shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
I have long awaited for this camera to come back from CLA by Photosphere. I finally got to run a test roll on the Pen D2. Yay!!
First off, here's the camera:
pretty sharp looking, eh?
For the nitty-gritty details, the bartender's page has it in abundance, just go over and read it there.
Now, my personal experience with this camera is as follows: I am smitten by its looks and how it handles. The meter is great, basically, it turns this camera into a small albeit rather heavy CdS light meter.
I like to have total control of the aperture and shutter speed manually. Just need to match (or compensate) the EV number indicated by the meter display to the small opening on the lens barrel where you can see the current EV setting. In this regard, this camera is precisely a mini Olympus 35 SP in manual mode 🙂
The lens is definitely sharp and contrasty, as it can be expected from a 6-element Zuiko. It is more prone to flare, though, resulting in pale pictures. I suspect my choice of the film for the test roll also affects the image quality. Looking back, I probably shouldn't use the super cheap, expired dollar general 200ASA film :bang:
Battery wise, it's the same 625 format mercury, which I substitute it with the criscam adapter. I like the battery chamber which is hidden inside the cavity of the camera, AND the lack of that stupid nickel-only slot cover that I always manage to marr and scratch.
Construction-wise, everything about this camera screams high quality, unlike the cheaper Pen EE series, this one actually looks and handles like an expensive camera. Especially when I look at the lens, it looks very intricate. I also like the absence of flash hotshoe that in my opinion mess up a camera's look.
Now the not so hot: I hate the feel when I advance the film, it feels like I broke something everytime it actually resets the shutter.
Next time, I'll run an 400ASA Ilford XP2 and use it in indoor people shots, to see how capable this 1.9 lens is in low available light.
Meanwhile, here's some sample from the test roll. If you want to see more, head to this flickr set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mastaka/sets/72157600158500687/
First off, here's the camera:
pretty sharp looking, eh?
For the nitty-gritty details, the bartender's page has it in abundance, just go over and read it there.
Now, my personal experience with this camera is as follows: I am smitten by its looks and how it handles. The meter is great, basically, it turns this camera into a small albeit rather heavy CdS light meter.
I like to have total control of the aperture and shutter speed manually. Just need to match (or compensate) the EV number indicated by the meter display to the small opening on the lens barrel where you can see the current EV setting. In this regard, this camera is precisely a mini Olympus 35 SP in manual mode 🙂
The lens is definitely sharp and contrasty, as it can be expected from a 6-element Zuiko. It is more prone to flare, though, resulting in pale pictures. I suspect my choice of the film for the test roll also affects the image quality. Looking back, I probably shouldn't use the super cheap, expired dollar general 200ASA film :bang:
Battery wise, it's the same 625 format mercury, which I substitute it with the criscam adapter. I like the battery chamber which is hidden inside the cavity of the camera, AND the lack of that stupid nickel-only slot cover that I always manage to marr and scratch.
Construction-wise, everything about this camera screams high quality, unlike the cheaper Pen EE series, this one actually looks and handles like an expensive camera. Especially when I look at the lens, it looks very intricate. I also like the absence of flash hotshoe that in my opinion mess up a camera's look.
Now the not so hot: I hate the feel when I advance the film, it feels like I broke something everytime it actually resets the shutter.
Next time, I'll run an 400ASA Ilford XP2 and use it in indoor people shots, to see how capable this 1.9 lens is in low available light.
Meanwhile, here's some sample from the test roll. If you want to see more, head to this flickr set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mastaka/sets/72157600158500687/
