An OM System OM-3 and the 12-45mm F4 PRO on a Melbourne Photography Course
Three hours in Melbourne CBD with an OM System OM-3 and the 12-45mm F4 PRO, learning manual mode.
The OM-3 in manual mode: 1/2000 at f/4.0, ISO 800.
The Gear: OM System OM-3 and the M.Zuiko 12-45mm F4 PRO
Clara's camera was an OM System OM-3 with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4.0 PRO.
Micro Four Thirds has a 2x crop factor, so the 12-45mm frames like a 24-90mm on full frame. The maximum aperture stays at f/4 across the whole zoom, so zooming in does not darken a manual exposure set wide open.
Street art, 1/100 at f/4.0, ISO 800.
Learning Manual Mode on the OM System OM-3
Getting into manual on the OM-3 starts at the mode dial: turn it to M and the two dials on top of the camera set shutter speed and aperture. Balancing those with ISO is the exposure triangle.
We also set LV Mode to Standard, so the screen previews the exposure you have dialled in, so the picture gets brighter or darker as you turn the dials.
Street art on Sniders Lane.
OM System OM-3: Quick Answers
How do you put the OM System OM-3 into manual mode?
Turn the mode dial to M. The two dials on top then control shutter speed and aperture.
Why doesn't the OM-3 screen get darker when I change settings in M?
Check LV Mode in the menu. Set to Standard, the screen previews the exposure you have set, so it brightens and darkens as you turn the dials.
What focal length is the 12-45mm F4 PRO on Micro Four Thirds?
Micro Four Thirds doubles the focal length in full-frame terms, so 12-45mm frames like 24-90mm. The maximum aperture is f/4 at every focal length.
What the Course Covers
- Manual exposure: setting ISO, shutter speed, and aperture for the scene in front of you
- Finding your way around the OM-3's mode dial and its two top dials
- Setting LV Mode so the screen shows the exposure you've dialled in
- Shooting street art in Melbourne's laneways
Free calculators
To see what the 12-45mm frames on Micro Four Thirds, use the crop factor calculator and the depth of field calculator.
The course runs 3 hours on foot through Melbourne CBD, on your own camera, in full manual. If you are still choosing a body, the best camera for beginners guide lays out the options, and the Lightroom course covers the RAW files afterwards. Other sessions on the blog: Eliza on a Fujifilm X-S20 and Michael on a Nikon Z6 II.
Your Turn
The DSLR & Mirrorless Express Photography Course runs on Fridays or Saturdays in Melbourne CBD. Max 2 students. $499. Check our photography tips for beginners if you want a head start before you come.