Some more Pen FT Questions

[Tanneur]

Hello,

I have some more questions regarding the Pen F/FT system. Maybe someone who is uisng this tiny camera can help me with some thougths.

1. What kind of film are you using? Will prints from a 400 Iso film (colour) become grainy? My standard size of pictures will be 13/18cm.
Up to now I only shoot ISO 100 slide film to test the shutter and light meter but I think standard will be negative film.

2. Do you have problems to get prints from the lab?

3. Telephoto lenses? I saw a 2x-converter - is someone using one of those. I was thinking of a combination with the 70mm lens which gives me something similar to the 4/150mm. What will the quality be like? The advantage of the converter solution will be the size and the shortest focusing distance but if the image quality will be mediocre than I will jump on a 4/150 lens.

4. Wideangle lenses? Despite the lens speed and price is there a difference between the 4/25 or the 2.8/25?

5. Is the light meter of the Pen FT center weight or is it just the average of the frame?

Thanks in advance for your answers
Tobias

 

[urban_alchemist]

1. I use a range of films, both BW and colour negatives. Modern 400 emulsions tend to give quite good results, but because of the size of the frame, you need to be very careful of dust and scratches, as these will be amplified. DON'T use slide films as the meter is not lense-coupled and you need the extra tolerance of negative to get good results.

2. Yes. They will scan two frames at once (slightly cropping on the left and right). You can have them print from a computer file later (having cropped one-frame-from-two) or both at once, but you can't have a single frame off-the-bat.

5. Average. Not even lense-coupled!

 

[furcafe]

1. I use all the same films I use in my full-frame 35mm cameras. Obviously, much depends on what size enlargements you want/need. I think I disagree w/urban_alchemist re: slide films; the FT's shutter is plenty accurate enough for E6, but I would use an external meter. I use an F & FV to have get the brighter VF; the fact that my handheld meter(s) are more accurate & versatile than the FT's built-in is just gravy.

2. No, but I don't usually get prints from the lab. I get development & a contact sheet & scan my negs & slides.

4. I have the 25/4, but only recently found a 25/2.8, so don't really have an opinion re: comparative performance.

 

[navilluspm]

Hi

In answer to you question about labs: if you live near a Walmart (one that uses a Fuji Frontier system) they will be able to process your pics quite easily - the only problem is finding a person who is knowledgeable or willing to actually look at the manual. There is a half/frame check box on the system I hear. I think it is listed as 135H. If you have 3.5X5 prints made you should be able to get seperated prints and not just two prints on a 6x4. Again all this is possible - but the problem I find is actually finding a person who is knowledgable or willing to find out. Most lab technicians seem to give a terse: "No, it`s not possibe" with out even checking. The best thing to do is to ask when the manager of the lab is available so you can ask him.

About the 150mm lens: these are quite common. I would just invest in a 150mm. Hey. I will even trade you my 150mm for your 70mm (and even give so you some money depending on the condition of your lens) - if you would rather have a 70 over a 150. I would DEFINATELY rather have a 70mm, but can't afford to buy one straight out. So if you want to trade, let me know. I just had my 150 serviced 3 months ago.

 

[ferider]

Hi Tobias:

1+2) I usually use 400 Superia, but have also used 100 ASA Slide film successfully. I scan myself, so cann't answer 2). In the normal US Cosco or Walgreens lab, I'm sure you could not get half frame prints.

3) I have a 2x tele converter and it's tiny. But I never use it since 100mm and 150mm lenses are small and very good.

4) I had both 25/4 and 25/2.8 and kept the 4 only. I didn't notice quality difference at f4 and up, but I know other people do.

5) its an average TTL meter, but not coupled to the aperture ring. The meter gives you a number between 0 and 6, and on Pen FT lenses, you have to set the aperture to that number.

Best,

Roland.

 

[splitimageview]

1. I use 100 to 800 color and B&W C41

2. I don't get prints from the lab, I have them develop and scan to CD for proofs; any photos I like I scan myself at higher res.

3. Haven't ever used a teleconverter, but the 150mm is a very sharp lens. I have two, the spare will be posted for sale soon.

4. I have never used the 25mm lenses, I have the 20mm and like it a lot.

 

[raid]

I often use Pentax SMC lenses on the FT with adapter. The 50mm/1.4 becomes an awesome tele lens on the the FT.

 

[Dana B.]

