Olympus Pen FT

[Sonnar2]

Hi there, a couple of weeks ago I announced to look out for the half frame Olympus SLR. This camera isn't "mint" like some pictures may show but it's not abused either. Even the filter has a little ding. Actually it wasn't even very expensive. Coming from the RF corner and beeing a fan of the small-sized pre-Spotmatic era Pentax SLRs, I was impressed how small the Pen F actually is. A bit smaller than a Leica III.

Next, I get favored with the upright 4/3 format almost immediately. I guess it's great for photographing people. Different to some oppinions here, I found it's not noisy. It's a quiet SLR, much more silent than a contemporary Spotmatic. I found out that it belongs to the later serials (~1970) so maybe her mileage isn't very high. The shutter mechanism seems to be precise on the mark. Mirror-black-out is also *very* quick.

Even the finder is quite bright, maybe because of my luck to find the camera with a 40/1.4 lens. I will see how it performs (some sources say the Ultron type 38/1.8 is sharper)

http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/PenFT_04_m.jpg

Best of all, I found an unpacked PX625 Mercury cell in my cabinet (I wasn't assure having one left) and the meter works. The meter hasn't any ON-OFF switch visible so I hope it will not suck the battery dry when stored in the case.

Beeing aware that this is more a low-light camera I loaded some Ilford 400 B&W film. Half the film is through but one needs a bit patience with this 36-frames films I prefer when used in half format mode...

http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/PenFT_02_m.jpg

I'm so much impressed by this little working tool that I just wrote a new article for it at my website at http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Olympus_PenF.html

There are some more pictures plus a bit of history. Sorry again that's not English but I found that it's time to pay Maitani-san some small honor in German language. He is stil almost unknown among German enthusiasts when compared to (German) camera designers like Berek, Kueppenbender, Waaske, or Killfit.

At least, now I'm sure that I favorize for myself the black FT version....:cool:

Have fun, Frank

[grainy_shadows]

beautiful looking camera!!

[vrgard]

Wow, that is simply gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing some your shots taken with it.

-Randy

[Sonnar2]

http://www.taunusreiter.de/pictures/PentFT_SW_01.jpg

http://www.taunusreiter.de/pictures/PentFT_SW_02.jpg

http://www.taunusreiter.de/pictures/PentFT_SW_08.jpg

http://www.taunusreiter.de/pictures/PentFT_SW_05.jpg

my first roll B&W (Ilforx XP2: a bit too grainy! My usual B&W is Delta 100/400)
The last one is as close as possible (1 ft/ 35cm !)
All with the 40/1.4. In the meantime I've got a 38/1.8, a 100/3.5 and a converter. A 50-90mm zoom is on the way.
A great camera, almost rangefinder-like...

have fun,

[shadowfox]

Nice pictures Frank,
But I don't remember this much grain on an XP2, that's almost like a Fortepan :)

Nice collection of Pen FT lens, I also have the 25/2.8, it's surreal to compose in portrait with the wideangle lens.

[Doug]

The black FT is very elegant! I have my father's chrome one, and use it occasionally. Grain in the XP2 film can be lessened by generous exposure; I usually set the meter ISO to 200 or 250 for this film (and all other C41 films too). This gives richer shadows and more tightly-packed dye clouds for a smoother look. Still I tend not to use XP2 in half-frame, instead celebrating this small format's ability to show traditional sharp-edged film grain. Ilford FP4 at 250 souped in Diafine gives that look.

If you can find the 20mm f3.5 Zuiko for the Pen, you might like it; very sharp, and about equivalent to 30mm in full-frame terms.

[Sonnar2]

I will look after it, but unfortunately the Pen 20/3.5 belongs to the species of lenses that cost more than it was new even with inflationary adjustment! (uncommon even with Leica glass)
I was amazed that some 60/1.5 were sold for 10x the amount I've paid for my 50-90-zoom!
But I'm afraid I'm alredy adicted to these highbred cameras, since I've bought a chrome FV just for the reason that the black FT wouldn't feel lonesome in my cabinet...

[Doug]

Yes, you only have to scan through the Pen F stuff at KevinCameras.com to see there's a collector element boosting prices. I bought my M42-to-Pen lens adapter from Kevin, but have been lucky in finding stuff like the 20mm at good prices elsewhere. I have not been so lucky finding an affordable 60 or 70mm though!

I had to laugh when you mentioned your lonely FT needing a FV to keep it company. I felt the same and did the same; unfortunately my FV turned out to need quite a bit of repair. It's fine now, and a favorite in use.

[ferider]

Very nice, Frank. You a very lucky to find a black FT with working meter.
And a lenscap is enough to avoid battery drain, usually. A case it better
of course.

