Have used Pen viewfinder cameras for more than 50 years, although now, rarely. On a whim, back about 1972, I bought a used Pen original from Altman’s Camera in Chicago. Back then 100 ft. of Tri-X bulk, a box of snap cap cartridges were about $10. I shot that little camera everywhere, sometimes going through 2 rolls in an afternoon, kicking around the city. The 4 speed Copal never let me down, and I got real good at scale focusing even close up. Had a shared darkroom in a friend’s basement. Didn’t worry too much about grain, we would make enlargements to 8x10 from the better negs. After a couple of years I bought a couple of used Pen F’s and a few Pen Zuikos, although for telephoto I preferred a Soligor 135mm f2.8 in a T mount. Good times and good memories.
First, let me thank you for sharing your personal experiences with your Olympus Pens. I can completely understand how they bring back great memories. I started with Olympus products until the mid-70s. I remember the days when you could buy a roll of Kodak B&W film at K-Mart for $1 a roll (which was all I could afford) or bulk film for about half that price. My first Olympuses were a black Pen FT (with 42mm f/1.2) and a chrome Pen F (with 38mm f/2.8). Between my job as a high school yearbook photographer, and taking fun pictures over the summer, I literally wore out my Pen F. Even then, repair parts for Pen F’s were getting scarce. I spent countless hours in the darkroom at school developing and printing pictures. Yes indeed, good memories.
Many of the later PEN models will need to be torn completely down in order to clean and lubricate the aperture. The entirety of the EES series come to mind. FWIW: 35mm cameras have a final result that's about equal to a 20 Megapixel digital camera. Move up to 120mm film. and the film wins with the equivalent to a 68 Megapixel camera, for a fraction of the cost, even when film and developing are accounted for.
You’re completely correct about these cameras needing CLA. But it’s also the 70s cameras (OM’s) as well. I tried my hand at cleaning & lubricating an OM winding mechanism (you can watch my video) and it’s not for the faint of heart. I would probably have to send all my cameras to have a far more skilled person do it. In terms of resolution, I don’t think it’s quite that straightforward. I have tried making enlargements up to 11 x 14 from half frame negatives. The results are disappointing unless you like a lot of grain. In terms of raw sharpness & acuity, my iPhone does better and it’s only 12MP.
Lovely video!! I’m late in the game, starting to use Film again after a 25 years gap. 6 months ago was the first time I heard about the original Olympus Pen. (I’ve known the Pen F and the EE series, but never heard of these original ones) I managed to get 2 Pen Ss here in Brazil, the 2.8 one and the rarer Pen S 3.5 one that for a short time brought back the lens from the original Pen. Both cameras are a JOY to use. So quiet! So unassuming! So elegant! The manual controls are very easy to get used to. But that’s a real special thing about them, the Manual’s focusing scale chart!! That chart is amazing! It so easy to get this camera in focus studying that chart! The lens is so small, that at certains apertures, anything from 1m on is in focus. Amazing. My dream now is the Pen W… but for the prices they are asking lately, I’d rather forget about this one. (In wish I could find a broken one to buy and fix…)
Thank you for taking the time to write kind words. Yes, the Pens are a joy to use! I’m surprised you were able to find two Pen S’s before a Pen W. I had my Pen W first, and at the time had never heard of the Pen S. Of course that was long before the Internet changed everything. At the risk of making Pens more scarce, I thought (and hoped) people might be interested in learning about these sweet, underrated little cameras. It’s also great to hear that you’re using these cameras rather than, as some would, keeping them locked away in a display case. Thank you again for sharing your experience with your Olympus Pens.
Underrated indeed! And as for the Pen W… after a famous Japanese photographer used one to make photographs in a war site, their prices went sky high and are impossible to buy now.
Brilliant video! I've got 2 Olympus Pen EE models in my collection, one is the EL Easy Load version. I enjoy using them and the whole half frame experience makes you think about composition a lot more.
