My first D. Thorpe review. An absolute pleasure -- detailed, relevant, intelligent and witty. I shall always think of the Pen F as the diamond-encrusted knickers camera . . .
Now that the Pen-f discontinued, I want one. I enjoy your rather philosophical yet unapologetically personal reviews. Photography after all is more about the photographer and their personal experiences than the images they produce.
It'll be interesting to see how many Pens go on the S/H market. It struck me as a camera you'd buy to keep, given the lovely contraction and Leica vibe.
As ever, a balanced honest review with appropriate comparison. Views that only come from people who really understand the discipline that is photography. Whilst the shortcoming are iterated the benefits not forgotten, brilliant!
Listening to these reviews feels like listening to a well done audio book. Figured I'd try out m4/3 so I picked up a second hand PEN-F, two zooms and a prime. So far I am enjoying it very much. It's a refreshing change coming from the Sony a6000. Much more fun to shoot with.
I wish Panzer would reply to your question. I, too, picked up an A6000 with 2 kit lenses for a good deal. It is functional, has amazing fast fps and autofocus and I use it on assignment. As an implement in my hand, it's just another spoon. Does the job but is devoid of the tactile pleasure of say a Fuji X or, in this case (taking your word for it, David) the Pen-F which I'm still itching to get my hands on. This is the second time I've watched your review. I've learned a lot since the first viewing and would eagerly switch to a MFT kit of 2 x Pen-F, 17mm, 42.5mm and 75mm. Thanks for posting this review, very watchable, very listenable, erudite fun.
What a great review, David. I just bought a really clean used Pen-F with under 1000 clicks. I'm a 51 year Nikon user but, was introduced into the M43 world by my brother. I've only had the camera for a day but, I'm thrilled with it and your review reinforces that I made a good choice. Thank you!
Dear David wunderfull review. The value of emotion in photografie is so important. And if a camera can open the door to our feelings our fotos will be much more fullfilling than technical aspects. Fotos are about feelings...and this camera trigger feelings like Leica does.
Hi David, Great review and very well delivered. I took the opportunity to test one at my local camera store and it is indeed a beautifully designed and well crafted product. It's expensive but like you rightly say it's a camera that makes you want to pick it up and use it ... Priceless. :)
I am watching and truly enjoying YOU and YOUR video, with YOU recently not walking this earth ... I am once again hoping that YOU are able to follow the comments that I leave for YOU, as I have Love and Respect for YOU and YOUR photographic Passion..... John ;)
i am thinking of buying either olympus pen f or sony a6300. I have seen so many different reviews and i think this is the best review i have seen so far for this camera :)
It's wonderful to hear that, Marielle - my bet is you'll still be in love with it next Christmas too! Perfect for the travel shots and videos you do - very nice, by the way.
Thank you. You probably saw the RUclips stuff, a mix of iPhone and my old Olympus SH (had 3 of those). Last one died, no more SH series. I liked the built in zoom for my purposes. Tried another brand this fall briefly - it was a horrible experience. Back with an Olympus and very happy with my choice - looking forward to this year's travels with the Pen-F. My more serious attempts at stills are over on RedBubble - www.redbubble.com/people/southwestsun :) @@DavidThorpeMFT
+RUclipsNamePlaceholder Thanks! I try to make a clear division between what is my subjective opinion and my 'outside' one and it's nice to know it is appreciated.
Been waiting and waiting and waiting to catch one of these at a good price and it finally happened. Thank you keeping this video up for me to come back to.
Wonderful review of a camera I'm seriously considering. Like a lot of people I'm usually function over form (been that way for over 45 years of photo fandom) but this time I think I'll "chillax" and go for the whole package.
+Jeffrey Adams The Pen F strikes me as a camera that you would keep a long time. It is solid and good to use and it'll be a long time before anything materially better comes along. Different, maybe, better, no.
The Leica style design goes well with the monochrome capabilities of the Pen F. A bit like a Leica, it's different and so a camera you are likely to keep for along time.
Indeed the best Pen F review i've listened to. Thanx! In the last minutes you really nailed the whole trivial aspect around this camera. Coming from a e-pl3 (with E-vf2 always atached), it's a tough decision....
A very pleasurable review to watch on this camera. Thank you. I want to buy this body and it feels like a strange indulgence to do so. I think you nailed that fweling in your review.
+Mitch Eckhardt Guilty pleasures! Seriously, you are paying extra for the look and feel but if you enjoy using and handling the camera more as a result, nothing wrong with that.
+Mitch Eckhardt Don't know about indulgent - sounds like a great price to me! The 'like new', someone told me, is often someone who has ordered a camera, doesn't like it and sends it back. Essentially, it's a new camera. I've never had any qualms at all when it's from a reputable source like Amazon or sometimes even the makers themselves.
Hah, had to watch your video until finally someone pointed out the design similarities to the Leica screw mounts. Quite funny though, as the original half-frame 35 mm film Pen F was market as being of a comparable size to a Leica screw mount and targeted at customers in Japan who taught the Leica M was too big originally. The review is as always top notch, thank you and glad that I found your channel!
Hello David. Many thanks for this old but very helpful Pen-f video. I'm currently shooting an EM-1 Mark II for my Color and Macro Photography and am considering getting a used Pen-f body to match up with my wonderful PanaLeica 15mm f1.7 lens for my BNW Photography efforts. My plan is to keep the PL lens on the Pen-f and use my M.Zuiko 60mm f2.8 macro lens on my EM1. I'd really appreciate hearing back from you on this idea.
I really hope EM1 m2 will have a new, revolutionary sensor :) Otherwise I still feel my weathered and trusted EM1 is as good as any new camera that's coming out in the system, no incentive to upgrade yet. Although the Pen F is certainly gorgeous.
+Timur Dzhambinov I'm pretty sure as the top of the line model it will have. Or a 24Mp one, of course :-) Joking! I don't think there's any camera yet that is really merits describing as an upgrade to the E-M1, as you say. I think what people will be looking for is a substantial improvement to its already best in class C-AF. It would be unreasonable to expect a £1000 camera to math a £5,000 DSLR but if it could match or better the model down from those professional bodies, that would be a massive attraction. Having said that, the C-AF on even the sub £1000 Micro Four Thirds is no slouch. We have such high expectations these days! The Pen F, yes gorgeous. If it was £100/ 150 cheaper than the GX8 it would be a great buy. But looks don't come cheap, I know. It costs me hundreds of pounds to stay the chisel jawed, slim and lithe young buck that I am :-)
@@DavidThorpeMFT , thank you for your reply and it's no trouble at all! I've been a subscriber for years, and I bought my first 'real' camera (Panasonic G7) with your help in 2015. I later upgraded to the G85 (as it's named in Canada) and I really like it. I'm revisiting your reviews to decide which (if any) camera body I should purchase to complement the G85. I'd like a small, stylish, and affordable model that I could carry with me all the time, as I find the G85 a tad big for that purpose. The Pen-F would be great, but it's a little too pricey for my needs. The camera I'm considering getting would mainly be for stills and Wifi functionality between my phone and camera is a feature I would really like. I'm debating between the EM10 Mk ii (as you seemed to prefer this one to the Mk iii) and Panasonic Gx85. Any suggestions you may have would be much appreciated!
as with most consumables this camera is coming down in price just saw 825 on fleebay condition is listed as used a few times... hummm. well at least there are coming into a reasonable area.. the em5 mk2 also is under 700$ new... now that afantastic price for a weather sealed cam with ibis...
I was on the fence between this and the em5ii, and went with the latter. Functionality best beauty. I can wait to watch your video on the em1ii whenever that comes out. Also, your photos are amazing. I hope to one day have skills like you.
+Beardbrand I wonder when we'll see an E_Mll? Thanks for the compliment re the pix. Very pleasing to me. After years taking pictures day in day out, you just develop skills without even knowing it. And a sort of 'style' creeps up on you, often recognised by other people better than the photographer hi(her)self. The more you do it the better it gets!
you all prolly dont give a shit but does someone know of a way to log back into an Instagram account..? I stupidly lost the login password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me
@Maurice Kaysen Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site on google and I'm in the hacking process atm. Takes a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
I really wish they would make Pen F purely for photos. especially if they are going to sell it for that price. Just strip way any video capabilities and put the money saved from that into more photography features like an extra sd card slot, weather sealing, or more buffering etc. I think that purest photographer would love this camera then.
+Apollo Haywood I think a lot of photographers would like that but Olympus obviously feel it important to upgrade the video capabilities of their cameras. I prefer to have some video capability myself but 20mbps FHD with the default settings does enough for me. The GM1 can do that. The GH4 is there for folk who want more video. Now I think of it, I'd like a Pen F with an optical hybrid finder like Fuji do.
I would not have bought it if it did not have video capability, and impressive for the camera at that. I think Olympus is right to include and and not exclude a huge customer base by omitting video. Really, what camera for amateur and pros alike of this type does not have video?
It’s an absolutely fantastic unit...I am still using the E-M5 Mark I but I have a friend with the Pen f, and my time using hers has me wondering if my next body will be the E-M5 mark iii or the pen f mark ii. If I’m recording that band however...it will be the body that comes with a guitar tuner on it ........ Great review David.