The 60 is very expensive usually. Another great lens that
is not so expensive is the 70/2.

Just took a photo the other day of my FT. Here goes:

http://ferider.smugmug.com/photos/255528492_rHDaB-L-2.jpg

Cheers,

Roland.

[Sonnar2]

Just took a photo the other day of my FT. Here goes:


A 42mm is also rare. Do you use it fully open, Roland?

I'm passing the 70mm as well at prices of 300USD or more....

But a M42 converter would be nice.

[shadowfox]

Very nice, Frank. You a very lucky to find a black FT with working meter.
And a lenscap is enough to avoid battery drain, usually. A case it better
of course.

The 60 is very expensive usually. Another great lens that
is not so expensive is the 70/2.

Just took a photo the other day of my FT. Here goes:
Cheers,

Roland.

I almost forgot that you have one also, Roland :)
Would love to see a wide-open picture from the 1.2

[Doug]

I wonder if I can get this gallery photo from DSLRX to show up here... It's from the first roll I shot with the Pen FV, with the 40mm lens and Fuji Superia Xtra 400...

http://dslrexchange.com/photopostdslrx/data/500/050723-12big.jpg

[shadowfox]

Doug, that's an interesting self-portrait I've seen in a while :)

[raid]

I have a FT with two lenses (38mm and 50-90) plus a M42 adapter, allowing me to use my 85mm/1.8 SMC lens or the 50mm.14 SMC or even the 50mm/4 macro SMC on the FT. There is no need to buy overpriced PEN lenses.

[Sonnar2]

They are small, cute and the very best modern designs in their days (early sixties) - but some are horrible expensive...

Maybe they are overpriced indeed. I they were really 490,000 Pen F SLRs build, then there need to be a "gambling factor" on some prices, which will overcome in the next time (as with nearly all other camera systems in the last couple of years, which reduced to their true value according to present usability value and rareness - which means rareness in terms of hundreds or thousands, not tenthousands)

A M42 adapter is a great idea... use my 58/2 preset Takumar on my Pen FT would be pure joy (it is as small as a PEN lens), not to speak of the 100/1.8 Komura...

have fun

[giellaleafapmu]

I will look after it, but unfortunately the Pen 20/3.5 belongs to the species of lenses that cost more than it was new even with inflationary adjustment! (uncommon even with Leica glass)


Only Zuiko glasses do that! The 40mm for the OM is another example.

GLF

[shadowfox]

I have a FT with two lenses (38mm and 50-90) plus a M42 adapter, allowing me to use my 85mm/1.8 SMC lens or the 50mm.14 SMC or even the 50mm/4 macro SMC on the FT. There is no need to buy overpriced PEN lenses.

Raid, overpriced some of them may be, but each and everyone of my Pen-F Zuiko lenses are top-notch. To my eyes, they are the cream of the crop of even the overall great Zuiko family of lenses.

Besides, for me, I don't need anything outside a fast standard (40/1.4), a wideangle (25/2.8), and a telephoto (100/3.5). Those aren't terribly expensive. :)

[Doug]

Will, the 25mm f2.8 is not very common, and can be hard to find. The f4 lens is found much more readily, in my experience. My f2.8 came from eBay but the seller's pics showed it to be filthy dirty. I took a chance that it was just surface dirt and got it at a low bid. It came with its leather case, and all the "dirt" was just dried glue powder from the case, and it cleaned up beautifully. Seller suffered for not taking a few minutes to clean it before taking his advertising pics...

[raid]

Raid, overpriced some of them may be, but each and everyone of my Pen-F Zuiko lenses are top-notch. To my eyes, they are the cream of the crop of even the overall great Zuiko family of lenses.

Besides, for me, I don't need anything outside a fast standard (40/1.4), a wideangle (25/2.8), and a telephoto (100/3.5). Those aren't terribly expensive. :)


Will,

I am just being jealous! :D
Of course, if I could find a couple additional PEN lenses at a good price, I may buy them.

[shadowfox]

Doug: I got mine pretty cheap also, I guess when you're not obsessing for it, months went by and one will turn up eventually. Good for you on that lens.

Raid: You? jealous? I still can't forget the picture of your stable of Rollei SL35 and its lenses... oh... the envy... :p

[raid]

Raid: You? jealous? I still can't forget the picture of your stable of Rollei SL35 and its lenses... oh... the envy... :p

Will: It's never enough. is it! Actually, I am rarely using the Pen FT these days, but I can envision its usefulness for a trip as a light alternate camera outfit.

