see also:

• the Olympus OM-D system and how to make the most of it
• long exposure modes in Olympus cameras

• another long exposure mode pioneered by Olympus in their Micro Four Thirds system
• essentially allows one to press the shutter release to start the exposure then WATCH the image build up on the LCD screen, then when you think it has had enough exposure, you simply press the shutter release again
• note: Olympus Live Composite mode may be even more useful for you!

• in the Menu, set:
  • Cogs E. Exp/ISO: BULB/TIME Timer to your maximum desired exposure duration (1-30 minutes)
  • Cogs E. Exp/ISO: Live TIME to the live view refresh interval (0.5-60sec)
    • NB. max. number of refresh displays are dependent upon ISO (9 for ISO 1600 to 24 for ISO 100)
    • if you are wanting around 30secs exposure, choose 4 secs refresh interval as this will allow 4-96sec exposure duration with visual updates
• set IS to OFF (assuming you are using a tripod)
• select Manual exposure mode on the PASM dial
• select ISO and aperture
• set shutter to Live Time
• press the shutter release to start the exposure
• watch the screen
• press the shutter release to end the exposure

• see shooting bio-luminescent ghost fungi, mushrooms and other organisms
• set BULB/TIME Timer to 8 minutes
• set Exp/ISO: Live TIME to 30secs
• set ISO to 1600
• set NR to AUTO
• set IS to OFF (assuming you are using a tripod)
• select Manual exposure mode on the PASM dial
• set aperture to around f/2.8
• set shutter to Live Time
• press the shutter release to start the exposure
• watch the screen
• press the shutter release to end the exposure or allow it to end at the designated 8 minutes by itself
• it will then do an equivalent duration NR dark frame before ending the exposure