I tried using a Boss TU12EX on the open mic-ers but while it improved their sound, I couldn't find the EVF, shutter button or focusing ring so gave up :-)
Yet another fine review, David. When my daughter absconded with my ep-1 I purchased the ep-5, which I have used to great satisfaction, until recently, when my daughter eloped with it, leaving me little choice but to find my way into the arms of the Pen F, which arrived just the other day. As a third-generation Pen owner, familiarizing myself with the camera took hardly any time at all, but I couldn't agree with you more about the front dial and that it should be entirely programmable. Personally, I could do without all the "creative" dials on this or any camera -- just give me a load of programmable dials, thank you very much. The mono dial? Well, I simply program C1 for my mono preferences and go with that. I suspect I won't use the front dial hardly at all. And I don't care for the default position of C3 and C4 being "art" or "scene" modes! Maybe I want the camera to be more "serious" than was intended. That said, so far I am pleased, especially with the articulating screen, which is helpful for discreet street shooting more so than that of the ep-5.
+greenophotography Haha! Daughters, eh? You're right about being more serious. I suppose from olympus's point of view, they want to appeal as broadly as they can and with a camera such as this there will be a fair number of people who buy it on appearance and will enjoy all the options without ever wanting to become photographers as such.
This is the first review by you that I have read, David. I agree with the comment by "wipeoutking" that your review is sensible and still artistic. I'll be looking for more of your reviews. My Pen-F in black is on the way. I am certainly one of those consumers suckered in by the form and ignoring the shortcomings given the price. I am an experienced photographer and I hope those shortfalls won't be annoying. If I find myself loving the feel of the camera, taking it everywhere, and producing more photos then it'll be worth the price! It is also my first Olympus so we'll see how that goes!
+Mike Weiser I'm glad you like the review, Mike. I'd echo your point - as an experienced photographer you are in a position to make an informed decision that you will overlook any shortcomings for the pleasure of using the camera. I don't think you'll find any shortcomings annoying. Judged on its own and disregarding the price, I'm not sure the Pen F has any shortcomings. It's only when pitched against another similarly priced camera that it would be noticeable. But how do you put a price on wanting to pick it up and use it? If you find yourself loving the feel of the camera and taking more pictures, I'd argue that that is priceless, actually.
another great review and insight. and, yes , I totally agree the design takes a lot of its cues from the Leila 3 than the film Olympus Pen F.. so many people can't or refuse to see this.. the resemblance is so obvious.. more so than the film Pen F with the exception of the body top plate outline from the top view. anyways, really like the new Pen-F, but hard to justify getting this to replace my om-d e-m5 mkII, but as a second body, yes. I'd use primes primarily with the new Pen-F and zooms and longer lenses with the e-m5 mkII.
+Wing Yip Thanks for the kind words. Yes, the resemblance to the Leica is striking. Its natural companions t me are probably the 17 and 45mm Olympus lenses. The 12 would look nice too....and the 75mm...no, enough already :-)
I agree.. pretty much any of olympus's primes from 12-75 would work and look striking on the Pen-F. On a side related note, I've had an opportunity to own and try the Mitakon 25mm F0.95 Speedmaster for MFT and it is pretty nice.. surprisingly nice IQ for such a compact and solid built super fast prime.. just wished it had clicking aperture settings on the aperture ring. Manually focusing with focus assist works quite nice on the Olympus with this nice lens if you wanted to try manual focus and enjoy it's unique rendering. yes, focusing wide open at f0.95 is quite challenging, even with focus peaking (which is not 100%), but if you have the patience to dial in your focus wide open, the results can be very satisfying. For the price of under $400, it's a great alternative to Voigtlander's Nokton equivalent offering which is at least double the cost, not to mention the size and weight.
+Wing Yip Interesting lens, I'd like to try one. Such an aperture shows up the tiniest focusing inaccuracy but I was brought up on manual focusing (often just setting a distance rather than using a screen) and with practise it become quite easy.
Fantastic review!! I think it will be a very interesting camera in 10-12 months... however right now it's quite the rip off at 1200€ here in Germany, I'd go with an A7 or A7ii for that money, only good thing is that MFT cameras drop in price quite fast here, so I'll wait...
+STEHH87 That's the best ploy, I reckon. I expect there will be a rush of buyers who are attracted to the camera's very attractive form as much as its performance. Then people like you will come in when the price goes down. Glad you liked the review.
Hopefully future firmware updates will fix some of its AF issues.... Lovely looking camera, I was about too pull the trigger on one, but I ended up buying a nicely discounted fujifilm x-t10 with kit lens plus a couple of primes, I predominantly shoot jpeg now, because I'm too lazy to play around with raw files in post editing, and you can't go wrong with either Olympus or Fujifilm, both produce beautiful jpeg images..... Thanks for the review David, very informative and honest as usual.. Cheers!
Always enjoy your reviews! So well presented....so fair...always spot on. The Pen F is a very nice camera....and yes, the styling is hard to resist. It's going to be hard not to jump on one here soon.
Hello David Apologies if you've answered this before, somewhere else in the comments section, but would you have any suggestions on how the Mono 2 setting on the Pen F might be replicated in the EM5 MarkII? I 'm trying to tweak the shadow/highlight/midtone curves along with the contrast setting, but with limited success. Would you have any baseline suggestions that might be a good starting point? Kind regards Mark Rowley
The main difference looks to be in the Curves settings as Photoshop calls them, Highlights and Shadows as they are called on the SCP. I haven't got a Mark II to hand but set the camera to Grainy Art and then go to +5 or +6 on the Highlights and -5 or -6 in the Shadows (the Highlight and Shadow setting should be found on the SCP). The Pen F's setting is quite extreme so you could knock the exposure down by 1/3 or 1.2 a stop for the moody effect.
David Thorpe Many thanks David. For whatever reason I didn't think that the shadow/highlight/midtone curves could be used alongside the Art filters. Shows how much I know about the permutations available with this camera! I'll give it a go and see what happens. BTW how do I go about making a financial contribution to your channel? I very much appreciate what you do, but realise that fresh air doesn't pay the bills. Kind regards Mark Rowley
@@markrowley6847 Mark, I don't think anyone knows all the combinations of things these cameras can do! On my later videos I've put a PayPal URL for any contributions - but I'm slightly embarrassed to do it - and please don't feel obligated.
Hello David You've got me stumped. I've looked on your recent videos for the PayPal URL link but can't find them anywhere. I may well be looking in the wrong place for these links. Would the fact that I'm using an iPad and an iMac make any difference? I've bunged Gordon Laing a few bob for his video reviews and would like to do the same for you too. Any suggestions on where to look would be gratefully received. On a separate note I see that you are using a Peak Design wrist strap. These seem quite expensive for what they are but would be grateful for your thoughts on whether they are worth the premium. I'm thinking of getting one of these or something similar for my Olympus OMD EM5 Mark II. Kind regards Mark Rowley
Thanks, glad you liked it! Yes, it would be useful and 4K is coming to be expected . I imagine the Pen F MkII will have 4K not that I have any information about whether there will even be a Pen F MkII.
Great review David! Having Leica M I was eager to buy it as a second AF camera. Unfortunately once tested, EVF and AF quite disappointing comparing to GX8. Obviously, GX8 doesn't look (and feel) as good as PEN :)
+Pavel Fedosejev The GX8's EVF is excellent and the focusing differences, while not vast, do matter considering the relative prices of the cameras. I'm going to do a direxct comparison bewteen teh two cameras as soon as I can.
The Pen F is a beautiful object but in terms of general function it doesn't do anything that the GX85 doesn't. Plus, the pancake standard zoom the Pen F comes with is not exactly stellar. A GX85 plus 12-32 _and_ 35-100 mini zooms, both excellent performers, cost less, too. I wouldn't swap them.
gret video as always David - yes a great looking camera - with some good points and some not so great :) - first I think the cost is a bit high especially compared to the other Oly bodies - I have the Em1 and EM5 - I have tried the Pen -F - yes pleasure to watch - and I do like the dial on front with the nice BW mode - I just have a hard time with the Oly menu system and no Touch for menu items - and no Soft Fn - I do like that it has Flip LCD - but I cannot understand why Oly cannot update their Touch Lcd to include menu functions - That is where I think Panasonic has just done a stellar job - my GX8 does not look as retro or attractive - but using side by side I just cannot justify getting the Pen-F - I also have 2 GX7's which I really like using - I have come to really like the 4K stills modes the GX8 offers - and now price has come down on the GX8 - My feeling is the same on the GX7 vs EM5/m2 for example - yes the EM5/m2 look nicer - however the EVF hump is an irritation when putting in camera bags - I must more prefer FlatTop bodies with EVF on the side - I find the AF better on the GX8 vs the Pen-F - especially in low light - just the best in low light focusing - I also found that tracking AF was better on the GX8 - So yes I am a camera hoarder :) and I am tempted to get the Pen-F but it really would be for the looks as in my mind the GX8 is just all-around better and cheaper - The new Sony A6300 has some nice features especially fast tracking focus - I do have the NEX5n NEX7 and A6000 - and yes the 24MP sensor in the NEX7 and A6000 is really nice - but the menu and NO Touch LCD - the lack of lenses - and the fact lenses are larger and heavier - just makes my Sony E bodies collect dust - I do have the Fuji X100s and XT1 - and yes Fuji makes nice glass and selection is fairly good - and yes their look nice and have retro styling - but No Touch LCD - no IBIS - and no Fuji primes with IS - no 4k and lenses are heavier and larger then M43 over all - So I find my self using the GX8 a lot - and of course my GX7's - sometimes the EM1 - and of course I use my GM5 with the 42.5 mm F1.8 a lot - so little and light that it takes no space in my bag - and I just keep around my neck most of the time - although I might have the GX8 in my hand - So great looks for sure - but pricy and so so in tracking AF and no 4K - I am waiting to see if Panasonic is releasing an update to the GM5 - a GM7
+jon hermannsson Your thinking is pretty much the same as mine. If I was pushed, I'd say that the GX8 was the best all round Micro Four Thirds camera so far, actually. I still have my little GM1 - the GMs are so absurdly small that I always have it with me. And the E-M1, lovely but I have to disable some of the buttons or I never know what settings I'm on.
