panos.v wrote:
You're making me "research" that penf...on ebay...
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beardedspoooon wrote:
I bought one because of his posts.
I have a nearly complete set of Pen F lenses from the 20/3.5 to the 150/4 including the 42/1.2 and 60/1.5. I used them on Sony APS-C bodies but have never had a Pen F body. Seeing the images you guys are making has reawakened my on-again-off-again interest in getting one. However when I checked both an FT and an FV at a dealer’s a couple of weeks ago I was put off by the dim viewfinder in both models.
However, Stephen Gandy writes on his Pen F/FT/FV page:
“Olympus designers brilliantly used a mirror system rather than the pentaprism. to keep the size small. The down side of this is that the mirror systems are very susceptible to haze and dirt. No Pen F/FT/FV finder is bright, but they are made worse by this. If you have your camera serviced, be sure to have its finder cleaned...
If I did get one, I’d probably go for the FV. Gandy again:
“The FV was a meterless version of the FT, and harder to find than the other two models. It does have a slightly brighter finder than the FT because light is not split off for the meter.”
I’d appreciate any feedback on your experiences in this regard.
I have a nearly complete set of Pen F lenses from the 20/3.5 to the 150/4 including the 42/1.2 and 60/1.5. I used them on Sony APS-C bodies but have never had a Pen F body. Seeing the images you guys are making has reawakened my on-again-off-again interest in getting one. However when I checked both an FT and an FV at a dealer’s a couple of weeks ago I was put off by the dim viewfinder in both models.
However, Stephen Gandy writes on his Pen F/FT/FV page:
“Olympus designers brilliantly used a mirror system rather than the pentaprism. to keep the size small. The down side of this is that the mirror systems are very susceptible to haze and dirt. No Pen F/FT/FV finder is bright, but they are made worse by this. If you have your camera serviced, be sure to have its finder cleaned...
If I did get one, I’d probably go for the FV. Gandy again:
“The FV was a meterless version of the FT, and harder to find than the other two models. It does have a slightly brighter finder than the FT because light is not split off for the meter.”
I’d appreciate any feedback on your experiences in this regard. ...Show more →
I lucked out, I guess, with my FT, as the viewfinder is clear, non hazy, and bright enough. By bright enough I mean it does not hinder at all any ability for me to focus quickly and accurately. The screen actually is very good, and the image pops into and out of focus.
I have heard, and seen online, that many finders can be dirty/hazy and dim. It seems that those need to be serviced.
When I got my FT (chosen only because of the condition - I too wanted an FV because of the supposedly brighter finder even though I had not actually seen any of these cameras in hand yet), I was going to use it w/o the meter because it uses the 1.35v cell. Then I found a Thai seller on ebay that made adapters WITH A DIODE to use regular 1.5v cells converting to 1.35v.
(I highlight the diode part as there are lots of adapters that just allow the use of a different battery without adjusting the voltage).
Anyway, $30 later I found that the meter is very accurate on my FT and frankly it has made it much more useful.
It's strange though. A month or so ago when I bought my FT they were easy to get at a 'reasonable' price. Between then and now prices seem to have spiked.
Desmolicious wrote:
I lucked out, I guess, with my FT, as the viewfinder is clear, non hazy, and bright enough. By bright enough I mean it does not hinder at all any ability for me to focus quickly and accurately. The screen actually is very good, and the image pops into and out of focus.
I have heard, and seen online, that many finders can be dirty/hazy and dim. It seems that those need to be serviced.
When I got my FT (chosen only because of the condition - I too wanted an FV because of the supposedly brighter finder even though I had not actually seen any of these cameras in hand yet), I was going to use it w/o the meter because it uses the 1.35v cell. Then I found a Thai seller on ebay that made adapters WITH A DIODE to use regular 1.5v cells converting to 1.35v.
(I highlight the diode part as there are lots of adapters that just allow the use of a different battery without adjusting the voltage).
Anyway, $30 later I found that the meter is very accurate on my FT and frankly it has made it much more useful.
It's strange though. A month or so ago when I bought my FT they were easy to get at a 'reasonable' price. Between then and now prices seem to have spiked. ...Show more →
Thanks for the prompt reply! Good to know that the viewfinder allows you to focus quickly and accurately. I'm familiar with the battery adapter you mention because I already have one for my Leicameter MR. Another advantage with going for the FT is that the FV, being much rarer, is more expensive.
helimat wrote:
Alright dammit now I have to find one
If we both get one then, you, Desmolicious, and I will have to post some Pen F/FT/FV Nissan Figaro pix.
