Olympus E-3 User Manual page 42

from many happy owners, performed well next to other
professional cameras which, in the same conditions, have
provided wildly inaccurate white balance settings for their users.
The white balance system of the E-3 makes use of two sensors
coupled to the light metering system. The main sensor is situated
behind the opaque white window below the model number on
the right-hand front face of the camera. For the most accurate
readings, take care not to let your fingers obscure this area.
If, however, the area is obscured, the camera will default to a
through the lens reading which is still incredibly accurate
although the fine control available when both sensors are active
is sometimes lost. Generally, however, the white balance of the
E-3 is spot-on every time in virtually all conditions.
The result of this accuracy, however, when using AUTO WB
(Automatic White Balance setting) is that even when you have
warm late afternoon colours from a setting sun, the camera will
present the image as if it was exposed at midday with all colours
correctly balanced. This can ruin the mood of the shot.
The E-3, therefore, permits you to de-activate the auto white
balance setting and to adjust the white-balance to equate to the
type of colouring you would prefer.
If, for example, you wanted to retain the warm feel of a late
afternoon, simply set the white balance setting to DAYLIGHT
and the camera will respond as if it had normal colour film
loaded. The results will have a warmer feel to them. You could
also switch to LIVE VIEW mode and then change the white
balance setting while viewing the scene on the monitor. Each
white balance setting change will show a different representation
of the scene and, once you see the type of result you would like
for your photograph, set that white balance option and then
resume shooting as normal.
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