I've bought this camera today, it doesn't make any sense as I do have technically wise much better cameras, mft as well as other formats even as big as medium format (645z), but I don't regret it the philosophy (or whatever you call it) of this camera is just the way I feel deep in my maniac photographic heart!
It almost seems they could have added a few features ie weather sealing etc, that would have made this a little bit less specialist and more evey day camera... great review
well It never really worked as a cool look for me, its not bad but I had a close shape in the A6000 and prefer the em1 or em5 design... its funny adding a fraction of an inch on the bottom really helps me hold my 5 mk2, mod'ed half case with battery access and extended tripod mouint, use a slr neck strap for ease of lens exchange in the feild... and back to this, its kind of nifty, I would think more a kin the the 10 or 10 mk 2... people I know who have these wonders do enjoy them, seem to get a retro vibe... I get a retro vibe by using all manual old glass... my fist camera in the 70s was an argus... go figure
I like the image quality of the film lenses. It is less clinical somehow though probably technically inferior to digital era lenses. But in the end it is the image that counts and it really is pleasing to see these wonderful lenes finding a new lease of life. nd often among young photographers, too.
Another great review David, thanks! I have been shooting stills with my GH3 because it is currently my only camera. However, it's primary use is for video. With that said I have been looking for an Olympus camera for stills (5 axis stabilization). I had my eye on the EM5 MKII and saw this. I love the idea of the larger sensor, the diminutive size and its looks, but I was really hoping to see the EM1 MKII released instead of the PEN-F. Unfortunately there are no camera stores in the area that carry anything beyond Cannon and NIkon. I will be in San Francisco next week maybe I'll have the opportunity to put my hands on at least the EM5 mkII. If I get lucky they have the PEN-F... Cheers, Greg
+Greg Allen You are paying a high premium for the design with the Pen F. Nothing wrong with that but in terms of function the E- M5ll is much better value with much nicer EVF. The less pretty alternative to the Pen F is more the E-M10ll in many ways, as I say in the video. If you are happy with the GH3 - and it's a great camera, I'd be inclined to wait until they put the 20Mp in another camera. In day to day photography, I'm not sure the 20Mp sensor is of itself a reason to change which makes the E-M5ll an attractive buy.
+David Thorpe I purchased the EM5 MKII a couple weeks ago along with the 60mm macro lens. So far I'm enjoying it. Looking forward to the new EM1 MKII in the fall... Cheers, Greg
@@DavidThorpeMFT I have the G5, G7, E-PL7, E-M5ii, GH4, G9, and now a used PEN-F. At the time of release the E-PL7 shared much of the innards of the E-M10ii, and the PEN-F that of the E-M5ii. All of the MFT now share the 'designed by Panasonic built by Sony' LMOS sensor whether 16MB or 20MB, mounting that sensor varies with manufacturer. The newer technology has allowed the pixels to be pushed closer together on the 20MB, so they are not as small as might be expected, and the well depth improved. [The sensors were originally made by Kodak, then Panasonic, until the latter had problems with a factory. Historically Chinon (who pioneered the AF lens) became Kodak-Japan, the only part left after Kodak got flushed. Kodak pioneered photography for the masses, I still have my first camera, an old wooden Box-Brownie]. I'm glad that MFT held off on the irrational demands for more pixels until newer technology allowed the disadvantages of smaller pixels to be overcome. Comparing the final image quality between PEN-F and E-M5ii, there is little or nothing to chose between them, or the G7, GH4, G9 for that matter. The old G5 is a bit odd in that it shares the 18MB sensor of the GH3, but does not share the multi-aspect function and only implements 16MB. Where these cameras differ is in the haptics and functionality. The old G5 is cute and cuddly, and obviously metal, the G6 felt like a plastic toy, but the G5 suffers from coarse LCD/EVF where you cannot see the image properly until downloaded. The G7 also has that plastic feel but is just as capable as the E-M5ii, and makes an excellent Vlogging camera, very cheap used. The lack of body stabilisation on the G7 and GH4 is not a problem, the Lumix Lens-OIS is very good, it is only when we get to combining lens and body that there is significant improvement. Something on an undocumented feature though, when you fit a Lumix OIS lens (with a switch, e.g. GX 12-35 f/2,8) to an Olympus (e.g. E-M5ii) and set "Lens I.S. Priority" /off/ with the Power OIS switched on, the camera will use a bit of both IBIS and OIS. If you put your ear to the camera, you can hear them operating. This is not Sync-IS and definitely not Dual-IS, but it is better. Despite sharing so many parts, the E-M5ii and the PEN-F are not the same. The PEN-F is more sophisticated and has extra functions. Like the G9 the PEN-F has three wheels instead of two, and which allows the +/-EV to be compensated even in auto-iso. That function is very useful and expected to be used. If you adjust the compensation on the E-M5ii, the auto-iso swings it back. On the PEN-F is does not but alters the metering. The PEN-F is sufficiently different to all the other MFT to teach an old dog new tricks. In some ways like re-learning how to shoot film. Apologies for the long post on an old video. It is not intended to be a review but to highlight some of the technical differences and similarities. As a professional radiometrologist that is second nature to me, but that is a tool and not the art of photography.
Thank you for the nice review! You sum it up pretty well, it is an outstanting camera looks wise, but, too expensive for its specs.... Well, i love my Olympus OM-D E-M10 MarkII.
Great review as always, David. I always liked the look of the Pen F but I think it costs a bit too much even second hand as the GX9 can be bought used for under £400. Like you I also could never figure out why camera companies place the tripod mount hole to the front on certain cameras as it does no favours to your lenses.
Thanks Kenny. It does seem that the price of the Pen F was too high in the first place. Maybe Panasonic could have gone that route with a Leica/ Panasonic as opposed to Panasonic/ Leica but the Pen F was a bit too much E-M10 and not enough E-M1 II for the money. I'm sure PDAF would have made it much more popular. I did love the feel of the thing, I have to say.
Awesome review David, seems very fair and balanced. I enjoy the little details you show us - things I wouldn't have thought of as an amateur. I can't wait for your Pana GX80/85 / GX7 Mk.II review. I'm still hanging out for the Pana GX9 which I hope has a 20+MP sensor with their sensor they are currently developing with Sony, an electromagnetic shutter, and Low Pass filter removed. The GX8 to me seems like the right camera but the GX80 has beautiful features I would like in the 'premium model' like advanced monochrome with low pass filter removed, electromagnetic shutter. The size of the GX8 doesn't bother me though. BTW Don't the French Mechanics call the Citroen - 'Citron' (Lemon)? - thought that was quite funny but unfair parallel to share.
+Brian Cullen I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a GX80, lots of new things for Panasonic. I really, really like the GX8, a truly capable camera and one of my all time favourites. If it had the new stabilization, oh boy!
It only crops the pic so they probably consider it better done in post processing. Surprised they deleted though, maybe trying to declutter their menu.
I think that is so since on my Olympus E-M1 Mkll, which still has the digital zoom, the on screen metering area is simply enlarged along with the image. But if you wanted narrower metering the spot meter would be a better way to go. The problem with digital zoom is that it crops to the centre section and then upsamples by interpolation, the recipe for crisp images since you can't add in detail you haven't captures. If you wanted to show your pic on a table, say, far better to simply crop your normal full size image to the screen size. Then you don't need to interpolate and the image retains all the detail in your crop. Otherwise the camera is interpolating the image to full size only for the tablet to resample it down to fit the screen. Digital zoom belongs to a different age, really. Still on the Olympus E-M1 Mkll though, to my surprise.
David, shooting in black & white, I presume one wouldn't have the usual colour sliders available in Raw post-processing. How would you adjust tonalities ?
+Saurat All of the mono and film effects are derived in camera from the RAW data. If you shoot only JPG, the RAW data is deleted after the JPG is processed and stored on the SD card. If you shoot RAW+JPG, the JPG will be affected but the RAW file will contain all the data from the camera sensor, thus it will be colour. In other words, RAW data is data read directly from the sensor and (in principle) stored unaltered. Thus, it is perfectly possible to transfer the RAW file to your computer, convert to mono in Lightroom, tone it to match the camera's mono JPG and save that as a preset. In future, just shoot normal colour and apply that preset to the RAW file and export to JPG rather than use the camera's mono setting. It's the same thing. Put shortly, you can't alter the RAW's tonality, since it would then no longer be RAW!