The Pen EE’s are cool little cameras. “Technology Connections” (UA-cam channel) recently did a great video on how they work. Check it out. I have a newer version, the Pen EES2. They make taking pictures effortless. It’s very gratifying to hear that people are watching and enjoying my videos. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
@Mr.BrownsBasement Yes I saw part of that video, I just rewatched the last part I missed and left a comment. I love how simple the design is but equally how intricate the mechanical workings are. The shutter on my EL version is a little sticky, it looks like the mechanism could do with a clean. My older EE is over 60 years old and works flawlessly, I wonder how many modern-day electronic cameras will still be working in 60 years time?🤔😳
Excellent point. But since most modern photographic equipment depends on proprietary electronics which will be long out of production, I expect the vast majority will be virtually impossible maintain and use, essentially E-waste of the future. Your Pen EE’s are basically clockwork. With steady hands and fine tools they will be serviceable for a very long time into the future. One issue with the Pen EE’s is availability of Selenium photovoltaic cells - they slowly become inactive which makes the metering system inaccurate. I’m sure a workaround can be developed using Silicon cells instead.
@Mr.BrownsBasement That's it, most consumer electronics end up as e-waste quicker than we realise, I've lost count of the number of computer parts, motherboards, drives, RAM chips, PSU's, monitors etc that have failed after less than 5-10 years and the design is just not as durable as these old cameras that were built and engineered to last well beyond their expected life. As an example I picked up an old Sony ccd Video 8 AF v100e camcorder, it came in an aluminium case for £10 and to be honest I just wanted the case. The camera is a Pro level premium brand bit of kit from the late 1980s so just over 30 years old...You'd think there would be a good chance it would still work? Not a chance, it powers up, the CCD picks up some kind of image, there is clearly an issue, so I thought maybe I could use the tape transport section to at least play some of my old 8mm home video tapes, surely that part still works? It snaps tapes, eats them up and eventually the tape system just stopped working altogether, there is a funny 'electrical' smell when it's powered up... I'm quite good with electronics and understand how to swap out components and solder in new, surely it's repairable I assume. However it seems these multi level PCB's were designed so that they were never going to be serviceable, plus the components they used were cheap and fail at an alarming rate, all the electrolytic capacitors have failed and leaked all over the boards, it's scrap basically!
I have the progenitor of Olympus' first camera (they were just an optics company called Zuiko), which is also a 'half frame' camera, if you will. The Olympus 1 was a 120 folder with a 6 x 4.5 cm format (approx half of a 6x6). The camera was an exact duplicate of the Robra (Joseph Rodenstock) 645 folder that featured an uncoated f3.5 7.5 cm Trinar and an F. Decker shutter that went up to 1/300th second. The Olympus 1 had an f4.5 Zuiko and the shutter maxed out at 1/150th. I did a CLA on the Robra's shutter and am still testing it out doing street photography. It is amazing to be able to fit this palm-size 'medium format' 645 camera into your pocket. The Olympus 1's were hand built and limited production, so very rare. As for the early Pens, especially the non-slr you featured here, check out the new Pentax 17 camera . . . very close to a copy of the Pen S.
Your comment piqued my curiosity so I looked up your camera on John Foster’s website (www.biofos.com/coll/subcoll/folder.html). What an interesting, unusual and rare camera you have! It’s literally been decades since I’ve shot 120 film (I think it was a Graflex with a 120-back) and that setup was the antithesis of anything pocketable. I looked up the Pentax 17 you mentioned, and yes it looks like a small-run niche copy of the original Pen S. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what it was modeled after. I’m willing to bet that the Pentax will soon become rare but in 60 years or so no one will be making videos meant to recognize its significance. I would like to use my Pens again, but they are all in dire need of a CLA, particularly the Pen W that I bought in non-functional condition and haven’t yet had a chance to use.
Loved watching this! I even went down to the basement and got my mint-condition Pen S to admire while watching. Just a question though. Wouldn't the 3cm lens (half-frame), translate to an effective 6cm lens in full frame?
Thank you for your kind words. I’m so glad you got something out of my video! Great question. Surprisingly, the focal length of a “standard lens” is related to the length of the diagonal of the negative (or sensor). (See: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_lens#:~:text=For%20still%20photography%2C%20a%20lens,view%20is%20about%2053°)
That’s very interesting and it’s something I didn’t know. “Four Sprocket” seems to be such an odd way to describe a film format rather than the frame size, but the industry must have had their reasons.
Have used Pen viewfinder cameras for more than 50 years, although now, rarely.
On a whim, back about 1972, I bought a used Pen original from Altman’s Camera in Chicago. Back then 100 ft. of Tri-X bulk, a box of snap cap cartridges were about $10. I shot that little camera everywhere, sometimes going through 2 rolls in an afternoon, kicking around the city. The 4 speed Copal never let me down, and I got real good at scale focusing even close up. Had a shared darkroom in a friend’s basement. Didn’t worry too much about grain, we would make enlargements to 8x10 from the better negs.
