My fading Pen F

I’ve had myPen F since its introduction in 2016. It was the first 20Mp m43 camera. Image quality is excellent, even in 2022. Having an excellent EVF on a Pen camera is/was a big plus. It’s as sexy as a digital camera can be.

But (you may have seen this coming) I never much got along with the built-in color profiles; I always felt I could do better with raw in Lr. I tried using a number of formulas/maps for color grading that various individuals published, such as for Kodachrome 25 and so on. None ever got me to my destination. Early on, I shot an entire vacation using color profile 2 just to see what it could do. While I got very nice jpeg shots, when I went back in wanting to tweak a number of the photos, those 8-bit jpegs bit me when I needed a bit more dynamic range to play with. I regretted not shooting raw (don’t tell me about raw+jpeg six years on…)

The b&w profiles are actually pretty good. My favorite is profile 1. Profile 2 is often likened to Tri-X but I never saw the similarity; Tri-X is better IMO. It’s a good profile nonetheless. Profile 3 is almost like infrared, or b&w with a heavy red filter and shows artifacts around sharp edges; I gave up on it early on.

In the meantime I added an E-M1.2 and then swapped that out for an E-M1.3. As a photographic tool, the E-M1.3 beats the Pen F hands down. Its AF is super-superior, it does far more as a camera, and is easier to use than my Pen F. Now that we all have the OM-1, it’s obvious that the performance/handling gulf of flagship vs. the Pen F is widening. The OM-1 is in my near future.

I fear my Pen F is a dear friend that has outlived her stay at my house. She’s gorgeous and is a very competent image maker. It’s just that the E-M1.3 and OM-1 are pulling far ahead in overall handling and ergonomics. That’s important to me, much more important than more megapickles or increased dynamic range. The value my Pen F holds on the resale market outweighs its value on a pedestal as an object of superb design and desire.

Have any of you tired of your Pen F? Which camera made you relegate your Pen F to occasional duty? E-M1.2? E-M1.3? E-M5.3? E-M10.4? Or ???


James

All my cameras are occasional duty as I'm not a pro (life long enthusiast though, started on film back in the 90s). And I just keep them all charged. My current bodies:

- e-pm2: Running an experiment on this one, I just have the tiny 7artisans 18mm f/8 lens cap on this camera and I use it without focusing, for good light shots when I want everything in focus and an easily pocketable camera setup.

- e-pl7: my stealthy around town or biking camera. I usually have one of the popular pancakes on it.

- e-m5: my small rugged weather sealed camera for bad weather. I have the 12-45mm f/4 on it now permanently.

- pen-f: my travel and street camera. I have it paired with my 12mm f/2.0 lens most of the time.

- e-m1: it's my camera for all the other lenses. I have the grip on it, so if I am going for extended sessions on a project or something this is what I use. Will be replaced with the new om-1 this year I suspect.

I have a Pen-F, almost as old as yours, and an E-M1.3. I use the E-M1.3 with a couple of the Pro lenses and the 60mm macro when I go out specifically to take photos. The rest of the time I carry the Pen-F with one of the prime lenses, chosen almost at random. Or I take the lightweight 40-150 f/4-5.6.

The result is that I have had more photos that I like with the Pen-F than with the E-M1.3 (and its predecessor E-M1 and E-M1.2). That’s simply because I’m more likely to have the Pen-F with me when an opportunity presents. To be honest, I suspect I’m more likely to try something complicated with the E-M1.3 too, and those attempts don’t often succeed.

My Pen F has became a working shelf decoration. I still occasionally get it out for family outings. My E-M1X get most use. Then the E-M1.3.
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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/3380136992_7c5a0986ea_m.jpg

RobBurke said:

... I carry the Pen-F with one of the prime lenses, chosen almost at random.

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I really enjoy my Pen F with M.Zuiko 12mm f/2. It seems to be a pairing made in heaven. You remind me that maybe I should keep that pair on the shelf, ready for those special moments.


James

DLBlack said:

My Pen F has became a working shelf decoration. I still occasionally get it out for family outings. My E-M1X get most use. Then the E-M1.3.
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I have a hard time keeping a $1K USD body on the shelf when I can put its resale value toward what I consider an ergonomically superior camera. Maybe I'm cheap?


James

more a case of horses for courses. Full disclosure: I've got more "horses" than I need: M1MKIII, M5MkIII, Pen and GM5. OH...and an X100T.

I use them all, partly based on the circumstances and what I want to accomplish. Photos of grandson? My M1 + 12-40 captures a fast moving 10 month old. Desert Botanical Garden here in Phoenix? Perfect for the Pen.

You get the idea. It's part of the fun...

Lotus Cat said:

I’ve had myPen F since its introduction in 2016. It was the first 20Mp m43 camera...

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In the interest of accuracy I think the Panasonic GX8 was the first 20Mp m43 camera.

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Randy

I use mine manually so af etc is not a problem image output is very similar to others, use it for a imitation film experience or sell it.