I read somewhere that having all the colour information in the image file is essential if we want to further enhance the image in Photoshop or Lightroom. On the other hand, as you rightly said, shooting in colour and converting to mono is not quite the same experience as shooting is B&W . So my question is this: Is it possible to use one of the mono settings on the Pen F and still preserve the colour information ?
Yes, just shoot RAW+JPG (set to Mono, of course). The RAW file is what it says, RAW information off the sensor so contains all the colour information. And if you shoot 3:2 DSLR aspect ratio, the RAW will still be 4:3 with full sensor data.
Art deco beach building! I'm a big fan of art deco. Can you show us some pics or video of any art deco buildings still standing in your city? I can't remember where in England you live. I realize that beach deco building was in France though. Thanks for the review but that art deco pic got me going.
+drillthrallable I love deco too. A white deco building in strong sunlight is just thrilling. There's a fair bit of deco building around where I live which is in South West London. A lot of this area was built in the 30s so deco influence crept in to the more expensive buildings. Flat roofs have a bad name in the UK, though! You might want to Google De La Warr Pavilion images - possibly the finest Deco building in the UK.
Ive been waiting for your opinion on the C-AF "issues" for a while... Great review as always. I fancy the Pen F as a great upgrade to my GM1. But I think I may wait a little for the Premium Price to drop first.
+sesskie Thanks! I'd definitely wait for the price to drop. I'm going to do a straight comparison of the Pen F and GX8 soon so it'll be interesting to see how much, if any difference the DfD makes. Hard to do anything definitive though even if you have scientific equipment because it is hard to find a subject that moves 'randomly' consistently.
+David Thorpe Perhaps children at a playground might provide decent subjects in consistent randomized motion! Though taking pictures at a distance may raise some eyebrows.. try not to wear a trenchcoat! :D Even though the GX8 is undoubtedly better value for money, as you mention in your review, something about the Pen-F just makes you want to use it and enjoy it, and you cant put a price on that. Well, for now.. Olympus apparently have. Looking forward to that comparison review David! Thanks for your videos.
+sesskie Your suggestion for random motion would probably end up being life threatening in the UK as you acknowledge! All you can really do is photograph something coming or going and draw inference from that. With Panasonic particularly single shot is so fast that it will nail most moving subject before they have moved a significant distance anyway.
It is now April, 2018. My question is: have the firmware updates over the last two years done anything to improve the problems with the camera such as the auto focusing?
No, here's been nothing to change the actual focusing speed. The Pen F's autofocus is by no means bad, it's just that it is not up there with the best, which you might expect for the price.
David, than you for your reply. Your review above all others convinced me to purchase the Pen F. I ordered a silver one that is reconditioned from Olympus. 750 US. They convinced me it would be like new. Your review was very professional and thorough and completely illuminated the good and the bad about the camera. I admit that it is the look and the styling that attracts me mostly although I know the camera is very capable. 31 days after I receive the camera, and my return period has ended, Olympus will announce an updated version fixing the deficiencies that you highlighted so well. Hope I’m not boring you. Really enjoyed your review
Haha! I know that update feeling - don't we all? The Pen F is very capable, it's only in certain areas it has weaknesses but in truth few of us ever use our cameras at their extremes. I have cameras on my shelf that do 60fps but I never use faster than 7fps. The Pen F is a camera to buy and keep because you like it.
Hello David Thorpe and friends, Please forgive me if this is an inappropriate way to use comments. Regarding my new (used) Pen F, already my favorite M 4/3 camera. I plan on using it for monochrome only. I want to shoot raw and I am wondering if it you recommend setting the front dial to mono or to set the Picture Mode Settings in Menu to Monochrome? Or maybe only rely on post processing? Or perhaps there is even another, better way to go? Thanks, Andy G.
Personally, I'd set the picture mode because that gives you the choice of all the different flavours of monochrome the Pen F has. I think if you are shooting in monochrome, viewing in it inspires the eye more, so shooting in colour and then processing to mono is going to lead you to miss out on images. I'd say the best way all round is to set the Pen F to shoot RAW+JPG. That way you view and shoot in monochrome but have the RAW file as a backup. With that you can process to a different mono setting if you are unhappy with your in-camera JPG or even process to colour if you feel that would be the way to go for a particular image.
@@DavidThorpeMFT Thanks so much David for your response, it adds clarity to what I plan on doing, it’s a real help. I really enjoy your videos. Stay healthy, happy, and safe, Andrew Goodman
+ottomatteseo Their menusand logic have come in for so much stick, I'm sure it must be on their list for reappraisal. Probably a group of Olympus engineers sitting in a small room, drinking coffee and arguing over it at this very moment. The Custom settings on the dial of the Pen F show that they are aware of the problem at least.
RIP, David. I am only beginning to discover the wealth & value of your videos. Rest easy.
My first D. Thorpe review. An absolute pleasure -- detailed, relevant, intelligent and witty. I shall always think of the Pen F as the diamond-encrusted knickers camera . . .
I bet Olympus will be pleased with me for that! Thanks John.
I always turn to your reviews for a sensible, but still artistic, viewpoint. Thank you for posting.
+wipeoutking Thnaks for that, much appreciated!
So far you've made the best review I have watched on this camera! Well done and thank you!
+arthur mcphee That's nice of you to say so, Arthur, thanks. I found this one of the most difficult cameras to review so far.
I agree. I gem.
Love your open honestly in this review. I've just bought this pair of diamond encrusted knickers, and can't wait to wear them !
You'll enjoy them....er, it, John :-)
Now that the Pen-f discontinued, I want one. I enjoy your rather philosophical yet unapologetically personal reviews. Photography after all is more about the photographer and their personal experiences than the images they produce.
It'll be interesting to see how many Pens go on the S/H market. It struck me as a camera you'd buy to keep, given the lovely contraction and Leica vibe.
eBay has them for £500+
David you seem to understand me, what i value, and my experience. Please continue to make these videos.
Gerry in Calgary.
+Gerald Prost I'm very moved by that, Gerry. Thanks so much.
Mr. Thorpe. I've seen all your videos and you continue to amaze me with your insight and clarity. Thank you so much for all you do!
+Rudy Leue Messages like that make it worthwhile even apart from the vast riches I am accruing from the videos :-) Thanks so much, rudy!
As ever, a balanced honest review with appropriate comparison. Views that only come from people who really understand the discipline that is photography. Whilst the shortcoming are iterated the benefits not forgotten, brilliant!
Thanks very much Martyn!
Your reviews are downright literary. Analogy is a powerful tool of communication and you use it as well as anyone. Thanks as always.
Thanks, Peter!
Listening to these reviews feels like listening to a well done audio book.
Figured I'd try out m4/3 so I picked up a second hand PEN-F, two zooms and a prime. So far I am enjoying it very much.
It's a refreshing change coming from the Sony a6000. Much more fun to shoot with.
Thanks! Why is it more fun than the Sony? Because it is more like a film camera or the handling itself?
Panzer Applehusky i
I wish Panzer would reply to your question. I, too, picked up an A6000 with 2 kit lenses for a good deal. It is functional, has amazing fast fps and autofocus and I use it on assignment. As an implement in my hand, it's just another spoon. Does the job but is devoid of the tactile pleasure of say a Fuji X or, in this case (taking your word for it, David) the Pen-F which I'm still itching to get my hands on. This is the second time I've watched your review. I've learned a lot since the first viewing and would eagerly switch to a MFT kit of 2 x Pen-F, 17mm, 42.5mm and 75mm. Thanks for posting this review, very watchable, very listenable, erudite fun.
Explain yourself, sir! Why is shooting with the Pen-F so much more fun than the A6000?
Its fun for him but that dosent mean the a6000 wont be fun for you guys lol try both & feel for urselves, id have fun with either 👍
What a great review, David. I just bought a really clean used Pen-F with under 1000 clicks. I'm a 51 year Nikon user but, was introduced into the M43 world by my brother. I've only had the camera for a day but, I'm thrilled with it and your review reinforces that I made a good choice. Thank you!
You'll enjoy it, I'm sure, Alan. And thanks!
This is an excellent review in all respects. Well done!
Thanks very much, Stanley!
Diamond encrusted knickers. Pure genius. Great review, thank you.
Thank you, Charles!
Dear David wunderfull review. The value of emotion in photografie is so important. And if a camera can open the door to our feelings our fotos will be much more fullfilling than technical aspects. Fotos are about feelings...and this camera trigger feelings like Leica does.
Nicely put Klaus, thank you.
Hi David, Great review and very well delivered. I took the opportunity to test one at my local camera store and it is indeed a beautifully designed and well crafted product. It's expensive but like you rightly say it's a camera that makes you want to pick it up and use it ... Priceless. :)
+Charlie Pragnell Thanks Charlie and glad you liked the video!
Did you buy one Charlie? ;) Haha was just watching this and saw your comment here.
