Author Topic: Pen F 38mm is astounding! (Read 2627 times)

mikmas101 · « **on:** November 06, 2010, 06:48:47 PM »

Took my new baby (E-P2) and pen F 38mm f1.8 out for a walk today - first in town and then out to a country park.

This lens is absolutely the bee's nuts and is the best thing I've slapped in front of a camera in donkey's. Rich colours and the sharpness is often cutting...best of all it's a breeze to use - lightweight and unobtrusive and fits inside the eepee leather case when shut.

Until such time as my secret uncle dies and bequeathes me his collection of Leica glass we are going to be inseparable.....(unless I find a $1000 for a Pen F 42mm f1.2)

voyager · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2010, 06:49:54 PM »

How much did it cost?

mikmas101 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 06, 2010, 06:57:29 PM »

By the time I've sold the rest of the stuff that came with the deal - about $75

lisandra · « **Reply #3 on:** November 06, 2010, 10:05:35 PM »

the photos you posted are quite sharp. I'm thinking about the 50mm f2 macro for the sharpness.

corgifan · « **Reply #4 on:** November 07, 2010, 12:31:16 AM »

Quote from: mikmas101 on November 06, 2010, 06:48:47 PM

Took my new baby (E-P2) and pen F 38mm f1.8 out for a walk today - first in town and then out to a country park.

This lens is absolutely the bee's nuts and is the best thing I've slapped in front of a camera in donkey's. Rich colours and the sharpness is often cutting...best of all it's a breeze to use - lightweight and unobtrusive and fits inside the eepee leather case when shut.

Until such time as my secret uncle dies and bequeathes me his collection of Leica glass we are going to be inseparable.....(unless I find a $1000 for a Pen F 42mm f1.2)

Love the crisp photos. Sharpness is good. A nice lens can be an inspiring thing.

Doug

rogerml · « **Reply #5 on:** November 07, 2010, 12:45:18 AM »

Looking at two PEN F 42/f1.2 at Ebay. One is $250, the other $950, and to me the one auctioned now for $250 looks better (cosmetically, at least?) than the one for $950. Would like to hear mikmas101 and/or other with savvy on the subject express their views on this.

mikmas101 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 07, 2010, 03:46:29 AM »

Quote from: rogerml on November 07, 2010, 12:45:18 AM

One is $250, the other $950,

The $950 is the usual BIN hype. I am tracking the $250 auction but that is the start price - it will go for more, the last one went for $512 and attracted 50 bids. A better price but still too much for my budget. I have no experience of the 42/1.2 but on sites where Pen F lenses are discussed it has an almost legendary reputation as the sharpest in the pack. Judging by the two pens I have (38 and 20) it must be awesome.

This site is the best I've found for an overview of the Pen range:
http://www.f22.org.uk/Galleries/Pen_Collection/slr_pen.html

rogerml · « **Reply #7 on:** November 07, 2010, 12:43:05 PM »

Thanks a lot for the info, mikmas101. I've just ordered some equipment from B&H in N.Y., and as soon as I've learned how this will come out with the custom folks here about, I will give Ebay a try. Never did before. Back home where I come from the Government are charging an additional 25% VAT on top of the invoice value when importing anything valued more thanGBP 20 (US$ 30). Here (Thailand) I'm told tax will be 7.5%, but I do not believe anything until I see for myself. (Rules are never followed Â´exactly and presiseÂ´ here, - it's more often Â´it dependsÂ´). So I'm in for a learning experince now.

mikmas101 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 07, 2010, 04:41:27 PM »

25% is crushing!

UK import VAT is set at 17% (soon to be 20%) but the favourable price differential between US and UK (even without tax) still makes it worthwhile to buy there provided mail costs are reasonable.

As far as ebay and PF lenses go there is far more on offer on the US site than in Europe but unfortunately a lot pegged to 'Buy It Now' prices that are simply inflated way beyond what they normally fetch in open auction

edgar2016 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 20, 2010, 01:33:00 PM »

I just picked up this lens also. I concur that this is a great lens.

I like that it's small and the styling fits so well with the E-P1 / E-P2. I also like the that it has a focusing ring rather a focusing tab like the Cosina Voightlander 35mm I have.

Pen F 38mm is astounding!