"Sell me this PEN." - You've probably heard this before.
I'm no Wolf of Wall Street, but I'm here to sell you this camera.
Not for the company, not for my personal gain. But for your joy of photography. With a decent amount of style as well.
Not for the company, not for my personal gain. But for your joy of photography. With a decent amount of style as well.
OM System got my attention when they announced their new camera and promised us, photographers a classy edc camera, that's far more affordable than Fuji's recent toys.
I'm not here to wage war of the fanbases, but I guess I am too old to pay small fortune for a compact rangefinder that is less than full frame.
I am in love with rangefinder style cameras. It's just what speaks to me as a photographer. It suits me.
Yeah, it's not the gear that makes you good, but I don't really care - I just like nice cameras.
I am in love with rangefinder style cameras. It's just what speaks to me as a photographer. It suits me.
Yeah, it's not the gear that makes you good, but I don't really care - I just like nice cameras.
It's no secret, that I've left APS-C and focused mostly on Full Frame - so what am I doing with MFT - you may ask?
I really like my A7C, but even it's quite small, I really wanted a camera for everyday photography. Something small, lightweight and rangefinder like. And with an EVF.
I really like my A7C, but even it's quite small, I really wanted a camera for everyday photography. Something small, lightweight and rangefinder like. And with an EVF.
I've never really got into MFT before and was rather skeptical bout the system, but I guess you never know until you tried, eh?
I spent last month with the new OM PEN and while most of you probably already seen the first reviews and specs, I come to you, as usual with more of an experience video.
So let me tell you why I decided to join the MFT cult.
I spent last month with the new OM PEN and while most of you probably already seen the first reviews and specs, I come to you, as usual with more of an experience video.
So let me tell you why I decided to join the MFT cult.
The OM PEN is a beautiful camera. No doubt about it. The silver version I got is a pure joy to look at, and to hold.
The tacticle dials, lightweight body and pretty decent grip without the need of additional brackets or thumb grips make this camera very handy for everyday use.
The tacticle dials, lightweight body and pretty decent grip without the need of additional brackets or thumb grips make this camera very handy for everyday use.
My intention was to have a camera that would accompany me everywhere and make me snap whatever I see interesting.
A camera to document my life and things around.
A journal camera.
A camera to document my life and things around.
A journal camera.
And you know what? I got far more than that.
It's crazy that for a thousand bucks you get a rangefinder with decent evf, great ibis, computational photography and a partial weather sealing.
Plus the new splash proof lenses to compliment the setup.
It's crazy that for a thousand bucks you get a rangefinder with decent evf, great ibis, computational photography and a partial weather sealing.
Plus the new splash proof lenses to compliment the setup.
As a 35mm guy, I've picked PEN with 17mm 1.8 mark II lens.
This setup gave me something no other camera did in years.
Pure joy of photography without the excessive expectations.
This small sensor body is not about the best possible image quality or superb detail. It's about the core passion of capturing moments in time.
This setup gave me something no other camera did in years.
Pure joy of photography without the excessive expectations.
This small sensor body is not about the best possible image quality or superb detail. It's about the core passion of capturing moments in time.
The 4:3 ratio is not my thing, so I use the 3:2, which still gives me over 18Mp images, which is more than enough since I did exhibit in a gallery using 12 MP files ages ago and noone complained. And if you shoot RAW then you still have the full 4:3 readout available with just the cropped jpgs.
I am so surprised by the OM recipe system. What blew me away is that the recipe is actually a JPG file with all the information. You simply copy it to your camera and there's no need to tweak everything. Brilliant!
I was never a fan of Fuji's recipes because I prefer editing the "clean files", but OM's approach is just so innovative that I just have to mention it.
My favourite profiles from PEN are the BNW, however. They made me discover the joy of night street photography(which I didn't really like before).
I was never a fan of Fuji's recipes because I prefer editing the "clean files", but OM's approach is just so innovative that I just have to mention it.
My favourite profiles from PEN are the BNW, however. They made me discover the joy of night street photography(which I didn't really like before).
The computational photography is not really my thing, but the live-ND and hi-res shots can be pretty useful.
Shot with OM SYSTEM PEN + Zuiko 17 1.8 II / Computational photography Live ND 8
This camera is a joy to use and to discover everything it has to offer. Having it on the street makes me feel like shooting a film camera and many times people asked me if it's some kind of vintage film body.
It helps actually, because when people notice you taking photos, it often triggers curiosity rather than suspicion.
It helps actually, because when people notice you taking photos, it often triggers curiosity rather than suspicion.
What I don't like? The plasticky body feels OK, but sometimes I fear it's too fragile, however the plastic material is still better than on Nikon Zfc for example.
Also it features the rubber thumb grip on the back, so it helps you get a firm hold of the camera, instead of being a plastic texture like on the Zfc.
It's also not that small - compared to for example the A7C here.
Also it features the rubber thumb grip on the back, so it helps you get a firm hold of the camera, instead of being a plastic texture like on the Zfc.
It's also not that small - compared to for example the A7C here.
The 4k video looks very nice, so this camera can be a real hybrid edc, especially with this crazy good ibis. It could allow us to use the 10bit color, but I treat this camera strictly for everyday photography.
For such little, this camera just keeps on giving.
And this is I guess the power of MFT. Inconspicious, yet capable.
I never really underestimated smaller sensors, but I know people do.
And that's where they are mistaken. It's like with Ricoh - a pocket camera can't be good right?
But I already like PEN more than Ricoh. It just looks better, has better features and interchangable lenses.
What else do you need to enjoy your everyday photography?
For such little, this camera just keeps on giving.
And this is I guess the power of MFT. Inconspicious, yet capable.
I never really underestimated smaller sensors, but I know people do.
And that's where they are mistaken. It's like with Ricoh - a pocket camera can't be good right?
But I already like PEN more than Ricoh. It just looks better, has better features and interchangable lenses.
What else do you need to enjoy your everyday photography?
So why I think I should sell you this PEN?
Cause Having a PEN to write down your everyday journey is the best thing you can do if you love photography.
Cause Having a PEN to write down your everyday journey is the best thing you can do if you love photography.
And this PEN is the only one you'll need.
