Purhase the Olympus Pen-F.... or no?

[sigala1]

I’m considering buying the Olympus Pen-F but I’m having trouble “pulling the trigger” to make the purchase. That’s because I own the Olympus EM-1 (the earlier one at 16MP). I’m concerned that the two cameras are so alike in capability that it would be redundant to own both. And I always shoot in RAW so I’m unlikely to make use of the Pen-F’s creative film effects.

So why am I thinking about the purchase of the Pen-F? Because I love both the old retro, rangefinder styling and shooting street photography. And the Pen-F scores high in both categories.

I wonder if there might be other factors, for or against the purchase, which I should consider. I’d appreciate any thoughts that you might offer.

Thank you,

Bill

The best money I ever spent on GAS was upgrading from an E-M5 to the E-P5.

I have neither E-M1 or PEN-F, but I think it could be just as good of an upgrade.

Purchases I most regret: all of my original 4/3 lens. People who say buy lenses, not camera bodies, they are wrong.

 

[Bill from Oregon]

Oh for Pete's sake- this has been beaten to death in this forum!

You know you want it, so just buy the damn thing. ;-)

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to help with my decision to purchase (or not purchase) the Olympus Pen-F.

Regarding your insightful comment, CelticOdyssey, just ten minutes ago, I wrote this same message to a photo-friend -- I want the camera. Yes, you're right. I do want the camera. And I suppose I'm asking for input from others hoping to collect a mid-sized pile of encouraging responses. I think that you've "hit the nail on the heard." Thank you, Bill

Sign up for the flash sale email and text alerts from the Oly Outlet Store and with that additional 20% discount when thy have their sale on top of their already low prices for reconditioned cameras that will help you rationalize the purchase! ;-)

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet

Thanks, RSSrsvp. That's a great idea. I'll do so. Much appreciated, Bill

 

[Bill from Oregon]

Oh for Pete's sake- this has been beaten to death in this forum!

You know you want it, so just buy the damn thing. ;-)

What a helpful comment. I agree.

 

[Roger Engelken]

Well I own two copies of the E-M1, and that is quite redundant. It sure saves on switching lenses, however.

 

[Bill from Oregon]

I have both and as someone else has said, you think differently about your photography when using each. The EM-1 is my go to for long lenses or extreme macro, while the Pen-F is for primes and creative relaxing photography. I used to take just RAW, but when using the Pen-F the creative dial gets constant use, especially for mono and using the colour filters. I wish the EM-1 had this feature, or conversely that the Pen-F had focus stacking.

I see you have the X30. If it's for street or travel have you thought about getting an X100T or F? It's even more retro than the Pen-F and gets you in a different mindset. IQ is probably a bit better than the Pen-F, although it's a less flexible with the fixed focal length.

 

[Bill from Oregon]

Well I own two copies of the E-M1, and that is quite redundant. It sure saves on switching lenses, however.

Yes, I understand the point. A friend recently told me that amateurs change lenses and pros change cameras. Way back in the 1970s, I carried two Olympus OM-1 film cameras, each mounted with a 50mm lens. I loaded one camera with Kodachrome film and the other with Kodak Tri-X (black and white) film.

Bill

 

[Marty4650]

I also own an EM1, and have lusted after the Pen-F ever since it was first announced. My problem is I just can't justify spending $1,000 for another camera I don't really need. Especially after spending so much to buy lenses!

But I do want it. And I agree it would be great for street shooting. I also like the B&W filters that are accessible from the front dial. So I will patiently wait until I can find a used or refurbished one at the right price.

Until then, I will just force myself to get by with my EM1, EM5, and GM1. :-D

 

[gary0319]

I also own an EM1, and have lusted after the Pen-F ever since it was first announced. My problem is I just can't justify spending $1,000 for another camera I don't really need. Especially after spending so much to buy lenses!

But I do want it. And I agree it would be great for street shooting. I also like the B&W filters that are accessible from the front dial. So I will patiently wait until I can find a used or refurbished one at the right price.

