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Tried OM-3. Share experience.

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GutiWong

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The most surprise is the poor ergonomics of the front dial. It’s not comfortable to use because of its ardward position.

It is okay to couple with 12-45mm without grip. Your finger will use the creative dial as anchor.
EVF is just like OM-5. Really acceptable.

Building quality is good but not great. Quality of the Button and dial are more or less the same to OM-5. I don’t have the same premium feeling as holding Pen-F.
AF-On button is small and hard to press.

CP button is very convenient.

You can change menu by touch screen (my OM-1 can’t)
 
> The most surprise is the poor ergonomics of the front dial.

Why do they put it on the front at all?

Is it supposed to be vaguely reminiscent of the self timer of old?

Mark
 
GutiWong said:
The most surprise is the poor ergonomics of the front dial. It’s not comfortable to use because of its ardward position.

It is okay to couple with 12-45mm without grip. Your finger will use the creative dial as anchor.
EVF is just like OM-5. Really acceptable.

Building quality is good but not great. Quality of the Button and dial are more or less the same to OM-5. I don’t have the same premium feeling as holding Pen-F.
Click to expand...
Can you elaborate on the build quality/feel?
GutiWong said:
AF-On button is small and hard to press.

CP button is very convenient.
You can change menu by touch screen (my OM-1 can’t)
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Mark P Thornton said:
> The most surprise is the poor ergonomics of the front dial.

Why do they put it on the front at all?

Is it supposed to be vaguely reminiscent of the self timer of old?
Click to expand...


Olympus Pen FT film camera
Olympus Pen FT film camera

Mark P Thornton said:
Mark
Click to expand...
 
Cafe Racer said:
GutiWong said:
The most surprise is the poor ergonomics of the front dial. It’s not comfortable to use because of its ardward position.

It is okay to couple with 12-45mm without grip. Your finger will use the creative dial as anchor.
EVF is just like OM-5. Really acceptable.

Building quality is good but not great. Quality of the Button and dial are more or less the same to OM-5. I don’t have the same premium feeling as holding Pen-F.
Click to expand...
Can you elaborate on the build quality/feel?
Click to expand...
It is very good, but not great. The silver part lacks texture. The bottom plate is full of screws. Maybe being spoiled, I demand more. But I want to say again, it is very good.
Cafe Racer said:
Cafe Racer said:
AF-On button is small and hard to press.

CP button is very convenient.
You can change menu by touch screen (my OM-1 can’t)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I still think a new rangefinder style Pen-F would have been more exciting!
 
GutiWong said:
Cafe Racer said:
GutiWong said:
The most surprise is the poor ergonomics of the front dial. It’s not comfortable to use because of its ardward position.

It is okay to couple with 12-45mm without grip. Your finger will use the creative dial as anchor.
EVF is just like OM-5. Really acceptable.

Building quality is good but not great. Quality of the Button and dial are more or less the same to OM-5. I don’t have the same premium feeling as holding Pen-F.
Click to expand...
Can you elaborate on the build quality/feel?
Click to expand...
It is very good, but not great. The silver part lacks texture.
Click to expand...
Is there a particular texture you thought the silver part should have?
GutiWong said:
The bottom plate is full of screws.
Click to expand...
I seem to remember the Pen F was promoted as having no visible screws so I do understand your comparison.
GutiWong said:
Maybe being spoiled, I demand more. But I want to say again, it is very good.
Click to expand...
What more would you demand be added that you think would improve the build quality to give it a more premium feel?

I have a feeling the lack of premium feel may be partly due to the size and weight of the OM-3. Looking at the specs on the OM System and Nikon websites I see the OM-3 is only 23 grams heavier than the Zfc (both without batteries and card), while being a similar size (OM-3 a bit longer). I've handled a Nikon Zfc and it felt cheap and hollow despite the looks. Given the similarity in size and weight of the two cameras I suspect the OM-3 may communicate a similar feeling. Of course I'll have to wait to try it out.

Nikon Zfc
Nikon Zfc

OM System OM-3
OM System OM-3
GutiWong said:
GutiWong said:
GutiWong said:
AF-On button is small and hard to press.

CP button is very convenient.
You can change menu by touch screen (my OM-1 can’t)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
GutiWong said:
The most surprise is the poor ergonomics of the front dial. It’s not comfortable to use because of its ardward position.
Click to expand...
Which "front dial" are you referring to? The Creative Dial, or the front control dial (under the shutter release)?
 
GutiWong said:
Cafe Racer said:
GutiWong said:
The most surprise is the poor ergonomics of the front dial. It’s not comfortable to use because of its ardward position.

It is okay to couple with 12-45mm without grip. Your finger will use the creative dial as anchor.
EVF is just like OM-5. Really acceptable.

Building quality is good but not great. Quality of the Button and dial are more or less the same to OM-5. I don’t have the same premium feeling as holding Pen-F.
Click to expand...
Can you elaborate on the build quality/feel?
Click to expand...
It is very good, but not great. The silver part lacks texture. The bottom plate is full of screws. Maybe being spoiled, I demand more. But I want to say again, it is very good.
Click to expand...
I definitely appreciate a well-made product, so I was wondering why I might not be even aware of screws on the bottom plate of my cameras, so I looked at my cameras bottoms:



f5a70ddfa04246ec8c172eabda07a11c.jpg



6007a9e13dd74897a3b032cbb01397e8.jpg

Mystery solved! 😂
 
Sam Bennett said:
GutiWong said:
The most surprise is the poor ergonomics of the front dial. It’s not comfortable to use because of its ardward position.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Sam Bennett said:
Sam Bennett said:
It is okay to couple with 12-45mm without grip. Your finger will use the creative dial as anchor.
Click to expand...
Which "front dial" are you referring to? The Creative Dial, or the front control dial (under the shutter release)?
Click to expand...
Reading his post he mentions both these dials, 'front dial' as well as 'creative dial', so I think he knows what he is talking about and refers to the 'front control dial' and not to the 'creative dial'.

