Olympus PEN-EE..

[LENS]

Hi guys,

I have just got a olympus PEN EE, and would like to ask help from user of this old camera..

i try to adjust the aperture, it the opening size of the aperture does change, but opening is a weird square a-alike shape.. issit normal?usually the aperture opening is almost a round shape..right?

when i remove the back cover, so i can see how the shutter and aperture works from behind..

Let's say the shutter is blocked, so i press the shutter and it open up, but somehow it didn't blocked automatically.. the shutter will blocked again once i start to wind the film but turning the wheel button. So this is a shutter problem? for what i understand, the shutter should blocked after certain 'shutter speed' time..

I tried to search information about this camera, and come acrosss this paragraph..

Self-Cocking Shutter

When the film is completely wound for the next picture, two operations take place automatically. The film is moved to the next frame and the shutter is cocked, ready for release. You need only press the release button to make an exposure
The Film Winding Roller should be rolled all the way until it stops. If not, the shutter will not operate.
Do not wind the film immediately after you have taken a picture. Wait until you are ready for the next picture, and wind the film just before making the next exposure. This enables the the shutter springs to last and remain accurate indefinately.

I am quite confused whether my this camera shutter is having a problem..because if the shutter is stucked..when it returns back to 'blocking' position when i wind the film to next?

anyone OLYMPUS PEN users can share their opinions?

i am also quite confused of the operation of this camera, it is a fixed shutter speed..what is the function of those sensors on the lense?

thanks if you are able to share your opinions..

 

[LENS]

Hi guys, this camera PEN EE needs any battery?

I have tried more hands-on yesterday, it turns out that the shutter which not fall back to 'block' position is some kind of stuck, when i tried to shake the camera a bit, it will fall back. And sometimes the shutter works ok, sometimes get stuck..

on the ring, there are ASA setting..and aperture setting for flash.

when i tried out indoor last night, it seems the light is not enough, so i see a red shade in viewfinder when i press shutter, can i take it as proof the selenoid cells work?

when i change to flash aperture, then the red shade is gone and shutter is free to press anytime, i read that there are 2 shutter speed for this PEN EE.. the shutter speed under flash mode is fixed?

any users can share their knowledge?

 

[LENS]

hello guys,

for this camera, it seems no battery is required, right?

When i set the ASA, and should the aperture changes the size according to different light source? such as smaller opening for bright scene, and larger opening for low light scene?
I don't see any change in aperture when i set to ASA mode, is it a problem?

the aperture do change it size when i set to 'flash' mode..with different aperture reading.

when i set to ASA mode, and point at an object, sometimes the red flag will up in viewfinder, prevent the shutter to be pressed, but sometimes the shutter can be pressed without red flag even i remain pointing same object at same light condition.

Does it mean the meter is wrong?

thanks.

 

[LENS]

well any olympus EE user here? can the selenoid cell meter be repaired?

 

[ricohflex]

Instead of asking many questions, put in a roll of film and shoot.
Look at the photos from the lab.

 

[cherps]

Hihi, I feel kinda sorry for you.. posting so much and getting such little response! Anyway, I've got a similar camera, the Oly PEN EE-2 (something like that) I think the best advice is just that-- run some film through it. I did, and I quite liked the results.

One, the metering works! Few over/under shots. Two, the pictures are soft compared to modern digitals but they have a likable quality and look that old lens produce. Three, it's a pretty damn fast lens fitted onto a compact body, something that modern compacts cannot give..

You're correct about the red flag.. it will stop you from taking an underexposed shot based on the selenium meter reading. if you are really certain that for exactly same lighting conditions, sometimes it triggers, sometimes not, PERHAPS the meter is quirky. but it could also be on the threshold of underexpose to fine, so go play around..

On a side note, selenium meters DO NOT require batteries.. so you are correct, that's what I love about the PEN EEs. I tell my friends that this camera doesnt need batts and they are easily amazed. Bad point about that is that, selenium meters lose their accuracy over time and exposure to light. Technically, the more you exposure to light over long periods (e.g. kept in shelf without cap covering the meter), the less accurate your meter will be. Only way to try is SHOOT! It's only a couple of bucks.. no loss!

Good luck on the shutter.. it sounds quirky, but if the camera works, you have a gem that makes photography FUN. no technical analysis, no charts and complains, fun. go!

 

[timothychanzl]

I reccomend that you take it to The Camera Hospital @ Sunshine Plaza (opp Peace Centre, Selegie). Let Steven take a look and he can tell you whats working, whats not, and how much it will cost to refurbish and repair it. He does a rather decent job.

 

[cherps]

i second that. good luck have fuN!

 

[LENS]

Well, it is ok not much response ha, since i guess not much ppl is using this camera. I think try out a place for checking, but the owner seems doesn't interest of evaluating it.

I had read up about this camera, it seems pretty simple mechanical camera.

The only thing to prevent me from trying is.. i dont see the aperture changing when i switch to ASA mode.. since i read that this camera only has 1 or 2 shutter speed, then it should work as 'shutter priority' and the aperture should change if the selenium meter is alive..ha.

Well, i will try to disassemble it.. as i always want to learn to fix camera ha.

I think half frame camera is very interesting as you can actually tell more story in one photo, 'before & other'.. and more important, i just love those lovely design old camera.

 

[khairi]

hello Lens...

if i'm not mistaken, the oly pen-ee has only 1 shutter speed...or mayb 2...
the selenium sensor helps the cam to determine the correct aperture for the scene.
then...when you can select the aperture...if i'm not mistaken...that's for the
flash mode (cant remember) and shutter will be ard 1/30-1/60(?) something like that.

here are images using the cam with b/w film:

 

[khairi]

a few more:

 

[cherps]

it's so interesting that all your photos .. look like they jumped straight out from the seventies! i suppose some filters in ps will be achieve the same effect, but i like the look-- refreshing.

too bad there's no manual override. have u sourced for the other cameras in the pen series? the famous d, the wide 'w', the even more famous pen f?

 

[cherps]

a few more:

oh btw, :thumbsup: i like!

 

[LENS]

I read for Olympus EE, there are two version, one is with a fixed shutter speed, and one is with 2 shutter speed (ASA mode and Flash mode)

Actually if you switch to FLASH mode, you can manually decide the aperture, but guess only 1 shutter speed.

Hi Khairi,

Nice pic, the scratch and dirt are on the lense of your olympus? at least you got a working selenoid meter!!

 

[khairi]

agree agree...if i'm not mistaken...when you switch to the flash mode, you can choose the
aperture, but one shutter speed...and not sure is it the 1/200 or the 1/40...just not sure.

abt the scratches on the images above was due to my:
1. poor handling of my b/w films during developing and also due to the camera, which is already an old cam.

2. then asked a friend to scan the half-frames without any scratch or dust removal mode on.