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D I G I T A L   T E C H N I C A L   S U P P O R T  

 

O L Y M P U S   I M A G I N G   A M E R I C A   I N C .  

 

( 8 8 8 )   5 5 3 - 4 4 4 8  

 

h t t p : / / s u p p o r t . o l y m p u s a m e r i c a . c o m

 

 

©2008 Olympus Imaging America Inc. 

Page 2 of 26 

Last updated on February 28, 2008 

The magnesium-alloy frame and the seals around all controls and ports make the E-3 a 
rugged camera and the only truly weatherproof DSLR available today. The 11-point biaxial 

autofocus system provides numerous autofocus setup options and accurate autofocus in 
low-light situations. 
The built-in flash also serves as a control for the wireless, remote-controlled flash system, 

built around the optional FL-50R and FL-36R accessory flash units. The system enables 
camera control of up to three groups of individually programmed flashes. 
The E-3 is also fully compatible with the accessory flash systems developed around the 

E-1, so the equipment you may already be using can be used with the E-3. 
The E-3’s bright optical viewfinder is the only one on a digital SLR that shows 100% of 

the image area with a 1.15X magnification. The interactive control panel on the LCD 
monitor and the numerous controls on the surface of the camera enable rapid 

management and selection of the E-3’s features. 
The E-3 is bundled with OLYMPUS Master

®

 software and a trial version of OLYMPUS 

Studio

®

, which enables computer-tethered shooting and computer camera control. 

The E-3 features Live View.  What is it, and how does it work? 

The Live View feature provides the next generation of composition control in digital SLR 

photography. It allows the photographer to use the LCD monitor as a viewfinder to 
compose shots or to shoot while viewing an enlarged display on the monitor.   

Can I preview the adjustments I make to camera settings on the 
Live View LCD monitor? 

With LIVE VIEW BOOST set to OFF, while setting up a shot, changes you make to the 
Exposure Compensation setting are previewed on the Live View monitor so you can see 

their effects before shooting.  The effects are previewed in all shooting modes, including 
those in which the camera automatically adjusts exposure and/or white balance. 
With LIVE VIEW BOOST set to ON, the camera automatically adjusts the brightness 
level and displays the subject on the monitor for easier confirmation. The effect of the 

exposure compensation adjustments will not be shown on the monitor. 
The eyepiece shutter should be closed so that light entering through the viewfinder does 
not affect the exposure while shooting with Live View.  
It is also possible to preview the effect of the Image Stabilizer on the LCD monitor while 

using Live View. Hold down the [IS] button to see the preview. While in that position, 
press the shutter button fully to take a picture. Release the [IS] button or hold it for 

several seconds to turn off the Image Stabilizer.  
Note: When IMAGE STABILIZER is set to OFF, pressing and holding the [IS] button 
activates the image stabilizer in I.S. 1 mode. 

What is the origin and meaning of the Supersonic Wave Filter (SSWF™)? 
Where does the dust go? 

The filter is so named because it shakes dust off the image sensor by using supersonic wave 

vibrations. The dropped dust is affixed to a dust-collection component under the filter. 

Is it necessary to clean or change the dust-collection components? 

It is not necessary to clean or change the dust-collection components under normal use 
for several years. The dust-collection system can easily deal with the particles that are a 

result of the dust-reduction system. If the camera is used constantly in severe conditions, 
Olympus recommends that the camera body be sent to an authorized Olympus repair 

service center approximately at an interval of three to five years. As part of Olympus' 
camera service maintenance, the dust-collection components are replaced. 

Summary of Contents for E-3

Page 1: ...thout worrying about dust ruining a shot the stunningly fast TruePic III processor and a 2 5 inch high resolution dual axis wide angle HyperCrystal screen for superior visibility even in direct sunlig...

Page 2: ...ith LIVE VIEW BOOST set to OFF while setting up a shot changes you make to the Exposure Compensation setting are previewed on the Live View monitor so you can see their effects before shooting The eff...

Page 3: ...than the higher quality settings For example it may be preferable to shoot using a lower quality setting when the shots are intended for use on the Internet where small file size is more important tha...