I have 4 different digital cameras, from 4 different brands: Olympus Pen-F, Leica M10, Nikon Df, and Sony A7C. I like all of them, and find each easy to use. The only lens I currently have for the Pen F is the PanaLeica 15mm f17. The combo of that lens and the Pen F makes for a great almost pocketable camera. I like to grab it for walking around the park by our apartment, and have taken it on travels when I also had a 14-150 Tamron zoom for it (sold that a while ago.)

I'm retired and have more disposable income than I had when working and will keep all 4 of these. (It's amazing how much money I save by not spending on coffee and lunch at work, and gas and parking downtown.)

Each one feels good in my hands and gives great results.

I bought my Pen-F in 2016 but sold it last year. Two reasons: 1) Since Covid started I have not been able to travel as before. And before the Pen-F was always with me when I traveled; 2) I have hoped for a Pen-F II so wanted to get some good money back for the next generation. Now OMDS has gotten the OM-1 out. Maybe the next major release is the Pen-F II?

Let's hope so!

Lotus Cat said:

[...] Have any of you tired of your Pen F? Which camera made you relegate your Pen F to occasional duty? E-M1.2? E-M1.3? E-M5.3? E-M10.4? Or ???

James

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I feel no urge to buy another camera body. The Pen F still is more camera than I need.

Everyone is facing the same problem. When new camera comes, the old one fades out.

The real problem is Pen F has a good resale value. For other camera, someone may just put inside the closet or somewhere until he forget its existence.

I would suggest you to sell it. Digital camera is not like mechanical camera or watches. It cannot beat new technology.

And you should look for Pen F M2 (Hopefully there will be)

AnthonyC2000 said:

2) I have hoped for a Pen-F II so wanted to get some good money back for the next generation. Now OMDS has gotten the OM-1 out. Maybe the next major release is the Pen-F II?

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Well sadly that was exactly what I did. I was expecting Pen F mark 2. DId not happen. Though before 2 months I acquired Pen F again.

Why ? The jpeg colors + size/weight/design.

What this thread says is not true. Actually you can not touch Pen F skin tones with any other (20mpix) Olympus camera. Basically all Olympus cameras produce too much yellow + orange in the faces but other colors are somewhat muted. Well it's an easy task for Pen F: -1 for orange and yellow and boost other colors. And there you are.

By the way I still shoot my old Pen E-P2 camera. What a stunning camera ! I like its colors the most (on a vivid profile).

Practically I shoot jpegs only on these 2 cameras and fine tune them in the LIghtroom (just white, blacks and that's it).

Cheers

Both my Pen F's exceed my photographic capabilities



I might go for a mark 2 if they bring one out.

Some pictures here

www.peterdelehar.photos

Peter Del

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Gallery: http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/8804053911

Pen F may be a while, if ever remember OMS released the Pen EP7 which is a Pen F without the built in viewfinder

There is a need to sell the OM-1 before any other chickens hatch

Got mine after they had been discontinued, when a silver copy popped up in the Refurb site during one of the sales. Had been on my "nice-to" list and I'm happy to have it.

Other than gazing at it I use it for more contemplative shooting, as a host for smaller lenses, travel, and portraits when I think the subject may be more comfortable with a camera that doesn't look like a shrunken DSLR. It, like the tiny GM5, is the least intimidating digicam I've used, and photographers often ask me about it. Has been mistaken for a film camera.

The E-M1s dance rings around it and are the cameras I most often use, but I'm happy to make space for the Pen F. It has its uses and is fun, as a bonus.

If you're short on space, then selling it makes sense because I will guess you'll be reaching for that M1iii most of the time. They seem to fetch a decent price, too.

My $0.02.

Rick

Lotus Cat said:

RobBurke said:

... I carry the Pen-F with one of the prime lenses, chosen almost at random.

Click to expand...

I really enjoy my Pen F with M.Zuiko 12mm f/2. It seems to be a pairing made in heaven. You remind me that maybe I should keep that pair on the shelf, ready for those special moments.

James

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It's my favorite combination too the 12/2. And the 17/1.8.

But if your love for her died, just for the shelf it is not worth keeping any digital camera. You will be surprised how much you can get for a used Pen-F, assuming it is in good nick. Especially if sold with the 12mm that you also consider putting on the shelf, it may easily pay you for half a new OM-1.

Timely missive.

With the OM1 piquing my interest for a new body to accompany a significant trip this summer, I too find myself pondering whether to keep my Pen-F or my EM1.2

I envisioned doing so much more creatively with the Pen F ... yet my go-to has usually been the EM1.2 -- with the Pen F serving as a backup / second body on trips.

Instead of selling one, I have an IR conversion done - I've enjoyed my IR converted E-PM2, yet it's getting a bit long in the tooth. Though it'd seem a shame to IR convert a Pen F, so that'd likely be best done with the EM1.2 I suppose.

Much to think about.

Decisions, decisions.