James Stevenson Hi James, planning on getting one very soon. I might actually get the black version, more discreet for street photography. 📷
I am watching and truly enjoying YOU and YOUR video, with YOU recently not walking this earth ... I am once again hoping that YOU are able to follow the comments that I leave for YOU, as I have Love and Respect for YOU and YOUR photographic Passion..... John ;)
i am thinking of buying either olympus pen f or sony a6300. I have seen so many different reviews and i think this is the best review i have seen so far for this camera :)
That's good to hear, Leo, thanks for telling me!
Just got the Pen-F for Christmas, I'm in love!
It's wonderful to hear that, Marielle - my bet is you'll still be in love with it next Christmas too! Perfect for the travel shots and videos you do - very nice, by the way.
Thank you. You probably saw the RUclips stuff, a mix of iPhone and my old Olympus SH (had 3 of those). Last one died, no more SH series. I liked the built in zoom for my purposes. Tried another brand this fall briefly - it was a horrible experience. Back with an Olympus and very happy with my choice - looking forward to this year's travels with the Pen-F. My more serious attempts at stills are over on RedBubble - www.redbubble.com/people/southwestsun :) @@DavidThorpeMFT
If RUclips had a Hall of Fame, David Thorpe would be a shoe in!
Great review David! Extremely informative and wonderful photos.
+armaniusmaximus Good to hear and thanks for telling me!
Best review of the Pen F I've seen. Well written and thought out dialog to go with the well produced video. Thank you.
+Simon Yeo Thank you Simon
Good information. I don't think this is a camera for me but at least I now know why.
outstanding review with reasonable subjective evaluation made by pro photographer. Enjoyable and informative. Thanks!
+RUclipsNamePlaceholder Thanks! I try to make a clear division between what is my subjective opinion and my 'outside' one and it's nice to know it is appreciated.
We miss you David.
This is the best review I've seen so far about this camera. Thank you for helping to take a decision. Regards from Barcelona.
+Wil Santana Thanks for that, Wil - glad it was helpful.
Been waiting and waiting and waiting to catch one of these at a good price and it finally happened. Thank you keeping this video up for me to come back to.
Glad it was helpful - and that you have a Pen F at a good price. I think if Olympus had priced it a bit more keenly, it would still be selling.
Wonderful review of a camera I'm seriously considering. Like a lot of people I'm usually function over form (been that way for over 45 years of photo fandom) but this time I think I'll "chillax" and go for the whole package.
+Jeffrey Adams The Pen F strikes me as a camera that you would keep a long time. It is solid and good to use and it'll be a long time before anything materially better comes along. Different, maybe, better, no.
I'm still chuckling over 'diamond encrusted knickers'.
+oly 35mm Don't laugh! I'm wearing them now :-)
Best review of this camera I've yet seen. Nice job.
Thanks, Huw.
Got the silver and black 17 mm and 45mm sweet setup
Yes, classic.
Excellent review on this camera. The best review I have seen on the Pen F thus far.
+Ian Palmer (The Portraiteer) It's great to hear that - thanks very much Ian!
Love watching your videos. Carefully researched and informative.
Glad you think so - and thanks!
As always....a really great review David . Thank you.
+Ian Knight Thanks, Ian!
Best review I've seen of the Pan F David. Thank you
Good to hear that - thank you!
David, one of the best review! Thank you!
+Pawel Buczynski Thanks very much, Pawel!
Great demonstration video. The monochrome features on this camera have me sold. Going to replace my aging EPL-1 for this 4/3 camera.
The Leica style design goes well with the monochrome capabilities of the Pen F. A bit like a Leica, it's different and so a camera you are likely to keep for along time.
I did just what you thought of doing. Well worth it.
Indeed the best Pen F review i've listened to. Thanx! In the last minutes you really nailed the whole trivial aspect around this camera. Coming from a e-pl3 (with E-vf2 always atached), it's a tough decision....
+Marc Lenten Thanks Marc!
A great relaxed view of a great camera - Love the Black Version - Thanks
Thanks you, Lawrence.
@@DavidThorpeMFT I am a great fan of your videos
Why I like listening to your voice I don't know. I also feel like MTF will not die when I hear it from you in your voice
What a lovely thing to say, Santosh, thank you!
A very pleasurable review to watch on this camera. Thank you. I want to buy this body and it feels like a strange indulgence to do so. I think you nailed that fweling in your review.
+Mitch Eckhardt Guilty pleasures! Seriously, you are paying extra for the look and feel but if you enjoy using and handling the camera more as a result, nothing wrong with that.
+David Thorpe I just pulled the trigger on a "like new" model from an Amazon seller for $999. Feels just a bit less indulgent. 😉
+Mitch Eckhardt Don't know about indulgent - sounds like a great price to me! The 'like new', someone told me, is often someone who has ordered a camera, doesn't like it and sends it back. Essentially, it's a new camera. I've never had any qualms at all when it's from a reputable source like Amazon or sometimes even the makers themselves.
+David Thorpe well I have a pair of "like new" diamond encrusted knickers on the way. 😂
+Mitch Eckhardt Way too much information, Mitch :-)
And yet again David, I thoroughly enjoyed your video.
+barra650 Thanks for that!
Hah, had to watch your video until finally someone pointed out the design similarities to the Leica screw mounts. Quite funny though, as the original half-frame 35 mm film Pen F was market as being of a comparable size to a Leica screw mount and targeted at customers in Japan who taught the Leica M was too big originally. The review is as always top notch, thank you and glad that I found your channel!
Thanks Arnd - and for the interesting information on the size of the original Pen F.
Hello David. Many thanks for this old but very helpful Pen-f video. I'm currently shooting an EM-1 Mark II for my Color and Macro Photography and am considering getting a used Pen-f body to match up with my wonderful PanaLeica 15mm f1.7 lens for my BNW Photography efforts. My plan is to keep the PL lens on the Pen-f and use my M.Zuiko 60mm f2.8 macro lens on my EM1. I'd really appreciate hearing back from you on this idea.
Think this chap is sadley no more! Which is why you've had no response. Every MFT camera I bought was based on his honest reviews. Rip:(
I really hope EM1 m2 will have a new, revolutionary sensor :) Otherwise I still feel my weathered and trusted EM1 is as good as any new camera that's coming out in the system, no incentive to upgrade yet. Although the Pen F is certainly gorgeous.
+Timur Dzhambinov I'm pretty sure as the top of the line model it will have. Or a 24Mp one, of course :-) Joking! I don't think there's any camera yet that is really merits describing as an upgrade to the E-M1, as you say. I think what people will be looking for is a substantial improvement to its already best in class C-AF. It would be unreasonable to expect a £1000 camera to math a £5,000 DSLR but if it could match or better the model down from those professional bodies, that would be a massive attraction.
Having said that, the C-AF on even the sub £1000 Micro Four Thirds is no slouch. We have such high expectations these days! The Pen F, yes gorgeous. If it was £100/ 150 cheaper than the GX8 it would be a great buy. But looks don't come cheap, I know. It costs me hundreds of pounds to stay the chisel jawed, slim and lithe young buck that I am :-)
I love the cat analogy at the end. Another great review, David.
+Dustinrhoades Thanks Dustin! The mog was a real beauty but a complete tart!
Dave, I love your reviews. I dont use these cameras at all, but I love the way you deliver.
+devtank That's interesting - rather flattering actually. Thanks.
+David Thorpe I was trying to think of the words yesterday but couldnt. Id say you deliver in a personal and lyrical way.
+devtank What can I say? Thanks.
David, you are a legend. Thank you for the excellent reviews!
I glad you like them - and thank you for taking the trouble to tell me!
@@DavidThorpeMFT , thank you for your reply and it's no trouble at all! I've been a subscriber for years, and I bought my first 'real' camera (Panasonic G7) with your help in 2015. I later upgraded to the G85 (as it's named in Canada) and I really like it.
I'm revisiting your reviews to decide which (if any) camera body I should purchase to complement the G85. I'd like a small, stylish, and affordable model that I could carry with me all the time, as I find the G85 a tad big for that purpose. The Pen-F would be great, but it's a little too pricey for my needs. The camera I'm considering getting would mainly be for stills and Wifi functionality between my phone and camera is a feature I would really like. I'm debating between the EM10 Mk ii (as you seemed to prefer this one to the Mk iii) and Panasonic Gx85. Any suggestions you may have would be much appreciated!
as with most consumables this camera is coming down in price just saw 825 on fleebay condition is listed as used a few times... hummm. well at least there are coming into a reasonable area.. the em5 mk2 also is under 700$ new... now that afantastic price for a weather sealed cam with ibis...
I was on the fence between this and the em5ii, and went with the latter. Functionality best beauty. I can wait to watch your video on the em1ii whenever that comes out.
Also, your photos are amazing. I hope to one day have skills like you.
+Beardbrand I wonder when we'll see an E_Mll? Thanks for the compliment re the pix. Very pleasing to me. After years taking pictures day in day out, you just develop skills without even knowing it. And a sort of 'style' creeps up on you, often recognised by other people better than the photographer hi(her)self. The more you do it the better it gets!
+Beardbrand I'm in the same boat. But I think em5ii will serve me much better, weather sealing is a must at that high price point.
you all prolly dont give a shit but does someone know of a way to log back into an Instagram account..?