After a couple of years I bought a couple of used Pen F’s and a few Pen Zuikos, although for telephoto I preferred a Soligor 135mm f2.8 in a T mount.
Good times and good memories.
First, let me thank you for sharing your personal experiences with your Olympus Pens. I can completely understand how they bring back great memories. I started with Olympus products until the mid-70s. I remember the days when you could buy a roll of Kodak B&W film at K-Mart for $1 a roll (which was all I could afford) or bulk film for about half that price. My first Olympuses were a black Pen FT (with 42mm f/1.2) and a chrome Pen F (with 38mm f/2.8). Between my job as a high school yearbook photographer, and taking fun pictures over the summer, I literally wore out my Pen F. Even then, repair parts for Pen F’s were getting scarce. I spent countless hours in the darkroom at school developing and printing pictures. Yes indeed, good memories.
Superb presentation ! Viva Toronto !
So glad you liked it. Viva Toronto!
Many of the later PEN models will need to be torn completely down in order to clean and lubricate the aperture. The entirety of the EES series come to mind.
FWIW: 35mm cameras have a final result that's about equal to a 20 Megapixel digital camera. Move up to 120mm film. and the film wins with the equivalent to a 68 Megapixel camera, for a fraction of the cost, even when film and developing are accounted for.
You’re completely correct about these cameras needing CLA. But it’s also the 70s cameras (OM’s) as well. I tried my hand at cleaning & lubricating an OM winding mechanism (you can watch my video) and it’s not for the faint of heart. I would probably have to send all my cameras to have a far more skilled person do it.
In terms of resolution, I don’t think it’s quite that straightforward. I have tried making enlargements up to 11 x 14 from half frame negatives. The results are disappointing unless you like a lot of grain. In terms of raw sharpness & acuity, my iPhone does better and it’s only 12MP.
There's no "120mm" film. It's 120 format.
Lovely video!!
I’m late in the game, starting to use Film again after a 25 years gap. 6 months ago was the first time I heard about the original Olympus Pen. (I’ve known the Pen F and the EE series, but never heard of these original ones)
I managed to get 2 Pen Ss here in Brazil, the 2.8 one and the rarer Pen S 3.5 one that for a short time brought back the lens from the original Pen.
Both cameras are a JOY to use. So quiet! So unassuming! So elegant! The manual controls are very easy to get used to. But that’s a real special thing about them, the Manual’s focusing scale chart!! That chart is amazing! It so easy to get this camera in focus studying that chart! The lens is so small, that at certains apertures, anything from 1m on is in focus. Amazing.
My dream now is the Pen W… but for the prices they are asking lately, I’d rather forget about this one. (In wish I could find a broken one to buy and fix…)
Thank you for taking the time to write kind words. Yes, the Pens are a joy to use! I’m surprised you were able to find two Pen S’s before a Pen W. I had my Pen W first, and at the time had never heard of the Pen S. Of course that was long before the Internet changed everything. At the risk of making Pens more scarce, I thought (and hoped) people might be interested in learning about these sweet, underrated little cameras. It’s also great to hear that you’re using these cameras rather than, as some would, keeping them locked away in a display case. Thank you again for sharing your experience with your Olympus Pens.
Underrated indeed! And as for the Pen W… after a famous Japanese photographer used one to make photographs in a war site, their prices went sky high and are impossible to buy now.
@@marlonsouza9224 I knew that about 21,000 were made but I didn't realize they were so difficult to obtain. Good to know!
Brilliant video!
I've got 2 Olympus Pen EE models in my collection, one is the EL Easy Load version.
I enjoy using them and the whole half frame experience makes you think about composition a lot more.
The Pen EE’s are cool little cameras. “Technology Connections” (UA-cam channel) recently did a great video on how they work. Check it out. I have a newer version, the Pen EES2. They make taking pictures effortless. It’s very gratifying to hear that people are watching and enjoying my videos. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
@Mr.BrownsBasement Yes I saw part of that video, I just rewatched the last part I missed and left a comment.
I love how simple the design is but equally how intricate the mechanical workings are.
The shutter on my EL version is a little sticky, it looks like the mechanism could do with a clean.