Until then, I will just force myself to get by with my EM1, EM5, and GM1. :-D

 

[addlightness]

Actually, I chose/bought my PEN-F over an EM1

I prefer prime lenses and my PEN-F + any one of 15/25/45/75 f1.8 is simply addictive. And everyone knows silver is the best color. You got to try out Mono-2 and Color-3...

 

[RSSrsvp]

Oh for Pete's sake- this has been beaten to death in this forum!

You know you want it, so just buy the damn thing. ;-)

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to help with my decision to purchase (or not purchase) the Olympus Pen-F.

Regarding your insightful comment, CelticOdyssey, just ten minutes ago, I wrote this same message to a photo-friend -- I want the camera. Yes, you're right. I do want the camera. And I suppose I'm asking for input from others hoping to collect a mid-sized pile of encouraging responses. I think that you've "hit the nail on the heard." Thank you, Bill

Sign up for the flash sale email and text alerts from the Oly Outlet Store and with that additional 20% discount when thy have their sale on top of their already low prices for reconditioned cameras that will help you rationalize the purchase! ;-)

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet

Thanks, RSSrsvp. That's a great idea. I'll do so. Much appreciated, Bill

You get a 90 day warranty on their reconditioned gear and have the option to buy a 2 year extended warranty on cameras for $99.

 

[Bill from Oregon]

Oh for Pete's sake- this has been beaten to death in this forum!

You know you want it, so just buy the damn thing. ;-)

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to help with my decision to purchase (or not purchase) the Olympus Pen-F.

Regarding your insightful comment, CelticOdyssey, just ten minutes ago, I wrote this same message to a photo-friend -- I want the camera. Yes, you're right. I do want the camera. And I suppose I'm asking for input from others hoping to collect a mid-sized pile of encouraging responses. I think that you've "hit the nail on the heard." Thank you, Bill

Sign up for the flash sale email and text alerts from the Oly Outlet Store and with that additional 20% discount when thy have their sale on top of their already low prices for reconditioned cameras that will help you rationalize the purchase! ;-)

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet

Thanks, RSSrsvp. That's a great idea. I'll do so. Much appreciated, Bill

You get a 90 day warranty on their reconditioned gear and have the option to buy a 2 year extended warranty on cameras for $99.

Hey, thanks. I was wondering what sort of a warrantee Olympus offered on their refurbished cameras. Bill

 

[Bill from Oregon]

Marty

Thanks for writing. I like that you use the word "lust" to describe your desire for the Pen-F. That word likely works for my interest in the camera as well.

Yes, it's quite an investment but, these days, good cameras ain't cheap. At the recommendation of another person on the forum, I've been looking into refurbished Pen-Fs. Olympus is selling them for $750. That's 25% off the current retail price. That helps.

 

[Bill from Oregon]

I also own an EM1, and have lusted after the Pen-F ever since it was first announced. My problem is I just can't justify spending $1,000 for another camera I don't really need. Especially after spending so much to buy lenses!

But I do want it. And I agree it would be great for street shooting. I also like the B&W filters that are accessible from the front dial. So I will patiently wait until I can find a used or refurbished one at the right price.

Until then, I will just force myself to get by with my EM1, EM5, and GM1. :-D

 

[RSSrsvp]

Oh for Pete's sake- this has been beaten to death in this forum!

You know you want it, so just buy the damn thing. ;-)

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to help with my decision to purchase (or not purchase) the Olympus Pen-F.

Regarding your insightful comment, CelticOdyssey, just ten minutes ago, I wrote this same message to a photo-friend -- I want the camera. Yes, you're right. I do want the camera. And I suppose I'm asking for input from others hoping to collect a mid-sized pile of encouraging responses. I think that you've "hit the nail on the heard." Thank you, Bill

Sign up for the flash sale email and text alerts from the Oly Outlet Store and with that additional 20% discount when thy have their sale on top of their already low prices for reconditioned cameras that will help you rationalize the purchase! ;-)

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet

Thanks, RSSrsvp. That's a great idea. I'll do so. Much appreciated, Bill

You get a 90 day warranty on their reconditioned gear and have the option to buy a 2 year extended warranty on cameras for $99.