I stupidly lost the login password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me
@Ivan Allan Instablaster =)
@Maurice Kaysen Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site on google and I'm in the hacking process atm.
Takes a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Excellent review.
I really wish they would make Pen F purely for photos. especially if they are going to sell it for that price. Just strip way any video capabilities and put the money saved from that into more photography features like an extra sd card slot, weather sealing, or more buffering etc. I think that purest photographer would love this camera then.
+Apollo Haywood I think a lot of photographers would like that but Olympus obviously feel it important to upgrade the video capabilities of their cameras. I prefer to have some video capability myself but 20mbps FHD with the default settings does enough for me. The GM1 can do that. The GH4 is there for folk who want more video.
Now I think of it, I'd like a Pen F with an optical hybrid finder like Fuji do.
I would not have bought it if it did not have video capability, and impressive for the camera at that. I think Olympus is right to include and and not exclude a huge customer base by omitting video. Really, what camera for amateur and pros alike of this type does not have video?
Wonderful review. You have a narrative style which works very well. :)
+Eduardo Marquez Thanks Eduardo. I think it all through before I open my mouth - that helps :-)
It’s an absolutely fantastic unit...I am still using the E-M5 Mark I but I have a friend with the Pen f, and my time using hers has me wondering if my next body will be the E-M5 mark iii or the pen f mark ii.
If I’m recording that band however...it will be the body that comes with a guitar tuner on it ........
Great review David.
I tried using a Boss TU12EX on the open mic-ers but while it improved their sound, I couldn't find the EVF, shutter button or focusing ring so gave up :-)
Best camera for street photography, I blacked out the front white lettering with a felt tip pen.
Yet another fine review, David. When my daughter absconded with my ep-1 I purchased the ep-5, which I have used to great satisfaction, until recently, when my daughter eloped with it, leaving me little choice but to find my way into the arms of the Pen F, which arrived just the other day. As a third-generation Pen owner, familiarizing myself with the camera took hardly any time at all, but I couldn't agree with you more about the front dial and that it should be entirely programmable. Personally, I could do without all the "creative" dials on this or any camera -- just give me a load of programmable dials, thank you very much. The mono dial? Well, I simply program C1 for my mono preferences and go with that. I suspect I won't use the front dial hardly at all. And I don't care for the default position of C3 and C4 being "art" or "scene" modes! Maybe I want the camera to be more "serious" than was intended. That said, so far I am pleased, especially with the articulating screen, which is helpful for discreet street shooting more so than that of the ep-5.
+greenophotography Haha! Daughters, eh? You're right about being more serious. I suppose from olympus's point of view, they want to appeal as broadly as they can and with a camera such as this there will be a fair number of people who buy it on appearance and will enjoy all the options without ever wanting to become photographers as such.
This is the first review by you that I have read, David. I agree with the comment by "wipeoutking" that your review is sensible and still artistic. I'll be looking for more of your reviews. My Pen-F in black is on the way. I am certainly one of those consumers suckered in by the form and ignoring the shortcomings given the price. I am an experienced photographer and I hope those shortfalls won't be annoying. If I find myself loving the feel of the camera, taking it everywhere, and producing more photos then it'll be worth the price! It is also my first Olympus so we'll see how that goes!
+Mike Weiser I'm glad you like the review, Mike. I'd echo your point - as an experienced photographer you are in a position to make an informed decision that you will overlook any shortcomings for the pleasure of using the camera. I don't think you'll find any shortcomings annoying. Judged on its own and disregarding the price, I'm not sure the Pen F has any shortcomings. It's only when pitched against another similarly priced camera that it would be noticeable. But how do you put a price on wanting to pick it up and use it? If you find yourself loving the feel of the camera and taking more pictures, I'd argue that that is priceless, actually.
That high grain movie look was fascinating .
Yes, neat and very characterful.
another great review and insight. and, yes , I totally agree the design takes a lot of its cues from the Leila 3 than the film Olympus Pen F.. so many people can't or refuse to see this.. the resemblance is so obvious.. more so than the film Pen F with the exception of the body top plate outline from the top view. anyways, really like the new Pen-F, but hard to justify getting this to replace my om-d e-m5 mkII, but as a second body, yes. I'd use primes primarily with the new Pen-F and zooms and longer lenses with the e-m5 mkII.
+Wing Yip Thanks for the kind words. Yes, the resemblance to the Leica is striking. Its natural companions t me are probably the 17 and 45mm Olympus lenses. The 12 would look nice too....and the 75mm...no, enough already :-)
I agree.. pretty much any of olympus's primes from 12-75 would work and look striking on the Pen-F.
On a side related note, I've had an opportunity to own and try the Mitakon 25mm F0.95 Speedmaster for MFT and it is pretty nice.. surprisingly nice IQ for such a compact and solid built super fast prime.. just wished it had clicking aperture settings on the aperture ring. Manually focusing with focus assist works quite nice on the Olympus with this nice lens if you wanted to try manual focus and enjoy it's unique rendering. yes, focusing wide open at f0.95 is quite challenging, even with focus peaking (which is not 100%), but if you have the patience to dial in your focus wide open, the results can be very satisfying. For the price of under $400, it's a great alternative to Voigtlander's Nokton equivalent offering which is at least double the cost, not to mention the size and weight.
+Wing Yip Interesting lens, I'd like to try one. Such an aperture shows up the tiniest focusing inaccuracy but I was brought up on manual focusing (often just setting a distance rather than using a screen) and with practise it become quite easy.
Fantastic review!! I think it will be a very interesting camera in 10-12 months... however right now it's quite the rip off at 1200€ here in Germany, I'd go with an A7 or A7ii for that money, only good thing is that MFT cameras drop in price quite fast here, so I'll wait...
+STEHH87 That's the best ploy, I reckon. I expect there will be a rush of buyers who are attracted to the camera's very attractive form as much as its performance. Then people like you will come in when the price goes down. Glad you liked the review.
Your reviews are enjoyable. Thanks.
+Marc Ramirez Good to hear that, Marc, thank you!
Hopefully future firmware updates will fix some of its AF issues.... Lovely looking camera, I was about too pull the trigger on one, but I ended up buying a nicely discounted fujifilm x-t10 with kit lens plus a couple of primes, I predominantly shoot jpeg now, because I'm too lazy to play around with raw files in post editing, and you can't go wrong with either Olympus or Fujifilm, both produce beautiful jpeg images..... Thanks for the review David, very informative and honest as usual.. Cheers!
+soixante douze Thanks! I'm not sure how far they can improve the AF with firmware upgrades. All very complicated.
Thank you for the review!
Thank you, Michael!
Always enjoy your reviews! So well presented....so fair...always spot on. The Pen F is a very nice camera....and yes, the styling is hard to resist. It's going to be hard not to jump on one here soon.
+Steve Arbabi Thanks Steve! I'd wait a bit, i think the price is bound to drop. There are already a few deals on it oin the uK.
Hello David
Apologies if you've answered this before, somewhere else in the comments section, but would you have any suggestions on how the Mono 2 setting on the Pen F might be replicated in the EM5 MarkII? I 'm trying to tweak the shadow/highlight/midtone curves along with the contrast setting, but with limited success. Would you have any baseline suggestions that might be a good starting point?
Kind regards
Mark Rowley
The main difference looks to be in the Curves settings as Photoshop calls them, Highlights and Shadows as they are called on the SCP. I haven't got a Mark II to hand but set the camera to Grainy Art and then go to +5 or +6 on the Highlights and -5 or -6 in the Shadows (the Highlight and Shadow setting should be found on the SCP). The Pen F's setting is quite extreme so you could knock the exposure down by 1/3 or 1.2 a stop for the moody effect.
David Thorpe Many thanks David. For whatever reason I didn't think that the shadow/highlight/midtone curves could be used alongside the Art filters. Shows how much I know about the permutations available with this camera! I'll give it a go and see what happens. BTW how do I go about making a financial contribution to your channel? I very much appreciate what you do, but realise that fresh air doesn't pay the bills.
Kind regards
Mark Rowley
@@markrowley6847 Mark, I don't think anyone knows all the combinations of things these cameras can do! On my later videos I've put a PayPal URL for any contributions - but I'm slightly embarrassed to do it - and please don't feel obligated.
Hello David
You've got me stumped. I've looked on your recent videos for the PayPal URL link but can't find them anywhere. I may well be looking in the wrong place for these links. Would the fact that I'm using an iPad and an iMac make any difference? I've bunged Gordon Laing a few bob for his video reviews and would like to do the same for you too. Any suggestions on where to look would be gratefully received.
On a separate note I see that you are using a Peak Design wrist strap. These seem quite expensive for what they are but would be grateful for your thoughts on whether they are worth the premium. I'm thinking of getting one of these or something similar for my Olympus OMD EM5 Mark II.
Kind regards
Mark Rowley
Here’s the link to his PayPal donation site ;)
www.paypal.me/mftman
Nice review! This is a nice extra camera (for smaller form factor) after the GH5. Only wish this had at least passable 4K video.
Thanks, glad you liked it! Yes, it would be useful and 4K is coming to be expected . I imagine the Pen F MkII will have 4K not that I have any information about whether there will even be a Pen F MkII.
