Olympus PEN-F revived

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Olympus has just launched the digital reincarnation of their famous Pen-F half-frame camera of the film days long gone.

See http://www.olympus-global.com/en/news/2016a/nr160127penfe.jsp

I'm sure our members have interest in this new model and might have a look at it myself later.

Starting this thread now so we can have a common location for any view points or facts. Feel free to contribute.

[Akira]

Here is a link to more images for the camera porn.  Each images can be clicked to view larger:

http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20160127_740773.html

Ironically, the camera is the least Pen-F-like design.  I would bet the camera reminds people of a Barnack-type screw mount Leica rather than a Pen-F. 

[Bjørn Rørslett]

The engraved (or printed) text on the camera says "Pen F" so we must believe they meant it. One way or the other.

I wonder whether this camera can use the good old Pen F lenses. As I recall they were small, well made, and sharp.

[Akira]

The engraved (or printed) text on the camera says "Pen F" so we must believe they meant it. One way or the other.

I wonder whether this camera can use the good old Pen F lenses. As I recall they were small, well made, and sharp.

Well, to me, the Pen-F logo is severely challenged by the body on which it is engraved. 

As for the performance of Pen-F lens on m4/3 camera, we may want to expect Vivek to chime in...

[Erik Lund]

A wild guess would be that this does not take the old Oly lenses

Akira your right, at least the front looks like an old Barnack body style

[ArendV]

I wonder whether this camera can use the good old Pen F lenses. As I recall they were small, well made, and sharp.

For sure it can http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.de/2012/01/pure-retro-on-my-panasonic-and-olympus.html

Recommendations.  Of the lenses I've listed, most, beside the 38mm's, are going to be too expensive to be practical purchases.  Both Panasonic and Olympus have better performing (and easier to focus) wide angle and wide/normal lenses than the 20mm and 25mm.  The sweet spot for me would be the 40mm 1.4, the 60mm 1.5 and the 70mm f2.  All are wonderful lenses that are competitive with just about anything you'll find today ( provided that the glass is in good shape and not fogged in the least).

[Fons Baerken]

Challenging the Df? suggested retail €1200
May as well get a D5500

[Eddie Draaisma]

Looking at all the knobs and whistles it occurs to me that having the on/off switch around the release button (e.g. Nikon, Fuji, Leica) is a luxury 

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Funny to see a camera model that guarantees to deliver Art. It has an 'Art' setting on that front wheel

Just point the camera at a random subject and you can put the resulting image up for sales in a Gallery ....

[Akira]

A wild guess would be that this does not take the old Oly lenses

Akira your right, at least the front looks like an old Barnack body style

Erik, there are Pen-F to m4/3 mount adapters from some Chinese manufacturers.  There are also Pen-F to Sony Nex adapters, and, if I remember correctly, Vivek used to use Pen-F lenses on his NEX-7.

Funny to see a camera model that guarantees to deliver Art. It has an 'Art' setting on that front wheel

Just point the camera at a random subject and you can put the resulting image up for sales in a Gallery ....

Bjørn, why not nominating this exciting new Pen-F for the official camera for the "minimalist images" thread?   

[Erik Lund]

Ahhhh an adapter to the rescue, I see.