Beginner's Guide for Olympus PEN e-PM2

Guy Parsons has a user guide to most Olympus PEN cameras up at: http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~parsog/olyepl1/50-epl5-comments.html

Your EPM2 will work mostly the same way as the EPL5 with the exception of having the mode dial on top (so MYSETS are not going to be easy to access, but the rest will be just about the same).

-J

empedokles wrote:

Hi I just got this camera, my first non point and shoot. I was wondering if someone could point me to a guide or thread, perhaps on this site, with basic suggestions for setting it up for the best shots. Trying to take pictures of my new baby especially. Out of the box in auto mode, photos indoors with artificial light are less than impressive. Thanks.

Empedokles

Which lens are you using?  I found the kit 14-42 provided disappointing results, so the first thing I did was get the oly 45mm 1.8 and it has made all the difference to my indoor shots.  I bought it used but in great condition for $275, so there are deals to be had.  The oly 17mm 1.8 was another good addition for me, but any of the fast oly or panny primes will bring out the best in your E-PM2.

Other than that, whatever you're finding unsatisfactory in auto mode you can probably fix by going into A or P mode and playing with the settings.  Make sure to turn on the Super Control Panel so that you can quickly access all the important settings.  It's kind of hidden -- I believe you go to Menus > Custom Menus > Display > and then turn Live SCP on for all modes.  That makes it much easier to play with your settings until you find what works for you.

Enjoy your camera -- and your new baby!

Yes I am using the kit lens 14-42, though I also have the kit 40-150 lens.

Thanks to all for your helpful links and suggestions. Indeed the indoor evening photos were very yellow. It is an odd thing for the auto settings to be set up this way -- if that is what's responsible. Someone like me, coming from a point and shoot, is going to start out using the auto settings and will expect better images than from a (cheap) point and shoot. Fortunately, daylight and flash pictures were a different story, and of course I'll be exploring more "manual" options soon.

Thanks again.