E-PL6 cannot adjust shutter in Manual mode?

baxters wrote:

On the EPL5, switch to M and the wheel only changes aperture. Push the up on thr 4-way button, it changes the screen to where the aperture and shutter can be changed by the 4-way. . Left/right change shutter, Up/Down for aperture.

The up button works the same way in M mode on the EPL9, so bet there's no change on the EPL6. DIfference on the EPL9 is going into M mode only lets the wheel change the shutter. There is probably a setting that prioritizes shutter or aperture as the initial choice in M mode,

There is in the E-PL7! Exactly as I described in my response.

BTW - you cannot change the aperture with a camera dial or button on a manual lens. 

JamiesonS wrote:

I've had my E-PL6 for a number of years now and I don't shoot full Manual that much, but I do have a couple of adapted OM lenses that I like to play with.

Typically when I switch to M mode I can't adjust the shutter speed... it just doesn't respond. Aperture and everything else works fine. If I then switch the mode dial to something other than M and then back to M I can adjust shutter speed just fine... but usually only one time. After that it won't change until I switch the modes again.

Since it DOES work after I flip the modes I'm thinking this is not a mechanical issue but possibly a firmware issue? (I have the most recent loaded.) Or is it possible I have something else set that is causing this behavior?

Since the E-PL6 (like the E-PL2 to the current E-PL9 and E-PL10) has only one control dial (the earlier E-PL1 didn’t even have that and relied on buttons only), in M mode you need to tell the camera whether you wish to change shutter speed or aperture - it will default to the one you have set as your preference. To change the other value, simply press the “up” direction of your 4-way controller on the back of the camera, marked with +/- in a diagonally-split square (this function normally controls exposure compensation in the P, S and A modes) and your control dial (the ring around the 4-way controller on the E-PL6) will temporarily switch from the default parameter in M mode (in your case, aperture) to shutter speed. You can tell when it is in this alternative mode by the presence of paired up/down and left/right arrows in front of the shutter speed and aperture. It reverts to the default priority on half pressing the shutter button, pressing OK, changing mode, playback, menu operation or taking a shot. Whilst the arrows show, you can also choose to use the r-way press-button function to change the shutter speed and aperture, holding down for a faster continuous change than spinning the ring would provide, if preferred.

Sometimes the operation of this combined 4-way press button/rear ring array can get twitchy due to oxidisation in the related models which use it (E-PL2, 3, 5, 6 and E-PM1 and 2). In this case, it can become over-sensitive and skippy, or think it is being pressed when only rotated, or vice versa. Accidental presses when rotating by the user simply pressing in a little without realising whilst turning are also a possibility with any brand using this design (they were commonplace a decade ago but many disliked them for this reason).

If it is oxidised contacts, spinning the dial hard, fast and repeatedly may help rectify it for a while.

if you like the design, sensor and operation of the E-PL6, look out for an E-PL7 or E-PL8 (the latter still available new), which have moved the control dial to encircle the shutter button - much more robust as it only rotates (the 4-way push button “ring” remains on the back but with no rotation). They also have much better IBIS and a larger monitor. The newer E-PL9 and 10 also have these improvements but have simplified menus which lose a fair bit of customisation and options, have polycarbonate (but very solid) bodies and are not able to use an optional EVF any more, if you have one. The E-PL9 does have a limited silent shutter facility though (first time in an E-PL model, but a program-only scene mode effectively, with less user control than P-mode). The E-PL10 additionally has the option of fully functional silent shutter use in PASM modes with no user control limits, and can even use it with flash (TTL auto metered flash, too), but only up to 1/20 due to the scan/sweep speed of the 16MP sensor.

baxters wrote:

On the EPL5, switch to M and the wheel only changes aperture. Push the up on thr 4-way button, it changes the screen to where the aperture and shutter can be changed by the 4-way. . Left/right change shutter, Up/Down for aperture.

The up button works the same way in M mode on the EPL9, so bet there's no change on the EPL6. DIfference on the EPL9 is going into M mode only lets the wheel change the shutter. There is probably a setting that prioritizes shutter or aperture as the initial choice in M mode,

See my lengthy reply which prevented me from seeing your post as I was typing it. The +/- (up arrow) feature on the 4-way rear controller temporarily switches the control dial value to the other one in M-mode on the E-PL9 and 10, as on their predecessors.

Actually, I see you said that, so view this as a “hear hear”. I’ve just double checked my E-PL10 (same applies to E-PL9) and in fact the option to choose whether the control dial defaults to altering the shutter speed or aperture still remains on these models despite their frequent loss of other configuration features in the name of simplifying the menus - it's in the Dial Function segment of gear menu B - Button Functions, which is similar to the earlier models.