Hi David, thank you so much for the very good review. I will buy the camera soon. Please tell me, what kind of lens hood are on your pen-f. Thank you.
It is on my Olympus 17mm - it's a cheapie from eBay but Amazon have them too, amzn.to/2qQydnk (UK) and amzn.to/2pU3Uix (USA).
Great review David! Having Leica M I was eager to buy it as a second AF camera. Unfortunately once tested, EVF and AF quite disappointing comparing to GX8. Obviously, GX8 doesn't look (and feel) as good as PEN :)
+Pavel Fedosejev The GX8's EVF is excellent and the focusing differences, while not vast, do matter considering the relative prices of the cameras. I'm going to do a direxct comparison bewteen teh two cameras as soon as I can.
Interesting take on this camera.
It almost persuaded me to switch from my GX85. But for now, I'll stick with it.
The Pen F is a beautiful object but in terms of general function it doesn't do anything that the GX85 doesn't. Plus, the pancake standard zoom the Pen F comes with is not exactly stellar. A GX85 plus 12-32 _and_ 35-100 mini zooms, both excellent performers, cost less, too. I wouldn't swap them.
gret video as always David - yes a great looking camera - with some good points and some not so great :) - first I think the cost is a bit high especially compared to the other Oly bodies - I have the Em1 and EM5 - I have tried the Pen -F - yes pleasure to watch - and I do like the dial on front with the nice BW mode -
I just have a hard time with the Oly menu system and no Touch for menu items - and no Soft Fn - I do like that it has Flip LCD - but I cannot understand why Oly cannot update their Touch Lcd to include menu functions - That is where I think Panasonic has just done a stellar job - my GX8 does not look as retro or attractive - but using side by side I just cannot justify getting the Pen-F - I also have 2 GX7's which I really like using -
I have come to really like the 4K stills modes the GX8 offers - and now price has come down on the GX8 - My feeling is the same on the GX7 vs EM5/m2 for example - yes the EM5/m2 look nicer - however the EVF hump is an irritation when putting in camera bags - I must more prefer FlatTop bodies with EVF on the side -
I find the AF better on the GX8 vs the Pen-F - especially in low light - just the best in low light focusing - I also found that tracking AF was better on the GX8 -
So yes I am a camera hoarder :) and I am tempted to get the Pen-F but it really would be for the looks as in my mind the GX8 is just all-around better and cheaper -
The new Sony A6300 has some nice features especially fast tracking focus - I do have the NEX5n NEX7 and A6000 - and yes the 24MP sensor in the NEX7 and A6000 is really nice - but the menu and NO Touch LCD - the lack of lenses - and the fact lenses are larger and heavier - just makes my Sony E bodies collect dust - I do have the Fuji X100s and XT1 - and yes Fuji makes nice glass and selection is fairly good - and yes their look nice and have retro styling - but No Touch LCD - no IBIS - and no Fuji primes with IS - no 4k and lenses are heavier and larger then M43 over all -
So I find my self using the GX8 a lot - and of course my GX7's - sometimes the EM1 - and of course I use my GM5 with the 42.5 mm F1.8 a lot - so little and light that it takes no space in my bag - and I just keep around my neck most of the time - although I might have the GX8 in my hand -
So great looks for sure - but pricy and so so in tracking AF and no 4K - I am waiting to see if Panasonic is releasing an update to the GM5 - a GM7
+jon hermannsson Your thinking is pretty much the same as mine. If I was pushed, I'd say that the GX8 was the best all round Micro Four Thirds camera so far, actually. I still have my little GM1 - the GMs are so absurdly small that I always have it with me. And the E-M1, lovely but I have to disable some of the buttons or I never know what settings I'm on.
How do you change aperture on this (and other) olympus cameras? Is there a lense ring, similar to fugi?
Eta on Pen-F GX8 comparison video?
+Cody Robinson A week or so if the weather is OK :-)
Wonderful - glad that I bought M II!
Great camera!
I've bought this camera today, it doesn't make any sense as I do have technically wise much better cameras, mft as well as other formats even as big as medium format (645z), but I don't regret it the philosophy (or whatever you call it) of this camera is just the way I feel deep in my maniac photographic heart!
They went for a quality feel and achieved it. Sometimes thi ngs are about more than sense, aren't they?
Awesome review
Another excellent review, David!
+Shaka Thanks, Shaka!
It almost seems they could have added a few features ie weather sealing etc, that would have made this a little bit less specialist and more evey day camera... great review
I agree. Given the price I'd have taken weather sealing for granted.
well It never really worked as a cool look for me, its not bad but I had a close shape in the A6000 and prefer the em1 or em5 design... its funny adding a fraction of an inch on the bottom really helps me hold my 5 mk2, mod'ed half case with battery access and extended tripod mouint, use a slr neck strap for ease of lens exchange in the feild...
and back to this, its kind of nifty, I would think more a kin the the 10 or 10 mk 2... people I know who have these wonders do enjoy them, seem to get a retro vibe...
I get a retro vibe by using all manual old glass... my fist camera in the 70s was an argus... go figure
I like the image quality of the film lenses. It is less clinical somehow though probably technically inferior to digital era lenses. But in the end it is the image that counts and it really is pleasing to see these wonderful lenes finding a new lease of life. nd often among young photographers, too.
the EM10-2 doesn't have a mic socket- oh. Well saved, that man ;)
Another great review David, thanks! I have been shooting stills with my GH3 because it is currently my only camera. However, it's primary use is for video. With that said I have been looking for an Olympus camera for stills (5 axis stabilization). I had my eye on the EM5 MKII and saw this. I love the idea of the larger sensor, the diminutive size and its looks, but I was really hoping to see the EM1 MKII released instead of the PEN-F. Unfortunately there are no camera stores in the area that carry anything beyond Cannon and NIkon. I will be in San Francisco next week maybe I'll have the opportunity to put my hands on at least the EM5 mkII. If I get lucky they have the PEN-F...
Cheers,
Greg
+Greg Allen You are paying a high premium for the design with the Pen F. Nothing wrong with that but in terms of function the E- M5ll is much better value with much nicer EVF. The less pretty alternative to the Pen F is more the E-M10ll in many ways, as I say in the video. If you are happy with the GH3 - and it's a great camera, I'd be inclined to wait until they put the 20Mp in another camera. In day to day photography, I'm not sure the 20Mp sensor is of itself a reason to change which makes the E-M5ll an attractive buy.
+David Thorpe I purchased the EM5 MKII a couple weeks ago along with the 60mm macro lens. So far I'm enjoying it. Looking forward to the new EM1 MKII in the fall...
Cheers,
Greg
@@DavidThorpeMFT I have the G5, G7, E-PL7, E-M5ii, GH4, G9, and now a used PEN-F. At the time of release the E-PL7 shared much of the innards of the E-M10ii, and the PEN-F that of the E-M5ii.
All of the MFT now share the 'designed by Panasonic built by Sony' LMOS sensor whether 16MB or 20MB, mounting that sensor varies with manufacturer. The newer technology has allowed the pixels to be pushed closer together on the 20MB, so they are not as small as might be expected, and the well depth improved. [The sensors were originally made by Kodak, then Panasonic, until the latter had problems with a factory. Historically Chinon (who pioneered the AF lens) became Kodak-Japan, the only part left after Kodak got flushed. Kodak pioneered photography for the masses, I still have my first camera, an old wooden Box-Brownie].
I'm glad that MFT held off on the irrational demands for more pixels until newer technology allowed the disadvantages of smaller pixels to be overcome.
Comparing the final image quality between PEN-F and E-M5ii, there is little or nothing to chose between them, or the G7, GH4, G9 for that matter. The old G5 is a bit odd in that it shares the 18MB sensor of the GH3, but does not share the multi-aspect function and only implements 16MB. Where these cameras differ is in the haptics and functionality. The old G5 is cute and cuddly, and obviously metal, the G6 felt like a plastic toy, but the G5 suffers from coarse LCD/EVF where you cannot see the image properly until downloaded. The G7 also has that plastic feel but is just as capable as the E-M5ii, and makes an excellent Vlogging camera, very cheap used. The lack of body stabilisation on the G7 and GH4 is not a problem, the Lumix Lens-OIS is very good, it is only when we get to combining lens and body that there is significant improvement. Something on an undocumented feature though, when you fit a Lumix OIS lens (with a switch, e.g. GX 12-35 f/2,8) to an Olympus (e.g. E-M5ii) and set "Lens I.S. Priority" /off/ with the Power OIS switched on, the camera will use a bit of both IBIS and OIS. If you put your ear to the camera, you can hear them operating. This is not Sync-IS and definitely not Dual-IS, but it is better.
Despite sharing so many parts, the E-M5ii and the PEN-F are not the same. The PEN-F is more sophisticated and has extra functions. Like the G9 the PEN-F has three wheels instead of two, and which allows the +/-EV to be compensated even in auto-iso. That function is very useful and expected to be used. If you adjust the compensation on the E-M5ii, the auto-iso swings it back. On the PEN-F is does not but alters the metering.
The PEN-F is sufficiently different to all the other MFT to teach an old dog new tricks. In some ways like re-learning how to shoot film.
Apologies for the long post on an old video. It is not intended to be a review but to highlight some of the technical differences and similarities. As a professional radiometrologist that is second nature to me, but that is a tool and not the art of photography.
