Has anyone done any studio shooting (with strobes) with the OM-D or any other mirrorless camera?

How do you overcome the darkening of the viewfinder when you shoot in manual/stop-down mode? If your exposure setting is say 1/125 seconds at f8 at ISO 100 ... your viewfinder goes dark - unlike a DSLR where there VF remains open at the widest aperture, thanks to the reflex mirror.

I had my first quick shoot in the studio with my new OM-D and didn't do too well ... as I had trouble not only with picking the AF point but composing/framing the image because the VF goes dark!

What's a good work-around?

~Bobby

I'm not familiar with the OM-D, but in similar cameras I've used there is a mode that shows the image as it would appear with the exposure settings applied. Since it's an electronic "view finder," it's not limited to just one brightness level.

Are you using an actual 4/3 or MFT lens, or some other lens via adapter?

That's helpful Brian - thanks! Do you know what that setting or tool is called in the camera you are using? I am assuming you are not referring to the VF brightness setting.

BrianO wrote:
I'm not familiar with the OM-D, but in similar cameras I've used there is a mode that shows the image as it would appear with the exposure settings applied. Since it's an electronic "view finder," it's not limited to just one brightness level.

I was using a native Olympus m43 lens.

Mr Kris wrote:
Are you using an actual 4/3 or MFT lens, or some other lens via adapter?

I can adjust the brightness of the monitor on the back of the camera (and it helps somewhat) ... but it does not work in the viewfinder - the VF remains dark. Shooting portraits/fashion in the studio you have to use the VF and not the monitor if you want to be taken seriously!

BrianO wrote: I'm not familiar with the OM-D, but in similar cameras I've used there is a mode that shows the image as it would appear with the exposure settings applied.

bobbytan wrote: That's helpful Brian - thanks! Do you know what that setting or tool is called in the camera you are using? I am assuming you are not referring to the VF brightness setting.

In thinking about it, it may only apply to the rear screen, and not to the VF. Couldn't hurt to try, though; it might work on the VF as well. Check your user guide for sections on Live View, Live View Boost, etc.

BrianO wrote:
BrianO wrote: I'm not familiar with the OM-D, but in similar cameras I've used there is a mode that shows the image as it would appear with the exposure settings applied.

bobbytan wrote: That's helpful Brian - thanks! Do you know what that setting or tool is called in the camera you are using? I am assuming you are not referring to the VF brightness setting.

In thinking about it, it may only apply to the rear screen, and not to the VF. Couldn't hurt to try, though; it might work on the VF as well. Check your user guide for sections on Live View, Live View Boost, etc.

Live View Boost I think will work! Thanks Brian!

I can't imagine there is no way to brighten the viewfinder--when stopped down--that's a primary benefit of an electronic viewfinder. I would expect you are in a specific "exposure emulation" mode.

As for using the viewfinder or LCD in portrait/fashion situations, that depends on how you shoot. I'm normally on a tripod or camera stand, so using the Live View monitor is exactly like using the groundglass on my view camera or medium format cameras. I compose, study, then actually get out from behind the camera to direct and shoot.

In fact, what I've been doing for the last few months is using a radio remote to get entirely away from the camera after composing, primarily to have the subject keep her eyes on me constantly, whichever direction I direct her to face. If I want her to look down and to the side, I move to the side, squat, and say, "Look at me, small smile, just like this."

I've shot with a NEX-7 in the studio using strobes and there's a setting in the setup menu called Live View Display. You turn the setting effect Off. I don't know if the OM-D has a similar setting.

Activate "live view boost" in the OM D display menu (detailed camera settings.) This will brighten the display-both EVf and screen.

I think what you're talking about is a setting which allows you to "see the live effect" on the screen or EVF, but that can be turned off so that the lens aperture returns to it's widest setting until you hit the shutter release to capture the image. The aperture will then stop down for the capture, and open back up. My NEX-7 has that mode so that I can see a live view of the effect settings, but should be turned off for studio work when you use smaller apertures. You really can't do that with MF lenses adapted to fit mirror less cams, but native lenses should allow you to shut that feature off...

Fuji Xpro or X-E1 doesn't have the option of doing WYSIWYG.. So you'll be fine with that camera.. Good for studio, but sucks for everything else
(the camera doesn't suck, just the fact that you can't switch to a WYSIWYG setting in M mode)

I've shot a lot with my X100 in the studio. I'm not sure what you gain in the studio with seeing the exposure effect in the viewfinder when changing settings. Given the settings I use it would just be dark. I set my aperture, based on strobe power and shoot. I check the LCD and adjust.

What am I missing here?

Edit: I used to have a EPL-2 and a bunch of lenses which I also used in the studio. Same thing as my X100......