RL
 
R Liewenberger said:
Sam Bennett said:
GutiWong said:
The most surprise is the poor ergonomics of the front dial. It’s not comfortable to use because of its ardward position.

It is okay to couple with 12-45mm without grip. Your finger will use the creative dial as anchor.
Click to expand...
Which "front dial" are you referring to? The Creative Dial, or the front control dial (under the shutter release)?
Click to expand...
Reading his post he mentions both these dials, 'front dial' as well as 'creative dial', so I think he knows what he is talking about and refers to the 'front control dial' and not to the 'creative dial'.

RL
Click to expand...
That was my assumption as well, but you knowing the story about that. ;)
 
GutiWong said:
Sam Bennett said:
GutiWong said:
The most surprise is the poor ergonomics of the front dial. It’s not comfortable to use because of its ardward position.
Click to expand...
Which "front dial" are you referring to? The Creative Dial, or the front control dial (under the shutter release)?
Click to expand...
Front control dial. Almost impossible to use it with one hand
Click to expand...
Huh. Which finger are you trying to use it with? The finger you use for the shutter, or the one below it?
 
Sam Bennett said:
GutiWong said:
Cafe Racer said:
GutiWong said:
The most surprise is the poor ergonomics of the front dial. It’s not comfortable to use because of its ardward position.

It is okay to couple with 12-45mm without grip. Your finger will use the creative dial as anchor.
EVF is just like OM-5. Really acceptable.

Building quality is good but not great. Quality of the Button and dial are more or less the same to OM-5. I don’t have the same premium feeling as holding Pen-F.
Click to expand...
Can you elaborate on the build quality/feel?
Click to expand...
It is very good, but not great. The silver part lacks texture. The bottom plate is full of screws. Maybe being spoiled, I demand more. But I want to say again, it is very good.
Click to expand...
I definitely appreciate a well-made product, so I was wondering why I might not be even aware of screws on the bottom plate of my cameras, so I looked at my cameras bottoms:

f5a70ddfa04246ec8c172eabda07a11c.jpg

6007a9e13dd74897a3b032cbb01397e8.jpg

Mystery solved! 😂
Click to expand...


I had not even realized my Pen-F had a screw-less bottom plate until the OM-3 complaints started.

I think all my Sony FF bodies (A7R2, A7R3, A7R4, A7C, A74, A7R5) had a bunch of screws on the bottom so apparently I couldn't care less about that manufacturing decision.

I am only concerned about the top plate i.e. control wheels, buttons, etc. that I actually use when shooting the camera.
 
GutiWong said:
Cafe Racer said:
GutiWong said:
The most surprise is the poor ergonomics of the front dial. It’s not comfortable to use because of its ardward position.

It is okay to couple with 12-45mm without grip. Your finger will use the creative dial as anchor.
EVF is just like OM-5. Really acceptable.

Building quality is good but not great. Quality of the Button and dial are more or less the same to OM-5. I don’t have the same premium feeling as holding Pen-F.
Click to expand...
Can you elaborate on the build quality/feel?
Click to expand...
It is very good, but not great. The silver part lacks texture. The bottom plate is full of screws. Maybe being spoiled, I demand more. But I want to say again, it is very good.
GutiWong said:
GutiWong said:
AF-On button is small and hard to press.

CP button is very convenient.
You can change menu by touch screen (my OM-1 can’t)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Just checked my OM1.2 - it has nine (9!!!) - screws showing. Must get rid asap.
 
GutiWong said:
The most surprise is the poor ergonomics of the front dial. It’s not comfortable to use because of its ardward position.
Click to expand...
Yes it all looked and felt a bit tired, sorta like seen too many days ergonomically
 
Last edited:
It's been suggested on this forum that the new OM-3 is the successor to the Pen F owing to the inclusion of the front colour profile dial that was present on the Pen F. This is likely to be a reason why people like the OP are comparing the construction of the two cameras. Olympus marketing referred to the Pen F's craftsmanship and construction as "Elegant, Meticulous Design", pointing out that there's no visible screws on the camera body.

I don't recall people mocking the fact that the Pen F had no visible screws in it's construction at the time of it's release. The design and craftsmanship was praised by many. But now the OM-3 is here not exhibiting the refinements of the Pen F like no visible screws, suddenly that becomes ridiculous and is worthy of mocking. So may be we should also mock the cheap, unrefined, cobbled together construction of the new OM-3 with all those unsightly screws, making the OM-3 look like a product that just came out of a second rate electronics factory ready for sale on AliExpress! 😀

From the Olympus Pen F press release:

Elegant, Meticulous Design

The PEN-F’s classic body lines and silhouette are inherited from its predecessor, which debuted in 1963. The top and front covers of the body are crafted from magnesium, and the precision metal dials (along with the bottom of the body) are crafted from aluminum. Olympus engineers devoted extraordinary resources to ensure superior quality and craftsmanship, so much so that even screws are undetectable on the camera’s exterior.
 
Last edited:
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