Pen-F released - first full review posted

[Archiver]

The size of the Pen F is what attracts me, apart from essentially being an upgraded E-M5 II inside. No viewfinder hump to catch inside bags.

 

[zuiko85]

That's a good point.

Be thankful they didn't call it the PEN IS (Image Stabilization).

But wait, in another few years we might have the PEN15 (Pen 15).

I'll see myself out. 😀

He'll be here all week folks, be sure to get your parking validated on the way out and remember, no cover charge, ever.

 

[kuvvy]

I'm about half an hour away from test driving the new Pen-F. Only get a twenty minute fondle but hopefully it will be long enough to assess whether its gonna make a hole in my bank balance. I'll let you guys know how I get on.

Paul

 

[kuvvy]

Olympus Pen-F by kuvvy, on Flickr

Well guy, I've had my play with the new Pen. Managed to get almost an hour with it. Gotta say I did like it. Felt 'different' in my hand compared to EM5 MkII that I currently have. Buttons and dials are more on the right-hand side than what im used to. After a while it did feel more comfortable and felt good in the hand. Size wise there's little difference between them both.
The viewfinder was good with a fast refresh rate. Liked the way you can alter the focus points on the screen whilst using the viewfinder. Simply move your finger on the screen to see the focus point shift around.
The Monochrome modes were impressive with lots of control over them to enable it to replicate your preferred film look. Same with the colour modes too.
Focus was fast, as expected.
Suited to the smaller prime lenses rather than the longer ones or large zooms. I'd recommend staying with the EM1/EM5 if needing big lenses or in fact weatherproofing.

I was so impressed, I'm gonna be selling my EM5MkII and quite possibly my Panaleica 25 1.4 to help fund one.
I do prefer an RF-styled camera more and that is gonna be my reason to switch.

What I've said here is possibly no more than others have said already but I didn't find anything about it that annoyed or didnt' impress me. As the brochure says, This Beauty is a Beast.

Paul

 

[xayraa33]

Olympus Pen-F by kuvvy, on Flickr

Well guy, I've had my play with the new Pen. Managed to get almost an hour with it. Gotta say I did like it. Felt 'different' in my hand compared to EM5 MkII that I currently have. Buttons and dials are more on the right-hand side than what im used to. After a while it did feel more comfortable and felt good in the hand. Size wise there's little difference between them both.
The viewfinder was good with a fast refresh rate. Liked the way you can alter the focus points on the screen whilst using the viewfinder. Simply move your finger on the screen to see the focus point shift around.
The Monochrome modes were impressive with lots of control over them to enable it to replicate your preferred film look. Same with the colour modes too.
Focus was fast, as expected.
Suited to the smaller prime lenses rather than the longer ones or large zooms. I'd recommend staying with the EM1/EM5 if needing big lenses or in fact weatherproofing.

I was so impressed, I'm gonna be selling my EM5MkII and quite possibly my Panaleica 25 1.4 to help fund one.
I do prefer an RF-styled camera more and that is gonna be my reason to switch.

What I've said here is possibly no more than others have said already but I didn't find anything about it that annoyed or didnt' impress me. As the brochure says, This Beauty is a Beast.

Paul

Black or Chrome finish?

Which one did you prefer ?

 

[kuvvy]

Only got to see the chrome but from the shots I've seen its the black for me. Both look very attractive. My EM5 is chrome and that looks smart.

 

[sevres_babylone]

Thanks for the quick posting of your thoughts. I can see why you'd consider selling the panaleica because of it's size, but I'm sure you'll think long and hard because it is such a good lens.

I need one camera with decent weatherproofing, so I'm sticking with my E-M5 and panaleica (with saran wrap and gaffer tape🙂 ) for now, but I would also prefer to lose the hump.

 

[ForestCap]

I read the PDF manual, and it says there is an OVF simulation function. It sounds interesting. Has anyone tried that, does it give a fake bright line 🙂 with a healthy amount of distortion? Or is it just a view without all numbers and histogram?

 

[kuvvy]

Thanks for the quick posting of your thoughts. I can see why you'd consider selling the panaleica because of it's size, but I'm sure you'll think long and hard because it is such a good lens.

I need one camera with decent weatherproofing, so I'm sticking with my E-M5 and panaleica (with saran wrap and gaffer tape🙂 ) for now, but I would also prefer to lose the hump.

Actually the Panaleica wasn't too bad on the Pen. Yes it's bigger than the Oly 25 but it balanced quite well and of course it's a great performer. I can't even complain about the EM5. Perhaps I should hang on a little longer before getting the Pen especially as the em5 hasn't had very much use. I also bought another Epson RD1 so no shortage of cameras.