1. I've had good luck with a variety of C-41 color and black and white films, from 160 to 400.

2. My worst results, ironically, were processing in a professional lab, which didn't know how to divide the frame for individual pics and low-res CD scans. Then I discovered Costco (USA), whose Fuji machine works great on separating half frames (Be SURE to ask for 135H and "half frame" in the custom box; if someone tells you it isn't possible, insist it has been done for many satisfied customers). You can get 72 individual prints, a CD of separate images and the processed neg for $10 (US). I also have a scanner at home for higher end work.

One warning: When loading the film, make sure the teeth on the guide are firmly into the roll, or your film will be off when processing, with a dark line across the top or bottom of the image

4. I recently bought a 25/4, which is the equivalent of 36mm. I don't think it's quite as sharp as the standard 38/1.8. I'd be interested to hear from others as well.

 

[Tanneur]

Thanks for the answers. So ISO 400 film will be no problem. I will check if I can get good prints with the local labs. I am not sure about scanning because I allways have difficulties scanning colour negs and that is what I am planning to use.

I will skip the idea of the teleconverter and try to get one of those 150mm lenses instead. What would be a reasonable price for it?

@navilluspm
There will be not much chance of me trading the 70mm lens. I think I will like this focal length since it seems ideal for portrait work. Are they that rare?

 

[splitimageview]

Olympus guru John Foster lists the 70mm as being rare:

http://biofos.com/coll/subcoll/slrpen.html

 

[shadowfox]

The film I use the most with my Pen FT is Ilford XP2 which is rated at 400ASA. Expired ones, so I shoot it as 200ASA. And I printed 8x10 inches, it's not grainy at all.

As for the lens, I'd love to try out the 150mm, but for my purposes, the 100mm/3.5 is long enough, and it has beautiful colors and bokeh rendering.

As for wide-angle, I have a 25/2.8 and just loved it. I say go for the one stop faster, it's not that expensive.

 

[navilluspm]

@navilluspm
There will be not much chance of me trading the 70mm lens. I think I will like this focal length since it seems ideal for portrait work. Are they that rare?

The 70mm is rare, but still findable. I know a place that has a few kicking around (kevinscamera) but the prices are still a little to high for me. They even have more more coveted 60mm 1.5, but at even higher prices.

Regarding lens pricing for the Pen F I find Skip William's chart - while a few years old - still entirely acurate for pricing a lens in 2009 (especially with the global recession). The fast lenses (25/2.8, 42, 60 and, 70) seem to be selling higher than his average, but still seem to be in the purple range.

 

[raid]

Side by Side Box Plots are very revealing.

 

[aythamitp]

Hello!
This is my first post here, it's wonderful to find so many people who know about the Pen and its lenses since I need help 🙂
I own a Pen FT, inherited from my father 15 years ago, I have "rediscover" the camera and I have completely felt in love with it. So here we are on the search for lenses. I have already bought a nice 25 2.8, what's your opinion on that lense?
My big dilemma is wether to buy a 42 1.2 or a 40 1.4. Is it worth the difference? Is the 42 as sharp as the 40 stopped down at 1.4? how does the 42 feel on the camera? too heavy compared to the 40? I'm particularly leaning towards the 42 for I guess it'll make the viewfinder brighter and can give you extra flexibility but I really love the format of the camera and street photography would be one of its main uses so weight an ease of handling is an issue.
Thank you very much in advance for your replies!! And please feel free to advice me on any sense regarding the use of the Pen F or any other lense you find particularly interesting.
Best regards

Aythami

 

[splitimageview]

Welcome to the forum!

The Camera35 lens test from 1970 shows that the 40/1.4 is sharper at 1.4 than the 42mm is at 1.4; the 42 catches up at f/2.8 (center) and catches up at f/5.6 (edge.)

In my experience the 40 is a great lens, very sharp with excellent bokeh.

 

[aythamitp]

Thank you for your answer! I think you have convinced me with that chart, and will go with the 40.
I'll keep you posted of my progress 🙂 and send some pictures of my new gear when it's all together, I'm really excited about this little camera.

Best regards

 

[urban_alchemist]

In my experience the 40 is a great lens, very sharp with excellent bokeh.

+1

Lovely lense...

 

[Sonnar2]

Also not underestimate the 38/1.8 which is cheaply available. It's probably the sharpest of all, adds pocket size too, and can be focussed down to 1ft too...

 

[navilluspm]

I love my 38!!!!

 

[ferider]

I love my 42 🙂