First, it's almost as big and heavy as a lot of full-frame 35 millimeter SLR cameras. The Olympus OM1 and Pentax MX immediately jump to mind. And I didn't see the point of lugging around a camera almost that big with less features and the smaller image size. Kind of like I don't see the point of adding the vertical grip to a Nikon F4 and lugging that around when you could just as easily carry a small medium format camera. But I digress.
When you pick up the camera it feels heavy solid like it was hewn from a single piece of metal. the operation while a little unique is quite easy to get a hold of. Like any SLR the focus and aperture are adjusted on the lens but unlike most SLRs the shutter speeds are adjusted by a dial on the front. Speeds from B - 500 are available ( 1000 would be clutch!) This super easy to use in practice but I really wish the camera had a Judas window so you can see what your settings without pulling your eye from the viewfinder.
A big bonus of the Olympus Pen F is the incredible range of Olympus Pen lenses which are still sought after today to be used and adapted on the digital cameras for their excellent optics. For some people this might be all the reason you need to get into this camera or one of it's siblings. I used the 38/1.8 which is fairly zoomed (about 53mm equivalent) when compared to most half frame cameras which use 24-28 mm lenses. I found the lens to be a joy to use except for that I mostly shoot Pentax SLRs, so the focal ring direction is opposite. However after 5 minutes you quickly adapt. I also wish that this camera had a microprism or fresnel to enhance focusing because contrast in the center ring is not that good.
I shot these with fuji C200 using a modified Sunny 16 style of shooting, leaning towards overexposure but a lot of the images look a little underexposed to me but that could also be the cooler tonality of the c200 film. I really like the ability to focus on closer objects and have a blurry background ( see the flower shot) The longer focal length lends itself to a much different image that I am used to with halfframe and found myself experimenting with alternate subject matter.
Would I recommend one? Yes, it's one of the best cameras ( not just half frame) I have ever used. People who are use to all mechanical rangefinder cameras ( Leica M3, Canon 7, Nikon SP, etc) would love this thing.
Will I ever use it again? I think this is the ideal camera for any portrait work do you want to do in halfframe or anything that requires exact focus on a subject less than 3 m from the camera. That being said, I don't shoot a lot of stuff like that. Also it's lack of pocket ability makes it less than ideal for my general style of shooting. So I am not sure what role this camera may have in my life, but I could see it coming out at family events in daylight or for specific projects.
What did I learn? My sunny 16 skills need some work or the camera needs a CLA. Epic optics and control still can't compete with pocket ability for my personal tastes.
Would YOU like to try one out ? I am trying something new at Half Frame Club...Camera rentals! I have acquired a small fleet of interesting half frame cameras and they will be available to rent in 2019.