Hey, thanks. I was wondering what sort of a warrantee Olympus offered on their refurbished cameras. Bill

There is also a 30 day return policy.

 

[Bill from Oregon]

Actually, I chose/bought my PEN-F over an EM1

I prefer prime lenses and my PEN-F + any one of 15/25/45/75 f1.8 is simply addictive. And everyone knows silver is the best color. You got to try out Mono-2 and Color-3...

While I "always" shoot RAW, playing with the mono and color options in .jpg is tempting.

Bill

 

[RSSrsvp]

Actually, I chose/bought my PEN-F over an EM1

I prefer prime lenses and my PEN-F + any one of 15/25/45/75 f1.8 is simply addictive. And everyone knows silver is the best color. You got to try out Mono-2 and Color-3...

While I "always" shoot RAW, playing with the mono and color options in .jpg is tempting.

Bill

The mono #2 B&W mode will give you some beautiful shots!

 

[gary0319]

I also own an EM1, and have lusted after the Pen-F ever since it was first announced. My problem is I just can't justify spending $1,000 for another camera I don't really need. Especially after spending so much to buy lenses!

But I do want it. And I agree it would be great for street shooting. I also like the B&W filters that are accessible from the front dial. So I will patiently wait until I can find a used or refurbished one at the right price.

Until then, I will just force myself to get by with my EM1, EM5, and GM1. :-D

 

[gary0319]

Actually, I chose/bought my PEN-F over an EM1

I prefer prime lenses and my PEN-F + any one of 15/25/45/75 f1.8 is simply addictive. And everyone knows silver is the best color. You got to try out Mono-2 and Color-3...

While I "always" shoot RAW, playing with the mono and color options in .jpg is tempting.

Bill

The mono #2 B&W mode will give you some beautiful shots!

+1 for mono profile 2. I have my front dial mono setting on profile 2, zero film grain, as my default B&W setting. Just two clicks of the dial to switch from color to B&W in the view finder and since I always do Raw + Super Fine JPEG, I have both the color and the mono for PP.

 

[Marty4650]

Your solution is perfect.

I always shoot raw+jpeg anyway, so it would work well to have the camera create both files. Then just delete the ones you don't want.

Since I don't shoot video, I have never been able to fill up a memory card in one day's shooting. Not even an 8 GB card.....

 

[Tommi K1]

I’m considering buying the Olympus Pen-F but I’m having trouble “pulling the trigger” to make the purchase. That’s because I own the Olympus EM-1 (the earlier one at 16MP). I’m concerned that the two cameras are so alike in capability that it would be redundant to own both.

They are "alike" but still not. E-M1 has the C-AF capability (that PEN F is like incapable totally in good manner) and the grip and great EVF and tilt screen and just speed performance.

PEN F has the HR mode and improved IBIS slightly (0.5 SS stop if even that) and just pocketable size and form.

And I always shoot in RAW so I’m unlikely to make use of the Pen-F’s creative film effects.

Then don't. The PEN F is especially for JPEG shooters. The whole idea is that you get to shoot on the site in the time the shot, instead play around on post process.

Unless you really demand a selfie-mode for screen and a integrated corner EVF or HR mode, I don't see a reason to get PEN F.

So why am I thinking about the purchase of the Pen-F? Because I love both the old retro, rangefinder styling and shooting street photography. And the Pen-F scores high in both categories.

Yes. But if you buy it, I seriously recommend to forget raw for a 2-3 weeks and just shoot JPEG. Learn to accept the JPEG capabilities and performance and the joy of the "in-body" shooting.

I wonder if there might be other factors, for or against the purchase, which I should consider. I’d appreciate any thoughts that you might offer.

Thank you

Nope.... (unless HR mode is enough) as it is just so beautiful body and the film modes and creative knob are just best on the market. I was personally unpleased about the EVF size, even when I use VF-2 on E-P5 that it was something "turn off". Probably the worst EVF Olympus ever put on any m4/3 body.