Olympus System firmware 1.5 update - what a faff!

Today for the first time I decided to update my OM-1 to the new firmware version 1.5. Wondering if anyone else has found it such a torturous and long winded exercise?

If the only way to update firmware is by downloading "OM Workspace" and as if having to input the camera serial number before it can even access the software isn’t annoying enough, the actual firmware process is so complicated. Yes, I did it, but only after watching a guidance video. I can assure you I’m no slouch when it comes to technology, but this tested my patience . A number of fellow Olympus OM users have now asked me if I’d update their bodies as they are non technical and totally confused by the process.

Why can’t OS Systems just issue a firmware.update data file which can be downloaded onto an SD card then into the camera and make it as simple a process as other manufactures do?

Anyone else like to comment please?

Well most OM Systems users will have already downloaded the WS software, since it is free, has AI noise reduction included and is the only software that does a good job processing high resolution RAW files, so the software download is probably assumed.

As for difficulty, it is something my wife can easily do even though she would know nothing about downloading a file to an SD card and doing an update. However, she does know how to follow instructions.

Downing a file and then updating firmware/software was at one time the preferred way to do it. I even had to have a floppy disk to update the firmware for my computer motherboard and do it from the BIOS.

Now when I want to update the firmware to my Gigabyte motherboard, I just open the Gigabyte software in windows and click update and wait for it to download and update and restart my computer.

The first WD hard drive I updated by downloading a file and updating the hard drive. When I needed to update my WD SN850X NVMe SSD and wanted to download the update (I was having a problem with my internet), I contacted them and was told, they the no longer supported that process. The only option was to use their software and let it update the firmware.

Samsung does the same and I had to download their software and let it update my 990 Pro NVMe as the only option.

Most companies are abandoning the old process of downloading a file for updating firmware and choosing what they believe is a better process of using their software to control the update.

Interesting feedback. I for one thought quite the opposite and never had an issue with the process. I suppose it ain't easy to please everyone. Good luck with the update.

I have been using my phone with OI Share to do my camera FW updates. Very simple process.

Now that you have done it once, the next time is a snap. Plus Workspace off loads all your settings and custom modes before the update and then reloads them after the update is complete. And, now that you have the Workspace software, try using it for your raw conversions, best I’ve found and it will even apply all your camera settings to the raw conversions.

Now that you have done it it will be easier to follow along maybe next time.

Workspace allows you to save your settings as a SET file to your computer. This is a good thing to do as when you have to reset your camera or you change things and want to go back to what was working, just use workspace and reload the settings from the set file.

I always save my settings first before doing any firmware updates, just in case.

richardD300 said:

Today for the first time I decided to update my OM-1 to the new firmware version 1.5. Wondering if anyone else has found it such a torturous and long winded exercise?

If the only way to update firmware is by downloading "OM Workspace" and as if having to input the camera serial number before it can even access the software isn’t annoying enough, the actual firmware process is so complicated. Yes, I did it, but only after watching a guidance video. I can assure you I’m no slouch when it comes to technology, but this tested my patience . A number of fellow Olympus OM users have now asked me if I’d update their bodies as they are non technical and totally confused by the process.

Why can’t OS Systems just issue a firmware.update data file which can be downloaded onto an SD card then into the camera and make it as simple a process as other manufactures do?

Anyone else like to comment please?

Click to expand...

Never heard of "Olympus System" nor "OS System". "...Olympus OM users..." are you talking about film the cameras Olympus used to make?
I'm being cynical, of course, but it would be good the names right before criticising.

gary0319 said:

Now that you have done it once, the next time is a snap.

Click to expand...

In 6 months time if Om system are to be believed and by which time you’ll have forgotten what you just did and have the stress all over again,

gary0319 said:

Plus Workspace off loads all your settings and custom modes before the update and then reloads them after the update is complete. And, now that you have the Workspace software, try using it for your raw conversions, best I’ve found and it will even apply all your camera settings to the raw conversions.

Click to expand...

Just use phone app OI.Share app. Its very easy to flash firmware with that. Also you can export/import and save your camera settings/modes.

richardD300 said:

Why can’t OS Systems just issue a firmware.update data file which can be downloaded onto an SD card then into the camera and make it as simple a process as other manufactures do?

Anyone else like to comment please?

