DPReview's Wenmei Hill and New Orleans-based photographer Claire Bangser recently hit the road with the Olympus PEN-F, visiting historic spots along the Mississippi Blues Trail. If you love the blues or want to learn more about the folks living in the small towns that dot the route, then you'll enjoy our latest field test.
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Especially the location, people, and the story woven around them. The camera was interesting too, but that didn't even matter.
Great work you two! If I could ever produce something this enjoyable, I'd be very proud. Wenmei, I'd love to know the approximate hours in post you (or you and others) spent assembling this piece?
Good sell, good story. The subject got priority over the product because the Pen F allows the pictures to flow rather than technically dominate the story. This is why I prefer this type of equipment rather than a slow F-Frame type.
Wow!!! Great History and video with product discussion. More like this please. Will be visiting there this summer to drop some of my tourism dollars and discover some of my history. Good job.
On the whole, I think I like this "advertorial" supported content for web sites like this. Kudos to Olympus and DPR for trying something new. It was both a soft sell and fun to watch.
I hope we don't get flooded with ONLY "New Camera" content though! Photography has a huge playing field. This idea has legs for tutorials, travel photos, Lighting, Shooting stock footage, digital darkroom, etc. I hope the people in charge aren't just ad salesmen looking for their 15% and we see some great new ideas.
Image quality is what I expect from an upper tier m43s camera, not the equivalent of Full Frame, but pretty darned good almost all of the time, with an occasional flash of brilliance.
I can live with the Image quality, but I'm not sure about the price of the gear. I may wait until the price drops or until we start seeing used ones on the market.
Quick Pen F set up and question: I have drifted from M4/3 (GM1 and Oly EPL1) and want to go back. I like this new Pen. Is there still a banding problem with recent Olympus cameras and Pan-Leica lenses?
You might want to post this question in the m43s forum, you'll get a fairly broad spectrum of knowledgeable user types that way. Me? I don't know, I only use Olympus Zuiko lenses and a couple of elderly legacy Canon FL primes. (They work great, BTW!)
As a English bloke living in Australia this area of the USA has always fascinated me and certainly a place I would love to travel too..your video was very insightful and showed what I have grown to belive what this area is all about...the young lady photographer was very thoughtful in her approach to the subjects and showed integrity in her work...as for the camera used..for me that was secondary to the story but looks like it did a great job...DPR have raised the bar..very nice work indeed
I hate to bring cold water here, so many glowing reviews. And in truth, liked the whole thing overall very much. Great review idea. But I have to ask, why some of the shots looked so washed out? They weren't all that way but many seemed to be. Is this using the art filters? Women dancing in the parade and many other shots that seemed to be in daylight and had colors seemed washed out or over exposed. Then other shots seemed spot on. I ask not to criticize her work but to want to know about that camera. Thanks.
Really enjoyed this video documentary! Enjoyed that focus was on the people and their stories and not pixel peeping. Hope DPReview will continue with interesting projects like this one. This is what the gear is all about, telling stories and capturing it. Thank you again for a great video!
I feel kinda dumb now but when I saw that picture frame my first thought was "they're taking this phablet thing too far" before I realized what it was. 😂
Delightful all round !! Congratulations to all involved this really shows what a certain type of photography is all about, and connects the audience to the whole experience. Humble is the word that comes to mind in the whole way this has been approached, and very fitting to the PEN which is also a very fine and humble camera. Half frame, m4/3 half a pocket full what could be more humble than that.
I hope DP review can come up with more of these sort of field tests/reviews.
Would people be more amenable to sponsored content if the title was changed and didn't allude to a critical test?
'Field Test: Claire Bangser and the Olympus PEN-F hit the Mississippi Blues Trail' could be changed to 'DPR Production: Claire Bangser hits the Mississippi Blues Trail. featuring the Olympus PEN-F'
I enjoy these productions and would like to see them continue without being so contentious
Great lesson, here. Just ask Danny Lyons, Mary Ellen Mark, Bruce Davidson, Larry Clark, W. Eugene Smith. The photograph is the last thing you take. It's all about establishing rapport; being part of your element; being trusted.
