Olympus EP-2 Document scene mode

[hugh]

Can anyone confirm whether or not the Oly EP-2's Document scene mode is like the "Text Mode" that's found in some of the Ricoh compact cameras? It would interpret the capture of text on a page into solid black on solid white by removing all middle tones similar to Kodalith film. I've tried all over the net and can't find any info on this mode--not even on Olympus' own site. And when I download the EP-2 user manual pdf from Olympus' site, it consists of one page that's entirely BLANK.

 

[coelacanth]

I just tried it on E-PL1 assuming E-P1 has similar/identical scene.

Description on the menu says "for shooting documents etc. increases contrast between letters and background." and that's what camera did. It won't make the picture complete "black and white" though.

 

[coelacanth]

"Document" scene mode

iAuto mode

 

[helen.HH]

so Sug YOU went for the EPL1
instead of the DP2

loved your two Beach shpts....Cheers-H

 

[hugh]

Thanks, Sug for the very quick reply. I'm also in northern CA (near Tahoe) and I sent you a private message asking for more clarification on using this mode but I guess I could have posted it here.

 

[coelacanth]

Hehe, Helen, you caught me. 😉

My intention is to mate it with Panny 20mm semi-permanently. I think Forven pics are stunning, but I just can't see myself using digital as main tool to shoot photos that I want to print and hang. So I went with E-PL1 as do-it-all digital camera that I keep just in case I need digital shots better than iPhone 3GS. 😛

That said, E-PL1 is giving me quite good results. Once I receive the 20mm, I'll try to work around with it for a week instead of my Ms and see if I can manage to get some interesting shots on streets. I don't see myself replacing my b/w film/prints with digital in my life time, but I think this small package can be my drunk-night/kitty-snapping/video-shooting/film-scanning/classifieds-listing camera while snapping some beach shots here and there. 😉

 

[Finder]

The E-P1 doc mode is simply exposure based on a white field and a slight increase in contrast. This is nothing like lith film. But then the document mode could not be like lith film as I doubt anyone would attempt to control the lighting to the degree required. And if they did, they would not use the doc mode, but simply control exposure and then process in Pshop.

 

[Finder]

Hehe, Helen, you caught me. 😉

My intention is to mate it with Panny 20mm semi-permanently. I think Forven pics are stunning, but I just can't see myself using digital as main tool to shoot photos that I want to print and hang. So I went with E-PL1 as do-it-all digital camera that I keep just in case I need digital shots better than iPhone 3GS. 😛

That said, E-PL1 is giving me quite good results. Once I receive the 20mm, I'll try to work around with it for a week instead of my Ms and see if I can manage to get some interesting shots on streets. I don't see myself replacing my b/w film/prints with digital in my life time, but I think this small package can be my drunk-night/kitty-snapping/video-shooting/film-scanning/classifieds-listing camera while snapping some beach shots here and there. 😉

I am sorry to see you get rid of your E-P1 with the cv 21mm--you inspired me to get the 21mm for my e-p1.

 

[coelacanth]

hugh, got your PM.

I don't think you can get the result you want from the document mode on Pen.

See this image taken with Document scene mode.

The camera is just increasing the contrast while shifting to high-key slightly.


You can achieve the result you are looking for with any photo editing tools. This took me 5 seconds on Photoshop. You don't need Photoshop filters to do this. Just use either Level or Tone Curve tool on your photo editing software and cut off the gray area next to none thus creating pretty much black and white image. You don't want to make the image completely 255 and 0 values (true black and white) because image needs antialiasing to show smooth edges. Don't worry, it's very easy.

 

[coelacanth]

I am sorry to see you get rid of your E-P1 with the cv 21mm--you inspired me to get the 21mm for my e-p1.

Hehe, I know! I should have kept the set. I'm getting back to similar set up now. I still think E-P1 is the best looking cam in the Digital Pen family.

 

[hugh]

Thank you folks, especially Sug for helping me with this.