 

[olakiril]

I read the PDF manual, and it says there is an OVF simulation function. It sounds interesting. Has anyone tried that, does it give a fake bright line 🙂 with a healthy amount of distortion? Or is it just a view without all numbers and histogram?

I have tried that with the em1. In ovf simulation the evf does not represent any settings like WB, exposure, effects, etc.
Not bad but definitely it sounds fancier than what it actually is.

 

[robert blu]

Thanks kuvvy for your impression...now waiting to test it my self...
robert

 

[Richard Griffith]

Olympus Pen-F by kuvvy, on Flickr

Well guy, I've had my play with the new Pen. Managed to get almost an hour with it. Gotta say I did like it. Felt 'different' in my hand compared to EM5 MkII that I currently have. Buttons and dials are more on the right-hand side than what im used to. After a while it did feel more comfortable and felt good in the hand. Size wise there's little difference between them both.
The viewfinder was good with a fast refresh rate. Liked the way you can alter the focus points on the screen whilst using the viewfinder. Simply move your finger on the screen to see the focus point shift around.
The Monochrome modes were impressive with lots of control over them to enable it to replicate your preferred film look. Same with the colour modes too.
Focus was fast, as expected.
Suited to the smaller prime lenses rather than the longer ones or large zooms. I'd recommend staying with the EM1/EM5 if needing big lenses or in fact weatherproofing.

I was so impressed, I'm gonna be selling my EM5MkII and quite possibly my Panaleica 25 1.4 to help fund one.
I do prefer an RF-styled camera more and that is gonna be my reason to switch.

What I've said here is possibly no more than others have said already but I didn't find anything about it that annoyed or didnt' impress me. As the brochure says, This Beauty is a Beast.

Paul

Thank you Paul, really interesting to read your hands on impressions

I've just been looking through the X-Pro1 image thread and seen several of your great photos there. Out of interest, why did you leave Fuji and switch to m4/3?

Best wishes

Richard

 

[kuvvy]

Thank you Paul, really interesting to read your hands on impressions

I've just been looking through the X-Pro1 image thread and seen several of your great photos there. Out of interest, why did you leave Fuji and switch to m4/3?

Best wishes

Richard

Richard, I was unable to work for many years due to a back problem. I had the Xpro1 for a long time and was pleased with it. However, our beloved Prime Minister changed the rules, took away all my benefits and forced me back to work regardless of my health problem. A result of which I had to sell my Fuji gear.
When able to afford to replace it I looked around and I've always enjoyed smaller cameras, plus it's easier on my back. So I bought into the M4/3 via Olympus. I had the EM5, then got the MKII. Tbh it's only had light use and it's in mint condition but the Pen-F appeals for its RF-style as much as anything. Can't fault the EM5 though.

 

[Richard Griffith]

Richard, I was unable to work for many years due to a back problem. I had the Xpro1 for a long time and was pleased with it. However, our beloved Prime Minister changed the rules, took away all my benefits and forced me back to work regardless of my health problem. A result of which I had to sell my Fuji gear.
When able to afford to replace it I looked around and I've always enjoyed smaller cameras, plus it's easier on my back. So I bought into the M4/3 via Olympus. I had the EM5, then got the MKII. Tbh it's only had light use and it's in mint condition but the Pen-F appeals for its RF-style as much as anything. Can't fault the EM5 though.

Thank you Paul

Don't you love the Tories

I work in the NHS - God what a mess!

I hope you are enjoying better health

Richard

 

[Lss]

I have tried that with the em1. In ovf simulation the evf does not represent any settings like WB, exposure, effects, etc.
Not bad but definitely it sounds fancier than what it actually is.

Fancier and not even remotely informative. That's marketing department mumbo jumbo at its finest.

 

[willie_901]

I agree... fancier is a very generous description.

 

[tbhv55]

Don't you love the Tories

Er... no! 😀

 

[mh2000]

well... there was a while that I thought I needed to have full DoF control (IE. fast lenses and full frame sensor/film), but when I got into m43, I took a Robert Mapplethorpe approach and essentially welded my 17, 25 and 45 lenses at f5.6 and it honestly has improved my photography greatly IMO... having every aperture, every possible DoF and every possible FL rarely makes anyone a better photographer. Occasionally, f5.6 isn't small enough to get me the DoF that I want with my 45, but that's a pretty rare occurrence... and thankfully, I never forgot how to change aperture... but I really hate doing so! f5.6 and tripod gets me what I want and sticks to the K.I.S.S. principle which works well for me... whenever I try to outsmart myself, I actually do... and that's rarely a good thing! 🙂