How about low light performance???
Fabulous review. Thanks.
Thanks!
cool video,
I really like your videos.
Good to hear that - thanks for telling me!
What an excellent review!
😁
Thank you for the nice review! You sum it up pretty well, it is an outstanting camera looks wise, but, too expensive for its specs.... Well, i love my Olympus OM-D E-M10 MarkII.
I have an E-M10ll on its way to me shortly. Looking forward to it.
David Thorpe I can´t wait for your review on it.
@ 13:00 you state that the E-M10 Mark 2 has a microphone input. Are you sure? Because my E-M10 Mark 2 doesn't..
+xarausers You are right about that. I picked up the wrong camera :-(
Very honest and nice review. Well done :).
Thanks, Roy!
Great review as always, David. I always liked the look of the Pen F but I think it costs a bit too much even second hand as the GX9 can be bought used for under £400. Like you I also could never figure out why camera companies place the tripod mount hole to the front on certain cameras as it does no favours to your lenses.
Thanks Kenny. It does seem that the price of the Pen F was too high in the first place. Maybe Panasonic could have gone that route with a Leica/ Panasonic as opposed to Panasonic/ Leica but the Pen F was a bit too much E-M10 and not enough E-M1 II for the money. I'm sure PDAF would have made it much more popular. I did love the feel of the thing, I have to say.
Miss you David
David we need a comparison to the just released GX80/85 ASAP compared to the Pen-F ;)
+Cody Robinson Not even in this country yet, Cody. I'll be getting on as soon as they are.
Awesome review David, seems very fair and balanced. I enjoy the little details you show us - things I wouldn't have thought of as an amateur. I can't wait for your Pana GX80/85 / GX7 Mk.II review. I'm still hanging out for the Pana GX9 which I hope has a 20+MP sensor with their sensor they are currently developing with Sony, an electromagnetic shutter, and Low Pass filter removed. The GX8 to me seems like the right camera but the GX80 has beautiful features I would like in the 'premium model' like advanced monochrome with low pass filter removed, electromagnetic shutter. The size of the GX8 doesn't bother me though.
BTW
Don't the French Mechanics call the Citroen - 'Citron' (Lemon)? - thought that was quite funny but unfair parallel to share.
+Brian Cullen I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a GX80, lots of new things for Panasonic. I really, really like the GX8, a truly capable camera and one of my all time favourites. If it had the new stabilization, oh boy!
Excellent 👍
I just updated the firmware on my Pen-F. Unfortunately, Olympus has decided to remove the 2x digital zoom feature
It only crops the pic so they probably consider it better done in post processing. Surprised they deleted though, maybe trying to declutter their menu.
I was of the impression that the camera would only meter the cropped area, when using the digital zoom.
I think that is so since on my Olympus E-M1 Mkll, which still has the digital zoom, the on screen metering area is simply enlarged along with the image. But if you wanted narrower metering the spot meter would be a better way to go.
The problem with digital zoom is that it crops to the centre section and then upsamples by interpolation, the recipe for crisp images since you can't add in detail you haven't captures. If you wanted to show your pic on a table, say, far better to simply crop your normal full size image to the screen size. Then you don't need to interpolate and the image retains all the detail in your crop.
Otherwise the camera is interpolating the image to full size only for the tablet to resample it down to fit the screen. Digital zoom belongs to a different age, really. Still on the Olympus E-M1 Mkll though, to my surprise.
I was mistaken. The digital zoom has reappeared.
Might make a good conjuring trick :-)
David, shooting in black & white, I presume one wouldn't have the usual colour sliders available in Raw post-processing. How would you adjust tonalities ?
+Saurat All of the mono and film effects are derived in camera from the RAW data. If you shoot only JPG, the RAW data is deleted after the JPG is processed and stored on the SD card. If you shoot RAW+JPG, the JPG will be affected but the RAW file will contain all the data from the camera sensor, thus it will be colour.
In other words, RAW data is data read directly from the sensor and (in principle) stored unaltered. Thus, it is perfectly possible to transfer the RAW file to your computer, convert to mono in Lightroom, tone it to match the camera's mono JPG and save that as a preset. In future, just shoot normal colour and apply that preset to the RAW file and export to JPG rather than use the camera's mono setting. It's the same thing.
Put shortly, you can't alter the RAW's tonality, since it would then no longer be RAW!
I read somewhere that having all the colour information in the image file is essential if we want to further enhance the image in Photoshop or Lightroom. On the other hand, as you rightly said, shooting in colour and converting to mono is not quite the same experience as shooting is B&W . So my question is this: Is it possible to use one of the mono settings on the Pen F and still preserve the colour information ?
Yes, just shoot RAW+JPG (set to Mono, of course). The RAW file is what it says, RAW information off the sensor so contains all the colour information. And if you shoot 3:2 DSLR aspect ratio, the RAW will still be 4:3 with full sensor data.
Thanks again David!
Art deco beach building! I'm a big fan of art deco. Can you show us some pics or video of any art deco buildings still standing in your city? I can't remember where in England you live. I realize that beach deco building was in France though. Thanks for the review but that art deco pic got me going.
+drillthrallable I love deco too. A white deco building in strong sunlight is just thrilling. There's a fair bit of deco building around where I live which is in South West London. A lot of this area was built in the 30s so deco influence crept in to the more expensive buildings. Flat roofs have a bad name in the UK, though! You might want to Google De La Warr Pavilion images - possibly the finest Deco building in the UK.
Ive been waiting for your opinion on the C-AF "issues" for a while... Great review as always. I fancy the Pen F as a great upgrade to my GM1. But I think I may wait a little for the Premium Price to drop first.
+sesskie Thanks! I'd definitely wait for the price to drop. I'm going to do a straight comparison of the Pen F and GX8 soon so it'll be interesting to see how much, if any difference the DfD makes. Hard to do anything definitive though even if you have scientific equipment because it is hard to find a subject that moves 'randomly' consistently.
+David Thorpe Perhaps children at a playground might provide decent subjects in consistent randomized motion! Though taking pictures at a distance may raise some eyebrows.. try not to wear a trenchcoat! :D
Even though the GX8 is undoubtedly better value for money, as you mention in your review, something about the Pen-F just makes you want to use it and enjoy it, and you cant put a price on that. Well, for now.. Olympus apparently have. Looking forward to that comparison review David! Thanks for your videos.
+sesskie Your suggestion for random motion would probably end up being life threatening in the UK as you acknowledge!
All you can really do is photograph something coming or going and draw inference from that. With Panasonic particularly single shot is so fast that it will nail most moving subject before they have moved a significant distance anyway.
It is now April, 2018. My question is: have the firmware updates over the last two years done anything to improve the problems with the camera such as the auto focusing?
No, here's been nothing to change the actual focusing speed. The Pen F's autofocus is by no means bad, it's just that it is not up there with the best, which you might expect for the price.
David, than you for your reply. Your review above all others convinced me to purchase the Pen F. I ordered a silver one that is reconditioned from Olympus. 750 US. They convinced me it would be like new. Your review was very professional and thorough and completely illuminated the good and the bad about the camera. I admit that it is the look and the styling that attracts me mostly although I know the camera is very capable. 31 days after I receive the camera, and my return period has ended, Olympus will announce an updated version fixing the deficiencies that you highlighted so well. Hope I’m not boring you. Really enjoyed your review
Haha! I know that update feeling - don't we all? The Pen F is very capable, it's only in certain areas it has weaknesses but in truth few of us ever use our cameras at their extremes. I have cameras on my shelf that do 60fps but I never use faster than 7fps. The Pen F is a camera to buy and keep because you like it.
Hello David Thorpe and friends, Please forgive me if this is an inappropriate way to use comments.
Regarding my new (used) Pen F, already my favorite M 4/3 camera. I plan on using it for monochrome only. I want to shoot raw and I am wondering if it you recommend setting the front dial to mono or to set the Picture Mode Settings in Menu to Monochrome? Or maybe only rely on post processing? Or perhaps there is even another, better way to go? Thanks, Andy G.
Personally, I'd set the picture mode because that gives you the choice of all the different flavours of monochrome the Pen F has. I think if you are shooting in monochrome, viewing in it inspires the eye more, so shooting in colour and then processing to mono is going to lead you to miss out on images. I'd say the best way all round is to set the Pen F to shoot RAW+JPG. That way you view and shoot in monochrome but have the RAW file as a backup. With that you can process to a different mono setting if you are unhappy with your in-camera JPG or even process to colour if you feel that would be the way to go for a particular image.
@@DavidThorpeMFT Thanks so much David for your response, it adds clarity to what I plan on doing, it’s a real help. I really enjoy your videos. Stay healthy, happy, and safe, Andrew Goodman
"No more set myset reset myset set reset youset" lol
This pretty much explains my experience with Olympus camera
+ottomatteseo Their menusand logic have come in for so much stick, I'm sure it must be on their list for reappraisal. Probably a group of Olympus engineers sitting in a small room, drinking coffee and arguing over it at this very moment. The Custom settings on the dial of the Pen F show that they are aware of the problem at least.
Nice job D.
Thanks, Edwin!
Thank you David