Olympus Pen-F camera - Half-frame SLR

[raytoei]

here is a test shot from the Olympus Pen-F camera

it is half-frame, ie 2 images within 1 frame of 35mm.

this means that it gives 72 exposure in a roll of 36 exposure
and 48 for a normal roll of 24 exposure.

In the 60's and early 70's when film was considered expensive
this camera was very popular as it is very small and the
images aren't too grainy when enlarged.

this camera promptly broke down after this roll and i have sent it in for repair LOL

this is a SLR without the bulging pentaprism, the viewfinder is vertical instead of the
traditional horizontal vf.

it makes very interesting images, a sort of before and after, or even triptych.

 

[heshanj]

nice, ive seen much of this camera.. would be interested in buying one myself. any major differences between the variants? i.e. pen D, pen F etc? they seem a bit pricey on ebay at the moment, $300+

 

[Shadowleong]

Been looking for one too, any recommendations for lenses? There is one particularly rare one right? I think its the 35mm cause it allows it to be the most compact

 

[weihsuan]

Hello,

I own a Pen FT, Pen D and Pen EED.

Pen F, FT and FV are half frame SLR cameras with interchangable lenses. Lenses produce gd images but are not cheap relative to other manual focus lenses (less M mounts). the FT has a built in meter, the F will take an external clip on meter - clips onto the shutter speed dial.

Pen Ds (D, D2, D3) - scale focus, manual with meter, half frame, compact, fixed lens. D uses a selenium meter, D2 and D3 the modern CDS meter.

Pen Es (EE, EE2,3,... EED) - scale focus, auto exposure, half frame, compact, fixed lens. Earlier EE2,3,.. uses selenium meter and latest EED uses CDS meter.

Personally I find the SLR bodies a joy to use esp on closeups (attach a 43mm close up filter to focus down to 10cm or less) and on diptych, triptych images as they allow for more accurate framing. However, my FT viewfinder is not 100%, so sometimes unwanted objects get into your picture. The EED is also a joy to use as its quick and fast.

Also there's a Pen Wide. which is rare and costly.

I think the one Shadowleong mentioned is the 38/2.8 pancake for pen F.

 

[raytoei]

I will probably put up one of the Pens for sale, either the Pen F or the Pen FT, no lens though as I only have a 38/1.8.

for the definitive doc on Pen F, I found this public domain pdf

The Olympus Pen Single Lens Reflex Cameras, Peter Dechert Photo Articles and Books Canon equipment, Rangefinders, Olympus Pen cameras and more

raytoei

 

[heshanj]

thanks weihsuan for the info. i'd be interested in the F/FT/FV then.. and yes, pretty pricey.. probably not gonna be buying just now.. still looking for that rangefinder, and playign around with my first nikon film slr.. so need to cut down on the new equipment and actualy use this stuff first.. but some time down the line, a Pen is definitely on my list

 

[raytoei]

Here's my Pen FT, just CLA from P&G.

(my original Pen-F is now sitting pretty at Camera Hospital as one of the Exhibits

Inverted Negatives from the first roll...

 

[raytoei]

i am having a blast with the pen-f camera.

36 exposures become 72 half-frames.

here is 2 from from frame 8 and 8a:

Here is a 100% of a another image, scanned at 3200 dpi:

http://retro2.ms11.net/bsd-penf-100crop.jpg

cheers!

 

[nordleadx]

I own few of them , the f1.2 , f1.8 and f1.4 and a tele and wide lens. It a pity , not much supporters in Singapore abt Pen f system.

 

[ziengler]

im playing with the ricoh auto-half, nice cousin to pen ft but p&s mode

 

[raytoei]

ziengler,

ricoh auto half is a blast! can you post more of the camera itself plus your images ?

is the selenium still working ?

thanks

 

[ziengler]

yup, got it from in malaysia penang.. selenium still run well but the indicator are not that easy to see red and yellow for exposure.. hmm i try to find more foto quite a tough set to shoot with straight fix f8 aperture.. a lot shot are mess up for indoor

 

[raytoei]

nordleadx,

excellent set of lenses you have....

raytoei

 

[Shadowleong]

I'm actually very interested in the pen F but I have trouble finding the original one cause I liked the gothic F(Just me),
compared to the other Fs cause the self timer lever looks kinda ugly,

That being said Its very very difficult to find one in good condition too.

I was also looking for an auto half but even ebay seems bleak

 

[nordleadx]

I'm actually very interested in the pen F but I have trouble finding the original one cause I liked the gothic F(Just me),
compared to the other Fs cause the self timer lever looks kinda ugly,

That being said Its very very difficult to find one in good condition too.

I was also looking for an auto half but even ebay seems bleak

this ???



the lens is nice , quite sharp also

 

[ziengler]

I have one good condition auto-half for sale.
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/buy-...ympus-35rc-ricoh-auto-half-e.html#post7726653
Run through one roll have enough fun simple point and shoot so decide to let go

 

[raytoei]

some random shots.
these were taken from the Pen-FT with OM 28/f2.8 lens + adapter.

 

[raytoei]

Pen-FT with 38/f1.8 lens, Plus - X pushed to 200 iso.

 

[raytoei]

Pen-FT, film is Ilford XP-2.
Lens is 40/f1.4

 

[yegan]

hmmm nice shoot