With the M42 adapter, my 85mm/1.8 SMC lens is about a 135mm/1.8 or so. I am just guessing here, and someone will correct me how to correctly translate the 85mm from 135 format to the half frame format. The 50/1.4 is a tele with 1.4 max aperture and using the sweet spot of the lens.

I lack a wide angle lens for the Pen.

[Doug]

I think wide angle lenses are the weakness of the Pen F system; there's not much selection, and they are slow. But then this is 1960's gear, and I think then we tended to look more favorably on longer-than-normal lenses. Whether the technology wasn't quite there for fast wides, or it was a lack of market, I don't know.

The various full-frame SLR lens adapters for the Pen F don't help much in the wide department either, as the angle of view "multiplier" is about 1.5, similar to your typical Nikon or Pentax dSLR, and so it suffers the same crop situation with wides.

The Zuiko 20mm f3.5 is a brilliant lens, seems to me, so that's all to the good! Sample below... (Kodak Portra 100UC)

http://dslrexchange.com/photopostdslrx/data/500/050910-34A.jpg

[ferider]

I almost forgot that you have one also, Roland :)
Would love to see a wide-open picture from the 1.2

Frank and Will: I searched a bit and don't have any !
I have shot quite a bit with the 42/1.2 but never wide open.
Back when I had Pen F gas all I was interested in was a bright viewfinder ...
Come Leicas, come bokeh .... I'll try on one of the next week-ends.

The 100mm in the pic above is one of the best lenses for the money:

http://ferider.smugmug.com/photos/11345116_CDsi9-L.jpg

(the guy was sprayed with water to cool down :) )

Cheers,

Roland.

[Doug]

Nice, Roland! You had both the lens and an interesting moment to use it.

[shadowfox]

Raid, I have the exact "problem" digitally with my E-300 which is a spirit-successor of the Pen-FT. The 2x crop factor is worse than the Pen-FT, leaving me with ample supply of super high-quality short-teles and virtually no wide angle lenses to speak of.

Doug and Roland, nice pictures from the lenses.

The 25/2.8 is currently my favorite, it compares nicely with my current focal length of choice: 35mm on full frame cameras.

Here's an example:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2164/2235381304_2303de2887.jpg

[giellaleafapmu]

Raid, I have the exact "problem" digitally with my E-300 which is a spirit-successor of the Pen-FT. The 2x crop factor is worse than the Pen-FT, leaving me with ample supply of super high-quality short-teles and virtually no wide angle lenses to speak of.


I have the E-330 and find the 11-22 F2.8/3.5 quite all-right. No, not the best combo I have/had but ok.

GLF

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, 38mm f/1,8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8357067287_56ba83498a_c.jpg

[mabelsound]

These are nice, Erik.

For anyone looking for the 25/2.8, the bartender is selling one in the classifieds for $300. Personally I am holding out for the 20.

Self-portrait with Pen FT, trying to look as dreadful as possible with my black eye:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2652/4107067254_b2d728a523.jpg

I keep debating whether I want to have mine de-metered and a better mirror installed...according to digitalintrigue, you can get an extra two stops of brightness this way. But it is nice to have the meter...

[Doug]

The 20 is extremely sharp, worth looking for! I'm intrigued by the possibility of a shiny new mirror by digitalintrigue. I had the impression changing the partially silvered mirror was a difficult job; hard to get to. How much are they charging for the change?

But another approach to the brighter finder is going with the Pen FV instead of the FT; already no meter and fully-silvered mirror...

Edit: By the way, that FT meter is awkward to use, IMO, and I'm happy to ignore it and use an incident meter in-hand instead... except where a TTL meter is really useful.

[ferider]

Or an F :)

[mabelsound]

Well, an FT is what I have, and I think it's great! An FV is a rarity and thus more expensive.

I don't think Robert offers mirror replacement on Pens as part of his business--I think he just modified his own FT for his own use.

[ibcz]

The 20 is extremely sharp, worth looking for! I'm intrigued by the possibility of a shiny new mirror by digitalintrigue. I had the impression changing the partially silvered mirror was a difficult job; hard to get to. How much are they charging for the change?
.

It is a rather simple process once you know how to get the top off. If you have a source of front faced mirrors (an old slr maybe?) you can cut one yourself and install it. I've done it before.
When replacing, also clean the whole upper finder assembly from dust and get the black detoriating foam from around the eyepiece replaced or cleaned :). Replacing the focussing screen is the almost impossible task!

Iwert

[Erik van Straten]

Thanks mabelsound!

Olympus Pen FT, 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8351/8349153151_e3284eea62_c.jpg

[mabelsound]

It is a rather simple process once you know how to get the top off. If you have a source of front faced mirrors (an old slr maybe?) you can cut one yourself and install it. I've done it before.
When replacing, also clean the whole upper finder assembly from dust and get the black detoriating foam from around the eyepiece replaced or cleaned :).

