As many of you know, I’ve been shooting with the Pen-F for the past year and love that camera. Last week I got the EM-1 Mark II. I was very hesitant to pick up the EM-1 Mark II because I didn’t feel it offered anything I would really use over the Pen-F. I don’t care about the autofocus or high-speed capture. I don’t care about the better ibis or 4k recording. In fact, I feel the Pen-F is actually a better fit for me. I like the rangefinder style camera better, it’s more compact, and has a more tactile feel overall.
So what did it offer me that made me drop my hard earned dollars for? Well, I’m doing more video now. The built-in microphone and fully articulating screen are essential. I was very disappointed that the latest EM10-III did not have a mic jack or fully articulating screen. The only other Olympus camera that offers these things is the EM5-II. I went back and forth between those two cameras and decided the full grip, larger battery, and supposedly better video focusing of the EM1-II made it the superior choice.
Obviously, it costs double and should offer considerably more. I believe it delivers. However, it’s much more camera than I really need. I have to accept that. What I don’t understand is why Panasonic includes mic jacks in their entry-level G85 and G7 and Olympus does not in the E-M10, especially now that it has 4k.
Why didn’t I just get a G85? Primarily because it was not on the shelf at any local store. Plus I was mildly concerned that the color profiles between Olympus and Panasonic will be difficult to match in post. I could go on and on about the differences and how the E-M1 is better, but I think most of you already know what they are. Suffice to say I don’t have any regrets, but I’m a little frustrated at Olympus for sticking to the “stills” ideology and not giving us more affordable video creator friendly cameras.
Anyway, sporting my new camera, I took a trip out to Pennsylvania this week to visit a couple of the hot spots. Longwood Gardens was my first stop and then Winterthur. I primarily shot with my vintage Nikon glass mounted on a tilt adapter. I also brought my Panasonic 7-14mm and Olympus 12-40mm pro.
I’ll do a review/comparison of this camera and some tutorials on Youtube in the near future. In the meantime, here are a few samples.
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Hi Rob,
I enjoyed your article on your recent purchase of the Olympus EM-1 Mark II as well as your videos. Your rationalization for purchasing new equipment somehow struck a chord as it reminded me a bit of how my equipment purchasing usually goes.
I also realized that your visit to Longwood Gardens suggested you are likely not too far away from where I live. I am writing because my history with Olympus cameras goes back to purchasing my first Olympus camera in 1971, an Olympus 35 DC which I still have while in Japan attending the 13th Boy Scout World Jamboree and have been an Olympus enthusiast ever since.
Rather than ramble on here I thought perhaps I could introduce myself via a separate email exchange with the idea that perhaps we could collaborate on some projects as well as share ideas in general about Photography. It hasn’t been easy at times finding someone who is committed to the Olympus cameras line so I thought I would reach out.
Sincerely, Ken
Hi Ken,
Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. I live in Maryland, about 2.5 hours south of Longwood Gardens in Temple Hills. Next time I go up to Longwood, I would love to get together. Probably in the spring. I loved photography back in college, and purchased an Olympus OM-2 film. Then I had a dry spell until the late 90’s when I got into the compact digital cameras. I would use the cameras mainly for casual use. It wasn’t until about 5 years ago I started to make it a serious hobby, which in turn led to some limited paid work. As for Olympus, I’ve only recently started using their digital cameras. I bought the OM-D E-M10 Mark II in August 2016. I had my eye on the Pen-F, but wasn’t familiar with micro 4/3. But after using the E-M10, I didn’t hesitate to get the Pen-F in Sep 2016. Recently picked up the E-M1 Mark II and look forward to what they will do next!
Anyway, if you are in the area, send me an email. We can exchange phone numbers at that time.
Thanks.
-Rob
Hi Rob –
I want to thank you for your great posts and videos on the Pen-F. I purchased one about 6 months ago, and have been afraid to use it much – it’s so much more advanced than the Olympus E-series I am transitioning from! After watching your videos and trying some things, this little camera is blowing me away, though, and I am almost to the point of ditching the my old E-series (though they are ok for landscape and general use).
I bought the Pen-F because it (along with that great Olympus 60 mm f/2.8 macro lens) was highly rated for macro photography, which is really what I love. I wondered what your thoughts are in using the Pen-F with large telephoto lenses. I read some reviews that the Pen-F is not really suited for tele shots, and the size of the lens may be an issue. I have an Olympus 12-14 mm f/2.8 for the Pen-F, and it seems a bit large for such a small camera. I have resisted the OM-D’s so far; not sure if I should complement the Pen-F with one (at least they would share the same lenses) – I don’t want anything that’s so complicated I don’t want to use it!
Thanks for your thoughts!
Diana
I picked up the Oly 75-300mm and use it time to time. It works well with the pen and I don’t feel it is too large for what it can do. You just have to keep the shutter speed up. As for the OM-D, no need to get it. The grip on the em-1 helps, but the 75-300 is not that heavy and doesn’t feel awkward to me on the pen. I did buy a grip for the pen-f, which helps. Unless I need to shoot video, the pen is still my goto camera for stills. Thanks for watching my channel. I have so many video ideas, but having trouble making time for them. It takes me a full day to make a single video!
Hi Rob. I have recently bought the OMD E5 II and really enjoying it. Your tutorials have really helped me a lot so thanks for that. I could not find any means of contacting you on from the tutorials so hope this will find you. I have also been using Olympus since around 1971 and have had the whole range from the Trip35.
I am curious about the Scene Modes. How do these compare with setting up manually and storing in Myset? I am referring to night photography specifically. Have you done a tutorial on this topic?
Keep up your good work, it has helped me find my through the maze of technology required to master this camera.
Regards
Ronnie
Hello Rob
Until recently I have been using a Canon DSLR. However I took the decision to move to a more compact system and spent considerable time deciding between a Pen F or Fuji XF100. The retro design of the Pen F and the option to use a small number of prime lenses was the decider. Forty years ago I used an Olympus OM10 and always enjoyed the compact handling. I have ended up with a really compact system – two lenses (17mm and 45mm) protected by B+W uv filters and the grip.
Thanks for your tutorials – lively, interesting and informative.
Thanks for the feedback. Nice setup. Might want to get 2 more, the 75mm and 12mm. Kinda pricey, but great lenses!