In 2016, we reviewed the Olympus Pen F. No, not the film one — the digital one that captured the hearts of many a photographer and made black and white images that were simply unforgettable. But as many of you are aware, Olympus isn’t a thing anymore in the camera world. Instead, they’re OM Digital, And underneath that is OM System. I know, it’s a bastardization akin to labeling consome as just soup. Of course, people of culture and who’ve experienced the kiss only a birria taco can deliver know better. But perhaps in 2016, we reached peak Olympus as the Pen F is a camera that still, today, demands a high price tag.
If you searched around on eBay, you’d find high prices for the camera. Those prices are reflected in listings on Amazon, which sell the camera used. In fact, the black version can go for over $2,000.
But why did this camera command such a demand? Well, if you look at the story of the Fujifilm X100vi and how it goes for more on the second-hand market, there’s a bit of a clue. In fact, there are several cues.
The Market Wants More Rangefinder-Style Cameras
For several years, all I’ve asked for from various manufacturers are rangefinder-style cameras. But all they do are SLR-style offerings that feel the same and are quite boring. They cite market research and sales data — which I truly wonder how factual any of it is. Rangefinder-style cameras have a unique place in the photography world for so many of us. Several of us who are right-eye shooters prefer them over smashing our noses into an LCD screen or not being able to press our eyes deeply into the viewfinder. They’re also often much smaller because there isn’t a big honkin’ grip. I mean, no one complains about a Leica M camera once they get them in their hands.
![](https://i2.wp.com/www.thephoblographer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Chris-Gampat-The-Phoblographer-Olympus-Pen-F-product-images-1-of-1ISO-4001-40-sec-770x513.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/www.thephoblographer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Chris-Gampat-The-Phoblographer-Olympus-Pen-F-product-images-2-of-9ISO-4001-40-sec-770x513.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i1.wp.com/www.thephoblographer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Chris-Gampat-The-Phoblographer-Olympus-Pen-F-product-images-3-of-9ISO-3201-40-sec-770x513.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i1.wp.com/www.thephoblographer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Chris-Gampat-The-Phoblographer-Olympus-Pen-F-product-images-4-of-9ISO-3201-50-sec-770x513.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/www.thephoblographer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Chris-Gampat-The-Phoblographer-Olympus-Pen-F-product-images-6-of-9ISO-3201-125-sec-770x513.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/www.thephoblographer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Chris-Gampat-The-Phoblographer-Olympus-Pen-F-product-images-7-of-9ISO-3201-125-sec-770x513.jpg?ssl=1)
![compact cameras Olympus Pen F](https://i2.wp.com/www.thephoblographer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Chris-Gampat-The-Phoblographer-Olympus-Pen-F-product-images-8-of-9ISO-4001-160-sec-770x513.jpg?ssl=1)
Most importantly, though, camera manufacturers are going after content creators and trying to shove all the features they can into a single camera body instead of letting them specialize. I mean, no one asked YouTubers to overheat a Canon EOS R5 or a Leica SL3 when shooting video because the cameras weren’t designed for that. That’s like my asking Alexa why their cameras are so awful when shooting still photos.
Maybe I should transition this website into a place where I rent REDs, Black Magic Cinema cameras, and ARRI cameras only to see what kind of stills they can make. Then I’ll ask where the auto-mode is on the camera too.
Regardless, the Olympus Pen F was a stunning rangefinder style camera that took the genre seriously. And brands should embrace this again. Sadly, Olympus considered this camera a commercial failure. But if they had just given it features like weather resistance and made it in-line with other market offerings, it would’ve sold very well.
Photographers Want Cameras That are Easy on the Eyes
If the X100VI is teaching the camera industry anything, it’s that pretty cameras are important. We all want different colors, and the Olympus Pen F came in black and silver. If it had come in denim blue or white and brown, I also would’ve been in love. The Nikon Zf is a stunning camera that adapts this idea. I wanted to purchase one, but all the colorways are back-ordered.
For the most part, cameras are very capable these days. But we’re in this idea right now that a camera can either be appealing or functional. Why can’t it be both? I mean, the Nikon F2 was both — and it survived wars.
The Camera as a Luxury Product
It’s a known fact that people walk around China with a Leica M hanging around their neck and with no film loaded inside. It’s just for show. I’m sure that the Olympus Pen F wouldn’t be just for show and that photographers would absolutely use it.
In the same way that the watch market evolved to become something of a luxury and hype market, the camera market could do the same thing.