Click to expand...

You must be joking. The OM way of doing it has important advantages.

They get to know the serial number of your camera, how many pictures you made with it, your name you entered in the exif data (and how it matches other information they already have about you), they can read any internal error codes your camera had and you were not even aware they existed. What was the last update you made and when did you make it. What are your preferred camera settings. And likely more. That is valuable marketing information about you, that others like Panasonic with their primitive SD card update method sadly miss out. Because the SD card update is completely anonymous as there is no connection to the internet.

Think of privacy and data security. Olympus was a medical company, required to comply with and regularly audited to comply with high medical standards. They were not allowed to collect certain device data, and some other data they had to keep secure. OM only does consumer goods, where lesser standards apply and things can be done cheaper.

Well, the good news is that you actually can use the SD card method on Olympus and OM cameras too. It also avoids the risk of bricking your Olympus or OM camera or lens, which is not unheard of:

https://www.mu-43.com/threads/so-you-want-to-update-your-olympus-but-are-nervous-try-this.110167/

It sounds like a skill issue.

It actually isn't difficult at all.

From the positive side you'll only have to do it once again, in the autumn.

There is a way to update via SD card https://github.com/iKenndac/om-1-manual-firmware-install

I haven't used it myself because i don't own an OM1, but know two others who have successfully. Saying that I did update my E-M5 ii using exactly the same method from a website known as lightsnowdev

It would appear I over reacted! I have had experience of Nikon and still have my Sony and Fuji cameras. Updating firmware always seems a much simpler and intuitive way of updating those cameras.

I didn’t know that, until pointed out, I could update the OM camera from an iPhone, let alone that updating via an SD card was also an option. Also, I hadn’t realised the power of the software package as a RAW processor. Most other manufacturers dedicated software always seemed to be pretty poor compared to the editing power of PS.

So a steep learning curve for me! Thanks for the comments.

--
richardD700
website: http://www.pixels4u.co.uk
flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/richardd300/

richardD300 said:

Today for the first time I decided to update my OM-1 to the new firmware version 1.5. Wondering if anyone else has found it such a torturous and long winded exercise?

If the only way to update firmware is by downloading "OM Workspace" and as if having to input the camera serial number before it can even access the software isn’t annoying enough, the actual firmware process is so complicated. Yes, I did it, but only after watching a guidance video. I can assure you I’m no slouch when it comes to technology, but this tested my patience . A number of fellow Olympus OM users have now asked me if I’d update their bodies as they are non technical and totally confused by the process.

Why can’t OS Systems just issue a firmware.update data file which can be downloaded onto an SD card then into the camera and make it as simple a process as other manufactures do?

Anyone else like to comment please?

Click to expand...

Your lucky. I can’t even get WS to update anything on my 2017 Monterey MacBook Pro. In spite of carefully following the extensive start up changes advised in the OM faqs..

In the end I updated on my phone. Much simpler … until Imadd an OM1 mll then the phone only handles one camera.

Ther is an unofficial sx card update, but you may have to search this forum for it.

Bobapingu said:

richardD300 said:

Today for the first time I decided to update my OM-1 to the new firmware version 1.5. Wondering if anyone else has found it such a torturous and long winded exercise?

If the only way to update firmware is by downloading "OM Workspace" and as if having to input the camera serial number before it can even access the software isn’t annoying enough, the actual firmware process is so complicated. Yes, I did it, but only after watching a guidance video. I can assure you I’m no slouch when it comes to technology, but this tested my patience . A number of fellow Olympus OM users have now asked me if I’d update their bodies as they are non technical and totally confused by the process.

Why can’t OS Systems just issue a firmware.update data file which can be downloaded onto an SD card then into the camera and make it as simple a process as other manufactures do?

Anyone else like to comment please?

Click to expand...

Never heard of "Olympus System" nor "OS System". "...Olympus OM users..." are you talking about film the cameras Olympus used to make?
I'm being cynical, of course, but it would be good the names right before criticising.

Click to expand...

Pedantry aside , it was pretty clear what the OP was talking about

richardD300 said:

Today for the first time I decided to update my OM-1 to the new firmware version 1.5. Wondering if anyone else has found it such a torturous and long winded exercise?