My older EE is over 60 years old and works flawlessly, I wonder how many modern-day electronic cameras will still be working in 60 years time?🤔😳
Excellent point. But since most modern photographic equipment depends on proprietary electronics which will be long out of production, I expect the vast majority will be virtually impossible maintain and use, essentially E-waste of the future. Your Pen EE’s are basically clockwork. With steady hands and fine tools they will be serviceable for a very long time into the future. One issue with the Pen EE’s is availability of Selenium photovoltaic cells - they slowly become inactive which makes the metering system inaccurate. I’m sure a workaround can be developed using Silicon cells instead.
@Mr.BrownsBasement That's it, most consumer electronics end up as e-waste quicker than we realise, I've lost count of the number of computer parts, motherboards, drives, RAM chips, PSU's, monitors etc that have failed after less than 5-10 years and the design is just not as durable as these old cameras that were built and engineered to last well beyond their expected life.
As an example I picked up an old Sony ccd Video 8 AF v100e camcorder, it came in an aluminium case for £10 and to be honest I just wanted the case.
The camera is a Pro level premium brand bit of kit from the late 1980s so just over 30 years old...You'd think there would be a good chance it would still work?
Not a chance, it powers up, the CCD picks up some kind of image, there is clearly an issue, so I thought maybe I could use the tape transport section to at least play some of my old 8mm home video tapes, surely that part still works?
It snaps tapes, eats them up and eventually the tape system just stopped working altogether, there is a funny 'electrical' smell when it's powered up...
I'm quite good with electronics and understand how to swap out components and solder in new, surely it's repairable I assume.
However it seems these multi level PCB's were designed so that they were never going to be serviceable, plus the components they used were cheap and fail at an alarming rate, all the electrolytic capacitors have failed and leaked all over the boards, it's scrap basically!
I have the progenitor of Olympus' first camera (they were just an optics company called Zuiko), which is also a 'half frame' camera, if you will. The Olympus 1 was a 120 folder with a 6 x 4.5 cm format (approx half of a 6x6).
The camera was an exact duplicate of the Robra (Joseph Rodenstock) 645 folder that featured an uncoated f3.5 7.5 cm Trinar and an F. Decker shutter that went up to 1/300th second. The Olympus 1 had an f4.5 Zuiko and the shutter maxed out at 1/150th.
I did a CLA on the Robra's shutter and am still testing it out doing street photography. It is amazing to be able to fit this palm-size 'medium format' 645 camera into your pocket.
The Olympus 1's were hand built and limited production, so very rare.
As for the early Pens, especially the non-slr you featured here, check out the new Pentax 17 camera . . . very close to a copy of the Pen S.
Your comment piqued my curiosity so I looked up your camera on John Foster’s website (www.biofos.com/coll/subcoll/folder.html). What an interesting, unusual and rare camera you have! It’s literally been decades since I’ve shot 120 film (I think it was a Graflex with a 120-back) and that setup was the antithesis of anything pocketable. I looked up the Pentax 17 you mentioned, and yes it looks like a small-run niche copy of the original Pen S. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what it was modeled after. I’m willing to bet that the Pentax will soon become rare but in 60 years or so no one will be making videos meant to recognize its significance. I would like to use my Pens again, but they are all in dire need of a CLA, particularly the Pen W that I bought in non-functional condition and haven’t yet had a chance to use.
Great video , thank u ❤
Thank you for the kind words of appreciation. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Very cool video, Mr. Brown's Basement. 😄
Thank you! I had only re-written the script 3 or 4 times…
Loved watching this! I even went down to the basement and got my mint-condition Pen S to admire while watching. Just a question though. Wouldn't the 3cm lens (half-frame), translate to an effective 6cm lens in full frame?
Thank you for your kind words. I’m so glad you got something out of my video! Great question. Surprisingly, the focal length of a “standard lens” is related to the length of the diagonal of the negative (or sensor). (See: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_lens#:~:text=For%20still%20photography%2C%20a%20lens,view%20is%20about%2053°)
Half frame,or 4 sprocket format, is the same format as 35mm motion picture's use.
That’s very interesting and it’s something I didn’t know. “Four Sprocket” seems to be such an odd way to describe a film format rather than the frame size, but the industry must have had their reasons.
Maybe wear some gloves or something?
Really? They’re not museum artifacts or objets d'art. They’re cameras meant to be used. I promise to keep my finger prints off the optics!