Olympus Pen 35mm Half Frame Film Camera

Description

The Olympus Pen 35mm is a series of 35mm half-frame film cameras that was first introduced by Olympus in 1959. Designed by the legendary camera engineer Yoshihisa Maitani, the Pen series gained popularity for its compact size, ease of use, and unique half-frame format, which allowed users to take twice the number of photos on a standard roll of 35mm film.

### Key Features of the Olympus Pen Series:

1. **Half-Frame Format:** The most defining feature of the Olympus Pen is its half-frame format. Instead of the typical 24x36mm frame size of full-frame 35mm cameras, the Pen uses a 24x18mm frame size, which effectively doubles the number of exposures per roll of film. For example, a 36-exposure roll would provide 72 shots on a Pen camera. This was ideal for users who wanted to maximize their film usage.

2. **Compact Design:** The Pen series cameras were designed to be ultra-compact, making them one of the earliest “compact” cameras on the market. The name “Pen” reflects the concept that the camera should be as easy to carry as a pen.

3. **Lens Options:**
– Many models, such as the **Pen EE**, featured fixed lenses, typically around 28mm to 30mm focal length with apertures like f/3.5 or f/2.8, providing a versatile wide-angle view.
– Models like the **Pen F** (SLR version) and **Pen D** featured interchangeable lenses or brighter, faster lenses, appealing to more advanced photographers.

4. **Exposure and Metering:**
– The **Pen EE** series models included a selenium light meter, which provided automatic exposure control, making it very easy to use for casual photographers.
– Later models like the **Pen FT** and **Pen FV** offered manual exposure control, a built-in light meter, and a greater range of settings for more experienced users.

5. **Shutter:**
– Many Pen models came with a leaf shutter mechanism, which allowed for a range of shutter speeds (usually from 1/8 to 1/250 second or faster in some models).
– The leaf shutter design is quiet and allows for flash sync at all speeds.

6. **Viewfinder:**
– Most of the Pen cameras feature a simple optical viewfinder for framing shots, while models like the **Pen F** are equipped with a more sophisticated SLR (single-lens reflex) viewfinder with a unique rotary shutter mechanism.

7. **Build Quality:**
– The Pen series is known for its solid construction, often featuring a mix of metal and durable plastic parts, giving them a high-quality feel.

8. **Design Variations:**
– There were numerous models in the Pen series, such as the **Pen S**, **Pen D**, **Pen EED**, **Pen FT**, and more. Each variant offered different features, from simple point-and-shoot capabilities to more advanced SLR designs with interchangeable lenses.

### Notable Models in the Olympus Pen Series:

– **Olympus Pen EE**: The most basic and widely used model, known for its point-and-shoot simplicity with automatic exposure.
– **Olympus Pen D**: A more advanced model with a faster f/1.9 lens, suitable for low-light photography.
– **Olympus Pen F**: A unique half-frame SLR with interchangeable lenses, introduced in 1963. The Pen F series is highly regarded for its build quality and compact SLR design.
– **Olympus Pen FT**: An updated SLR model with a built-in light meter, offering more precise exposure control.

### Why Choose the Olympus Pen Series?

The **Olympus Pen** cameras became popular due to their compact size, affordability, and versatility. They are still admired by film photography enthusiasts today for their distinctive half-frame format, which provides a unique vertical composition and doubles the number of exposures per roll of film. The Pen series offers a combination of classic design, solid build, and practical features that make them appealing to both casual photographers and serious enthusiasts.

If you have a specific model in mind or need more details on any particular feature, feel free to ask!

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