If the only way to update firmware is by downloading "OM Workspace" and as if having to input the camera serial number before it can even access the software isn’t annoying enough, the actual firmware process is so complicated. Yes, I did it, but only after watching a guidance video. I can assure you I’m no slouch when it comes to technology, but this tested my patience . A number of fellow Olympus OM users have now asked me if I’d update their bodies as they are non technical and totally confused by the process.

Why can’t OS Systems just issue a firmware.update data file which can be downloaded onto an SD card then into the camera and make it as simple a process as other manufactures do?

Anyone else like to comment please?

Click to expand...

You will get the usual OM diehards pointing out your ineptitude Fact is despite the "it's easy mantra" and I have never had any issues with firmware. There have been plenty of folk over the years who have posted issues , there seems to be more issues from Apple users

The likes of Nikon and Panasonic { only other makes I have done firmware upgrades with} method is more straightforward and foolproof

cba_melbourne said:

Well, the good news is that you actually can use the SD card method on Olympus and OM cameras too. It also avoids the risk of bricking your Olympus or OM camera or lens, which is not unheard of:

https://www.mu-43.com/threads/so-you-want-to-update-your-olympus-but-are-nervous-try-this.110167/

Click to expand...

The irony is Olympus has most likely developed the OMW firmware function because too many bricked their camera or couldn't follow the simple instructions with the SD Card method. It ain't fail safe either. Many people have for some reason difficulty following instructions.

--
Roger

You forget that firmware updates aren't limited to enthusiasts and pros. P&S cameras, used by a wild array of people also needed firmware updates, and for some of the people downloading a file, copying it to an SD card (which by the way contained all the photos they ever taken) onto the root, booting while pressing a certain button was a daunting task. I have friends who are like that and can see why Olympus tried a different approach with hand-holding style instructions, which for some reason seems frustrating for some. Now you have not one but 3 ways to update firmware, pick the one that works for you.

--
Roger

Regor250 said:

You forget that firmware updates aren't limited to enthusiasts and pros. P&S cameras, used by a wild array of people also needed firmware updates, and for some of the people downloading a file, copying it to an SD card (which by the way contained all the photos they ever taken) onto the root, booting while pressing a certain button was a daunting task. I have friends who are like that and can see why Olympus tried a different approach with hand-holding style instructions, which for some reason seems frustrating for some. Now you have not one but 3 ways to update firmware, pick the one that works for you.

Click to expand...

A cursory search through the forum will show a good number of folk having issue with the OM way of doing things. The fact that there are rescue methods online for folk who have had problems with it suggests that there are more than a few having issues with it , You have replied to some of them yourself

https://lightsnowdev.com/Olympus/index.html



As is always the case here there will always be a stampede of folk rushing to defend the honour of OM systems.

It is a bit comical how despite Olympus abandoning FT , getting rid of their camera division to a carve out company that the usual suspects simply changed their die hard allegiance to the new company with zero history of photography

--
Jim Stirling:
“It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another to put him in possession of truth.” Locke
Feel free to tinker with any photos I post

There are 2 other ways to update the OM-1 firmware.

• As others have said, the OM OIShare wireless Android/Apple phone app will update the firmware. I think the OM-1 mark I is the first model where you can update the camera wirelessly. However, setup for OIShare is also a multi-step procedure. I would imagine the OM-5 and OM-1 mark II also can be updated.
• There is a back door method that Olympus and presumably OM Systems reps use to update firmware. Basically each camera has a model number (OM-1 mark I is 143). You put the firmware onto the SD file in a directory with a filename that includes the model number, and then power up the camera holding some buttons. That way the service techs could update the firmware of any camera using a single SD file, and they did not have to have the internet available.

In the past, Olympus would offer a day of cleaning and firmware updating at selected brick & mortar stores. During these events, I've seen the techs put in the SD card into cameras and update the firmware automatically.

One downside of using the SD card method is there is no known way to update the firmware of lenses, tele-converters, and flashes. There may be a way since those files are available to update the firmware of Olympus/OM lenses if you use a Panasonic body, but I don't know how the file is named.

At present, OM/Olympus does not check if the firmware being updated is newer than the firmware in the camera, which allows you to go back to older firmware. I know I've used this once or twice when the firmware had a bug in it, while we waited for the official fix to come out. While Panasonic does use the SD card method for firmware, they will not let you go back to earlier versions.