70mm at $1k and climbing

[dsymes]

I'm putting together a travel kit around a Fv body that was given to me by a dear friend in London when I last visited. I have a 20mm, a 25mm, and a 100mm, which leaves a big gap in the middle. I suspect that a good traveling kit would be the 20mm, a 38mm, and a 70mm. But $1,000+? Sigh...

(eby item # 150460554778)

 

[flip]

That's astounding. I cannot fathom why someone would pay that much.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I saw that, too. I paid half that for my 60/1.5, which last I checked was more sought after...quite a surprise!

 

[RF_newbie]

I think it is like the 19th or 20th Olympus Pen lens made!
🙄

 

[Doug]

Are Pen lenses now being sought for µ4/3 use, or what? The 70 Zuiko is a very fine lens but that kind of pricing is amazing. I bought mine (with FT type aperture ring) only 2 years ago in exc condition for $348.

 

[rxmd]

I guess prices are rising because people start finding a use for them on digital PENs and other Micro 4/3 bodies.

 

[Doug]

Collision between Pen F collectors and digital Pen users? 🙂

 

[rxmd]

Collision between Pen F collectors and digital Pen users? 🙂

Well, when collectors and users clash, the result is always a price hike 🙂

 

[flip]

Makes me glad I more-or-less completed my pen setup. Still, for the money, I can only see this being bought by a collector/completist. There are other lenses than can be adapted to the pen (digi or analog) that fit the bill for less, even with adapter.

 

[Keith]

Pen F's seem to pull pretty high prices as a camera ... not far below what you'd pay for an M3 at times!

 

[flip]

Your existing kit is fine. The gap is easily mitigated by the use of your feet. Seriously. You've got "reach" and the rest is fine.

If anything, I'd get a cheap 38/1.8. Easily had for under $100.

To truly complete the kit, I'd say get the macro, which is fantastic, but that runs at least four bills. 🙄

 

[Doug]

The 25mm makes for a reasonable "wide normal", though not particularly fast especially if yours is the f/4 model. The 60 and 70mm are portrait-length lenses. I'd agree a most practical and economical move would be for the 38mm f/1.8... Fairly common, plus said to be the best of the three "longish normals"... 38/1.8, 40/1.4, and 42/1.2, though I can't vouch for that personally even having both 38 and 40 lenses.

 

[flip]

I think that opinions on these older lenses depends largely on condition. For example, my 20 doesn't blow me away. However, the macro did, after I got it cleaned. I also have the 40 and 38. I see little reason to favor one over the other in results, but the 38 is cheaper, smaller, and tests better in the old literature (fwiw). I think the 100 is also a great lens. The 50-90 is relatively cheap and may be another contender if you can deal with the size / weight. The 42/1.2 ... I don't see the major benefit in losing quality for a half stop in a pen kit. I mean, if it comes to low light, just get out the RF and be assured of reasonably accurate focus. ;-) [This from someone who just went for a 60 over the 70.]

 

[Sonnar2]

That's ridiculous. The 60/1.5 is both faster and rarer.

 

[dsymes]

Thanks to sonofdanang, flip, and doug for comments on the travel kit, although I don't agree with the comment that one's feet make up the lack of a portrait focal length - I've always found a 135mm (full frame) a bit too long for informal portraits, due to both the flatter perspective and longer working distance. And shooting portraits with the 25mm (half frame) is only OK if you like big noses. The zoom is an interesting thought - is it sharp enough to be comparable to single focal lengths? I suspect that the 38mm is the best bet -

 

[ibcz]

70mm f2

70mm f2

That is really a very high price. Maybe the bidders confuse the FT number system for f numbers? A 70mm f0,5 would be really something 🙂.

I have Pen FV system as well, with 20mm, pancake, 38 macro and 42 and 60mm lenses + modified CV II Meter. 🙂

Iwert

 

[ampguy]

The more I think about the 1/2 frame system, the more limitations I see with it. To use it with color, without diffraction effects, you'll always need faster lenses and wider apertures than larger medium, so you'll always be paying a premium for lenses.

I think the idea was great for b/w casual use, but as color became commonly used, the format died out, possibly for these reasons.

The u4/3 system has some of the same constraints, but may survive as a p&s "bridge" system as it can be cutesy small, but still not pocketable.

 

[Meisenknoedel]

quite strange! 70mm is 140mm on µFT. not a very sought after focal distance in my opinion.

 

[mfogiel]

I have a couple of Pen bodies, and the 38/2.8, 40/1.4 and 60/1.5 lenses, plus a converter from Nikon F to Pen. I have tried the format, but it does not ring with me.

 

[Meisenknoedel]

i've checked the complete listings. the last 70mm lens was quite cheap (252€ with lens shade, case, rear and front cap, some oil on the blades --> #200481168260). the same seller got around 180€ for the 40mm lens and around 300€ for the pancake.