is all very useful.

[dolphabernethy]

Very helpful! I’ve been looking for a tutorial on the E-M1X

[robertwilson]

Thanks for your excellent video Joseph !!

[lilianhijdra]

Thank you for your clear explanation.
I recently got an Olympus E-m1x. When I use the C setting (1 to 4) and lock it with the c-lock function, this only works 1x. If I go back to another setting M or A and come back to C the c-lock lock no longer works and I have to select them all again first. What am I doing wrong?