Great camera but... I played in store with Pen-F and found back buttons far too small for comfortable use, very hard to use them, and lack of back AF button is a real pain. The front dial with filters is a waste oportunity, I would love to have it as AF mode switch or metering mode switch. So Pen-F is a nice cam but with a few serious issues.
The Canon EOS-M has a lot of flaws, but one nice feature is that you can program so that one dial direction press can be used to focus. I never use continuous AF. Just focus this way an d hold.
I have nothing to add to the superlatives below, but I wanted to post a note just so you know how much this was appreciated. Fantastic video all the way around. Thanks for these kinds of stories.
I read that part. The content is what I liked. Going to the south and talking with some of those guys would be a dream opportunity as I have a lot of respect for the blues. Rock & Roll owes its existence to it.
Powerful stuff... It's not common for a piece to remind us that technology is made by humans, for humans. I felt connected and that's all this business of image harvesting should be about. Well done.
Wonderful video, great photos! As for the camera the dial is a waste of valuable real estate. At least it should have been a shutter dial. Tinkering around with "art filters" is strictly amateur hour and should be relegated to the deepest recesses of the menu not the most prominent dial on the camera.
That's a restrictive, rigid diktat for how to photograph. And "amateur" should not be used derisively for many great trail-blazing photographers saw themselves as amateurs.
Yes,it is for amateurs! That is the point! It isn't for gear heads that can't see a good camera when they hold it and list only for specification tables.
PS. If you didn't know the word "Amateur" is latin and it means "by love for the subject". Meaning they have interest and joy to do better than others. It doesn't mean hobbyist, as it has that own word "hobbyist".
being an amateur makes you no less capable than a professional.
the very best photos (and art) I see tends to be by amateurs.
professional photography is - by definition - within the confines of a brief (scope, time, cost, etc.; granted some photography is not, and the photographer is given utter freedom).
amateurs, who are doing the photography because they love it, can get right into the meat of their subject.
I really like the handling of this camera. I wish the front dial were shutter speed instead of art filter but otherwise it seems very... intimate? Reminds me honestly of the DPR review of the M9 when it came out. Lots of moving your feet and thinking about composition, lighting, and exposure and less about spray-and-fix-in-post type of "capture the moment" shooting.
I heard a rumor from someone I trust that there is a new firmware coming with more options for the front knob and ability to use the back button for AF.
I was a bit confused initially after seeing 4 images of a cat or parts of it in a raw but moving on I really enjoyed other images - good work and thanks!
That was a near-perfect video. I guess nothing is perfect, so I said "near" perfect. I know I certainly couldn't improve upon it. Great work.
I scanned as many comments as I could but wasn't sure if this question was asked and answered:
Besides the Olympus Pen-F used in the video, what other equipment was used? Were there other video cameras or was the whole thing done with the Pen-F?
There are times in the video when both ladies are taking photos but someone is filming them. What camera was used for those scenes?
Was any lighting used, microphones, etc.?
That was a professional video of outstanding quality. Makes me wonder what the equipment budget was. If it was done solely with the Pen-F then there is hope for amateur filmmakers to really get going.
The third camera sure is a question, but guess by observation is it was PEN F too, because they had Olympus PRO lenses and premium ones and none other was shown.
It wouldn't make sense to mix with other cameras and that way not show what Olympus can do.
Olympus gets way too much trash talks about its video quality. It might not be on Panasonic level, but it is not far behind at all!
And even when Olympus released firmware update to cameras like E-M1 after 3 years that brought 24/25fps option too, bumped max video ISO from 3200 to 6400 (5000 is final native) and many other features, they radically changed the possibilities.
And the Olympus works great in very low light if you just know basics about video post processing as importing file can either break it totally (reasons to say bad quality) or not alter it at all.
