peterwgallagher
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I previously used the OM-D EM-1 in the Mark II and Mark III variants. So I was a bit sceptical of the OM Systems claims about Hi-Res mode on the latest camera. Still, hi-resolution is not important to me: I have never found any circumstances where it was necessary for my printed or digital photo output.
After a couple of weeks' use in the field (Tasmanian wilderness) and in tests (the neighbours' brick-wall) I have found the accessibility of the new implementation -- using the 'movie' button and the back dial to choose between Hi-Res modes -- is certainly an improvement. The accuracy/acuity of the results both hand-held and on a tripod are also a little improved.
But the images, whether hand-held or on a tripod, are still not nearly as sharp as normal resolution OM-1 images (the Hi-Res JPEGs OOC are almost as sharp as the regular JPEGs but much less flexible than the RAWs). High frequency areas of landscape images, in particular, can end up looking splotchy in Hi-Res images at full size (as if the details had been rendered with a fine trowel rather than a fine brush).
I've tried various ways to fix this including of course LR sharpening and texture controls (that make some but not much difference).
The most successful sharpening tool that I have found is Topaz "AI" sharpening. It produces a result (using the 'very blurry') setting that is nearly as sharp as the normal-res OM-1 raw image. I have also used FocusMagic in PShop with some improvement but not as much as the Topaz product.
De-mosaicing using the Iridient O-Transformer improves the underlying raw so that LR sharpening and texture controls produce a somewhat better result. I suspect DXO PhotoLab -- when eventually it supports the camera -- will do so too.
But by FAR the best approach I have found is to take a normal-res OM-1 image and upscale it using LR 'Enhance'. This produces an equivalent size RAW image with MUCH better tone, acuity and texture than any of the Hi-Res variants or processing. In fact LR 'enhanced' high-resolution images are easier/quicker to make and equally acute as the OM 'normal resolution' images.
PWG
After a couple of weeks' use in the field (Tasmanian wilderness) and in tests (the neighbours' brick-wall) I have found the accessibility of the new implementation -- using the 'movie' button and the back dial to choose between Hi-Res modes -- is certainly an improvement. The accuracy/acuity of the results both hand-held and on a tripod are also a little improved.
But the images, whether hand-held or on a tripod, are still not nearly as sharp as normal resolution OM-1 images (the Hi-Res JPEGs OOC are almost as sharp as the regular JPEGs but much less flexible than the RAWs). High frequency areas of landscape images, in particular, can end up looking splotchy in Hi-Res images at full size (as if the details had been rendered with a fine trowel rather than a fine brush).
I've tried various ways to fix this including of course LR sharpening and texture controls (that make some but not much difference).
The most successful sharpening tool that I have found is Topaz "AI" sharpening. It produces a result (using the 'very blurry') setting that is nearly as sharp as the normal-res OM-1 raw image. I have also used FocusMagic in PShop with some improvement but not as much as the Topaz product.
De-mosaicing using the Iridient O-Transformer improves the underlying raw so that LR sharpening and texture controls produce a somewhat better result. I suspect DXO PhotoLab -- when eventually it supports the camera -- will do so too.
But by FAR the best approach I have found is to take a normal-res OM-1 image and upscale it using LR 'Enhance'. This produces an equivalent size RAW image with MUCH better tone, acuity and texture than any of the Hi-Res variants or processing. In fact LR 'enhanced' high-resolution images are easier/quicker to make and equally acute as the OM 'normal resolution' images.
PWG
