Looking for a Range Finder to compliment my E-M1 II

I'm thinking I should stay with Olympus so I don't have to learn/remember two menu systems? Maybe it doesn't matter? I mostly want it for my primes. I've been thinking about a Pen-F for a long time. I was so hoping a new Pen-F was coming out, but guess not. I'm looking for a nudge or push in the right direction. I started my M4/3 venture with a GX7, I remember liking it. Now I just don't know what to do?

RF choices (with EVF) are quite limited TBH - PEN-F and GX85/9 (or older GX8).

I have the PEN-F and GX85 but for very difference purposes.  GX85 almost exclusively for 4k video/photo mode and PEN-F for everything else.

I prefer primes - 15/1.7, 25/1.8, 30/1.4, 45/1.8 and 75/1.8.  However, when traveling, I'd skip the 30/1.4 and 75/1.8 due to size and weight.  The only travel zoom I take is the 9-18mm.

I like PEN-F with 15/1.7 or 25/1.8 as with a prime it forces me to be more deliberate with my compositions which usually take a more leisure pace, allowing me to enjoy the scenes a few seconds more than if I was using a zoom.  My wife doesn't like waiting though, so if you're traveling with family on a tight schedule(i.e. spray and pray), some times a cellphone works better

Leica: "Hello E-M1, you're looking very cute tonight with that little 12mm prime fitted "

E-M1: Why thank you Mr Leica, that is very kind of you to compliment me like that".

Sorry,  couldn't resist   If you're looking for something to complement your E-M1 then I can definitely recommend the Pen F. UI is very similar and results are identical. That's the combo I have.

pdk42 wrote:

Leica: "Hello E-M1, you're looking very cute tonight with that little 12mm prime fitted "

E-M1: Why thank you Mr Leica, that is very kind of you to compliment me like that".

Sorry, couldn't resist If you're looking for something to complement your E-M1 then I can definitely recommend the Pen F. UI is very similar and results are identical. That's the combo I have.

+1 I too have the same combination. You really can’t go wrong with the Pen-F, the JPEG’s are excellent if you don’t want to do much in the way of PP or if you do, shoot RAW+JPEG. I find the controls of the Pen-F perfect. I love the location of the exposure compensation dial and I don’t get wound up about the front dial which I use only occasionally. The size and build quality is also excellent IMHO. Don’t overthink it, just get it 

Note, if you go with the Panasonic range finder cameras that have an electronic viewfinder, be sure to try it out in person.   A frequent complaint is that the Panasonic range finder bodies use a field sequential display, which unlike a normal LCD or OLED display uses one beam to show the 3 different colors, relying on your brain to merge them together via persistence of vision.  However some people are sensitive to such displays, and they see a rainbow effect, particularly when the camera is moved.

Also, the VF is rather tiny.  I don't see the rainbow effect, but for me, the VF is too small to use for extended shooting.

On the other hand, the Pen F uses an OLED display (compared to the TFT LCD display in your E-m1 mark II).  Now, because I need to wear polarized sunglasses all of the time when I'm outdoors in sunlight, I prefer the OLED display because it doesn't have polarization effects.  The Olympus OLED displays in the E-m10 mark II/III and Pen-F don't have as high of a refresh rate that the E-m1 and E-m5 cameras have with the TFT LCD display.  Some people will get headaches with due to the lower refresh rate.

I have both Olympus and Panasonic cameras.  I've been using Olympus since 2002, so I tend to have the Olympus menu system burned into my finger's muscle memory.  I find when I'm using Panasonic, I have to remember the differences between the two.  In particular, I find Panasonic cameras to be more sensitive to burning out the highlights, so I find I have to dial in exposure compensation more often on the Panasonic cameras.  I also find the Panasonic noise handling in JPG files to not be as effective as Olympus, so I tend to just use the Panasonic in situations where I'm not shooting at high ISO.

A lot of  positives, I know I'll end up with a Pen-F.

Thanks!

I purchased a Pen F recently to compliment my EM 1 MK II.

I got it primarily for its size, capabilities, and my intention to use it as my "street stuff" camera. I couldn't be happier, love using the monochrome mode too.

Tom B. wrote:

I'm thinking I should stay with Olympus so I don't have to learn/remember two menu systems? Maybe it doesn't matter? I mostly want it for my primes. I've been thinking about a Pen-F for a long time. I was so hoping a new Pen-F was coming out, but guess not. I'm looking for a nudge or push in the right direction. I started my M4/3 venture with a GX7, I remember liking it. Now I just don't know what to do?

I was thinking along the same lines, something smaller to use along with my E-M1 mark 1. I switched from an E-M10 II.

Here's the thing - the E-M1 is small enough that I don't need another camera. It's basically the same size as a GX, except the viewfinder sits atop and isn't integrated into the body. I also had a GX7 briefly. I would rather just use the Olympus.

The only tiny camera I really miss is the old E-PM2. It would be hard to deal without a viewfinder again though.

Greg

Tom B. wrote:

I'm thinking I should stay with Olympus so I don't have to learn/remember two menu systems? Maybe it doesn't matter? I mostly want it for my primes. I've been thinking about a Pen-F for a long time. I was so hoping a new Pen-F was coming out, but guess not. I'm looking for a nudge or push in the right direction. I started my M4/3 venture with a GX7, I remember liking it. Now I just don't know what to do?

It depends why it is that you want a second body. But since you say rangefinder, I assume you mainly want something smaller for travel, that still can share your lenses, and double as your backup camera.

The Pen-F would be ideal for that. Similar menu system, and almost the same sensor. And should you for whatever reason not like it, very easy to sell at minimal write off as it is sought after and keeps its value incredibly well.

If your reasons are biased mostly towards small size/weight and less towards a powerful backup camera, a used GM5 may suit you better. The GM is truly pocketable with a small pancake lens, the Pen is not. Expect it to cost half of what a new Pen-F costs, as the GM5 too is very much sought after.

With its OLED EVF, is arguably the best EVF on rangefinder styled MFT bodies by a wide, wide margin. Simply one of the best EVF's on a MFT camera.