I really enjoyed this, and the icing on the cake would be to be able to see the original files shot during the making of the film, rather than just stills within the film. Anyway, nicely done.
Officially the best Dpreview video yet. I'm not even a PEN-F fan, but the seamless transition from narrative to camera review was spot on. Whoever wrote/edited (was it Wenmei?) this piece deserves a huge raise.
Could not agree more! I was a bit sceptical but after watching the video I have to admit I really enjoyed every bit of it. ( as a camera review and documentary)
I would like to add my comments to those in praise of this great video. A great story, photographer, and theme. I learned a great deal about the blues and the camera, which I own and love. Let's see more of these.
For most of Managing Editor Allison Johnson's photography, smartphones have already replaced a traditional camera. But a recent trip reinforced a couple of key reasons why she's not ready to quite ready to leave the dedicated camera at home – yet.
Olympus has announced updates for its OM-D E-M1 Mark II, OM-D E-M5 Mark II and Pen-F cameras in the lead up to CP+ 2018. On the list of updates are improvements to the E-M1 II's Pro Capture Mode, and the addition of in-camera Focus Stacking in the E-M5 II.
Olympus has released a major firmware update for two of its OM-D cameras as well as the PEN-F. It adds support for Profoto's TTL flash system and also brings numerous new features and bug fixes. Read more
2016 saw DPReview staff travel around the world, for our ongoing series of long-form videos. In this article, Barney takes us on a guided tour though the year in Field Tests. Read more
A lot of great ILCs were released in 2016, among them several excellent options in the midrange segment. Click through for a refresher on the standout models, and for your chance to vote on which was best. Vote now
The Sony a7CR is a high-resolution addition to the company's compact full-frame a7C series. So what did we make of it and where does it leave the a7 IV that it sits just above?
Lomography's LomoChrome '92 is designed to mimic the look of classic drugstore film that used to fill family photo albums. As we discovered, to shoot with it is to embrace the unexpected, from strange color shifts to odd textures and oversized grain.
The LowePro PhotoSport Outdoor is a camera pack for photographers who also need a well-designed daypack for hiking and other outdoor use. If that sounds like you, the PhotoSport Outdoor may be a great choice, but as with any hybrid product, there are a few tradeoffs.
The Sony a7C II refreshes the compact full-frame with a 33MP sensor, the addition of a front control dial, a dedicated 'AI' processor, 10-bit 4K/60p video and more. It's a definite improvement, but it helps if you value its compact form.
Why is the Peak Design Everyday Backpack so widely used? A snazzy design? Exceptional utility? A combination of both? After testing one, it's clear why this bag deserves every accolade it's received.
If you want a compact camera that produces great quality photos without the hassle of changing lenses, there are plenty of choices available for every budget. Read on to find out which portable enthusiast compacts are our favorites.
What's the best camera for travel? Good travel cameras should be small, versatile, and offer good image quality. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for travel and recommended the best.
What’s the best camera for around $2000? This price point gives you access to some of the most all-round capable cameras available. Excellent image quality, powerful autofocus and great looking video are the least you can expect. We've picked the models that really stand out.
Above $2500 cameras tend to become increasingly specialized, making it difficult to select a 'best' option. We case our eye over the options costing more than $2500 but less than $4000, to find the best all-rounder.
The Sony a7CR is a high-resolution addition to the company's compact full-frame a7C series. So what did we make of it and where does it leave the a7 IV that it sits just above?
Lomography's LomoChrome '92 is designed to mimic the look of classic drugstore film that used to fill family photo albums. As we discovered, to shoot with it is to embrace the unexpected, from strange color shifts to odd textures and oversized grain.
Sony's gridline update adds up to four customizable grids to which users can add color codes and apply transparency masks. It also raises questions about the future of cameras and what it means for feature updates.
At last, people who don’t want to pay a premium for Apple’s Pro models can capture high-resolution 24MP and 48MP photos using the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. Is the lack of a dedicated telephoto lens or the ability to capture Raw images worth the savings for photographers?
