Olympus Pen F

[kentishrev]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

with apologies if this is not suitable marterial for a Leica forum (delete if I've overstepped the mark).

 

I have an M6TTL, but looking for a travel digital camera, and was looking at the D-Lux (109)/LX100.  In my dreams I'd be looking at a T or a Q, but finances won't allow right now.  I spotted an Olympus Pen F.  Very beautiful, styled very clearly on both the original Pen F, but even more on Leica style rangefinder (including an on/off switch that is simply the M3 rewind screw!).

 

At risk of recommending and discussing a non-Leica camera, does anyone have any experience of the Pen F?  And any alternative recommendations from Leica itself.

 

 

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[FrozenInTime]

As well as Leica ( M9,MM , film etc. ) I had been a Olympus MFT user E-P1 and E-M5 but I went for the Panasonic GX85 instead of the Pen-F :

RF styling and better 4k video, great MF functionality and $300 less.

Added the Leica branded 15/1.7 which is exceedingly nice.

[250swb]

I've had one for about eight months and it is a wonderful camera, image quality is great and it feels right in the hand, some weight but not too much, and a good size very close to a Barnack Leica. I primarily use it with the small prime  pancake lenses from Panasonic (the 17mm is superb) and also their 25mm DG Summilux, but it will take a zoom lens without feeling too overbalanced. With an adapter I use my Leica M lenses as mid to long telephoto's. If I had a criticism it would be it can be complicated (for me) if I loose my way inside the menu's or settings, but I've used Olympus 43 and m43 for many years and only tend to use the 'simple' traditional settings for a camera plus RAW.

 

20mp is plenty for a top quality image when combined with either Olympus or Panasonic lenses. And it also has an ultra high resolution mode but this is strictly for still life or pictures where movement within the scene won't spoil the image as it is made up from five shots (or is it eight ?) made in quick succession with the sensor moving half a pixel for each shot, so anything moving shows as a series of 'stutters' rather than a traditional blur. Of course the Image Stabilisation is industry leading and it takes a lot of darkness to resort to increasing ISO.

 

 

Steve

[robert blu]

The Pen F with a prime (17 or 25 depending on your photo attitude) could be a good companion toe a film M. I'm thinking about it to complement my M7, 100 iso in the film camera and more iso when necessary in interiors.

robert

PS: but if the rumored TL should be confirmed and available in a short time...