Page 4: ...anel the Control Panel or the camera menu RAW JPEG Four record modes in the E 3 save both a RAW and a JPEG image when a picture is taken This can be advantageous when shots are intended for use in mul...

Page 5: ...Custom White Balance CWB settings in the White Balance menu allow photographers to select more accurate color temperature settings Many commercially available lamps are labeled with color temperature...

Page 6: ...copy photography of old documents the yellow filter brightens the look of yellowed paper ORANGE The effect of the orange filter falls midway between that of the red and yellow filters GREEN The green...

Page 7: ...Custom Function menu Use the arrow pad to scroll through the functions that can be assigned The available functions are OFF This option disables function allocation V One Touch White Balance This func...

Page 8: ...ess to switch to the Underwater Wide shooting mode and to switch between the Underwater Wide and Underwater Macro shooting modes Alternatively turn the main dial while holding down the MODE button to...

Page 9: ...be facing outward When these prerequisites are met launch the software and click on the update function The update process will first poll the camera and lens to determine what firmware versions are...

Page 10: ...are unable to communicate with the firmware in the E System camera bodies Therefore their use in this fashion has the following restrictions Autofocus is not available OM series autofocus lenses canno...

Page 11: ...LCD screen The target area can be repositioned on another area of the image by using the arrow keys on the camera back Pressing the OK button causes the target area to be enlarged The degree of magni...

Page 12: ...kground for a visual effect in the image The result would be a sharply defined subject against a blurred background that might otherwise appear cluttered I have a lens from another manufacturer that h...

Page 13: ...stop determined by a flash meter reading or testing It also allows for use in exotic photographic situations such as scientific and engineering photography beyond the parameters of the camera firmwar...

Page 14: ...ween NORMAL and SMALL AF SENSITIVITY NORMAL AF SENSITIVITY is used for most shooting situations At this setting the camera focuses within the selected AF area and on the surrounding area SMALL AF SENS...

Page 15: ...he same as Spot metering but compensates toward overexposure allowing accurate white reproduction For example with normal Spot metering snow would be captured as grey rather than white The HI Spot Met...

Page 16: ...eras have a default noise filter that is always on Some photographers feel that this reduces detail so Olympus has included the option to not use a noise filter at all If the Noise Filter is set to OF...

Page 17: ...ory and overwrites the directory In both cases the actual digital images are still on the memory card until new images are shot that overwrite the old images Therefore if images are inadvertently eras...

Page 18: ...flashes have four control channels to choose from so the flashes and camera will not receive signals from other Olympus wireless RC flash systems operating nearby The photo below shows the main setup...

Page 19: ...ectronic flash Can I use it on the E 3 Flash units that are not part of the Olympus E System may pose problems if used on the E 3 Thyristor type flash units can be used with the E 3 s Manual shooting...

Page 20: ...e recording medium they are susceptible to damage from impact vibration and strong magnetic fields especially during recording and playback Be sure to carefully read the instructions that come with Mi...

Page 21: ...button on the RM 1 to open the shutter 4 Press the T button on the RM 1 to close the shutter Notes For best results the camera should be set up on a tripod If eight minutes elapse after the W button...

Page 22: ...s multiple lenses Why is this happening If the problem occurs with every shot taken with every accessory lens the camera may be broken However if the problem occurs sporadically and chiefly only after...

Page 23: ...y be too close to the subject matter for that particular lens Lenses have a minimum focusing distance and zoom lenses have different minimum focusing distances at different zoom settings If you back a...

Page 24: ...ity of photographers carry more than one memory card in the event that the memory card in the camera should fill up The E 3 also features an xD Picture Card slot to hold a second card If the capacity...

Page 25: ...function why do I only get one frame instead of three The camera s Drive mode is set to Single Frame shooting Configured this way which is the default setting the shutter button must be pressed for ea...

Page 26: ...may need to be changed for the remote control to be recognized by the camera With the camera on point the RM 1 at the Remote Control lamp on the front of the camera On the RM 1 press the CH button an...

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