Kodak's Super 8 Camera is a hybrid of old and new: it shoots movies using Super 8 motion picture film but incorporates digital elements like a flip-out LCD screen and audio capture. Eight years after we first saw the camera at CES 2016, Kodak is finally bringing it to market.
In this supplement to his recently completed 10-part series on landscape photography, photographer Erez Marom explores how the compositional skills developed for capturing landscapes can be extended to other areas of photography.
If you want a compact camera that produces great quality photos without the hassle of changing lenses, there are plenty of choices available for every budget. Read on to find out which portable enthusiast compacts are our favorites.
Sony, the Associated Press and 'Photo Mechanic' maker Camera Bits have run a month-long field-test to evaluate capture authentication and a subsequent workflow.
A color-accurate monitor is an essential piece of the digital creator's toolkit. In this guide, we'll go over everything you need to know about how color calibration actually works so you can understand the process and improve your workflow.
What's the best camera for travel? Good travel cameras should be small, versatile, and offer good image quality. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for travel and recommended the best.
It's that time of year again: When people get up way too early to rush out to big box stores and climb over each other to buy $99 TVs. We've saved you the trip, highlighting the best photo-related deals that can be ordered from the comfort of your own home.
The LowePro PhotoSport Outdoor is a camera pack for photographers who also need a well-designed daypack for hiking and other outdoor use. If that sounds like you, the PhotoSport Outdoor may be a great choice, but as with any hybrid product, there are a few tradeoffs.
Sigma's latest 70-200mm F2.8 offering promises to blend solid build, reasonably light weight and impressive image quality into a relatively affordable package. See how it stacks up in our initial impressions.
The Sony a9 III is heralded as a revolutionary camera, but is all the hype warranted? DPReview's Richard Butler and Dale Baskin break down what's actually new and worth paying attention to.
What’s the best camera for around $2000? This price point gives you access to some of the most all-round capable cameras available. Excellent image quality, powerful autofocus and great looking video are the least you can expect. We've picked the models that really stand out.
DJI's Air 3 and Mini 4 Pro are two of the most popular drones on the market, but there are important differences between the two. In this article, we'll help figure out which of these two popular drones is right for you.
The Sony a7C II refreshes the compact full-frame with a 33MP sensor, the addition of a front control dial, a dedicated 'AI' processor, 10-bit 4K/60p video and more. It's a definite improvement, but it helps if you value its compact form.
Above $2500 cameras tend to become increasingly specialized, making it difficult to select a 'best' option. We case our eye over the options costing more than $2500 but less than $4000, to find the best all-rounder.
The iPhone 15 Pro allows users to capture 48MP photos in HEIF or JPEG format in addition to Raw files, while new lens coatings claim to cut down lens flare. How do the cameras in Apple's latest flagship look in everyday circumstances? Check out our gallery to find out.
Global shutters, that can read all their pixels at exactly the same moment have been the valued by videographers for some time, but this approach has benefits for photographers, too.
We had an opportunity to shoot a pre-production a9 III camera with global shutter following Sony's announcement this week. This gallery includes images captured with the new 300mm F2.8 GM OSS telephoto lens and some high-speed flash photos.
The Sony a9 III is a ground-breaking full-frame mirrorless camera that brings global shutter to deliver unforeseen high-speed capture, flash sync and capabilities not seen before. We delve a little further into the a9III to find out what makes it tick.
The "Big Four" Fashion Weeks – New York, London, Milan and Paris - have wrapped for 2023 but it's never too early to start planning for next season. If shooting Fashion Week is on your bucket list, read on. We'll tell you what opportunities are available for photographers and provide some tips to get you started.
Sony has announced the a9 III: the first full-frame camera to use a global shutter sensor. This gives it the ability to shoot at up to 120 fps with flash sync up to 1/80,000 sec and zero rolling shutter.
What’s the best camera for around $1500? These midrange cameras should have capable autofocus systems, lots of direct controls and the latest sensors offering great image quality. We recommend our favorite options.
Comments