A tutorial for this process would be welcome, if only in order to clean out the gunk.

[ethics_gradient]

A tutorial for this process would be welcome, if only in order to clean out the gunk.

Seconded, I was casting about for one a few weeks ago and came up with nothing. I thought DigitalIntrigue was doing the FT mirror swap, but I sent him an e-mail a while ago through his new Wordpress site and didn't get a reply :-\

[urban_alchemist]

A sensational little camera: so good I bought two!

Enjoy it in good health... and if anyone's interested, here's a Flickr gallery of photos I took with mine...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7592660@N06/sets/72157610918668126/

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8211/8346662265_c6f96bf086_c.jpg

[mabelsound]

Erik, I love what you do with space in your photos. The subject is usually very small, but the space makes the picture great.

[Erik van Straten]

Thanks mabelsound. The Pen FT's precision finder is excellent for composing, as is the 3:4 format.

Erik.

[Erik van Straten]

Olumpus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8222/8288084045_13ec6ee91f_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8225/8353074947_95989386a9_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 70mm f/2, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8560/8751488850_65882fb8ec_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8514/8348948011_40a101555b_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8489/8279358836_fd903a0ebc_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8216/8274728577_46c12e3965_c.jpg

[Doug]

Some really nice shots, Erik, regardless of camera or format. But it does demonstrate one can do serious photography with the Pen F...

[Erik van Straten]

Thanks Doug! I like the Pen F very much, but the darkroom work of the single frame format is quite demanding ...

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8061/8278114968_34a36b8cc0_c.jpg

[Doug]

...I like the Pen F very much, but the darkroom work of the single frame format is quite demanding ...Yes, that brings back some memories! I haven't had a working darkroom for some years, but I recall extra care with dirt and such on the small negs, spotting the prints, and annoyance with the enlarger head (Beseler 23C) rather high for moderate size prints.

To address that latter issue, I used a lensless lens board with a v.1 35mm Summicron set on top as a wider enlarging lens. A lens retaining ring screwed in helped align the 'cron at the center of the opening, and I just set the lens at f/8 and went to work. :)

I did later get a Minolta 30mm f/2.8 C.E. Rokkor-X enlarging lens for 110-size negs, and I don't recall if I tried it with half-frame to see if it would cover that size neg too.

What do you use, Erik, for half-frame printing?

[Erik van Straten]

I use a Leitz Valoy II wth a special 18x24mm mask and a Nikkor 50mm f/2.8 enlarging lens. This set up is for single frame better than my Focomat IIc with Focotar 60mm f/4.5. Print size is 18x24cm.

Erik.

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8214/8274926913_45febe889c_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8494/8294246443_7a37ea0b80_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8344/8276798955_f2fabcd5ca_c.jpg

[Doug]

Pen FV, 20mm f/3.5, UC100

http://dslrexchange.com/photopostdslrx/data/500/050910-10.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100 printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8485/8280402949_ea082b3276_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8246/8575031082_618f6de8ed_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/8746712029_1c0b3b6282_c.jpg

[Doug]

Fine stuff, Erik; I think the pic in post #56 is particularly powerful.

[Erik van Straten]

Thanks Doug, I like your picture with the 20mm very much! On that trip to Istanbul I did not take the 20mm with me, but I have it and I know it's a very fine lens.

Erik.

[Doug]

Istanbul! I had been wondering about the location, and now the mixed appearance of the people makes more sense. You really got around the outskirts. I lived near Izmir for 18 months, so I passed through Istanbul coming and going, and on leaving I did take a day -Jun 10 1964- to see some of the main points of interest and shoot some photos. I should scan those slides. (Some with a Petri Half-7)

Here's a shot with the 38mm Zuiko I think...
http://dslrexchange.com/photopostdslrx/data/500/050917-05big.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8474/8349641931_b5a6b2f04a_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8382/8580384434_91f5e29b67_c.jpg

[Doug]

Interesting, Erik! Thanks for the time/place info. Looks like the young lady in post 62 is doing well on tips. I'm curious about post #56, thinking that might be a part of the old city wall?

One with the 25mm f/2.8 on the Pen FT, wherein the artist has been using the flowers as subjects for the paintings:

http://dslrexchange.com/photopostdslrx/data/500/050917-16big.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Yes, Doug, those are the landwalls of emperor Theodosius from the 4th century. Recently they have been restored, it seems.

Erik.

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8580617754_25a2631f15_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8581003406_713d3fe01b_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8526/8577334267_b86b6aa058_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8373/8575715346_4563ded911_c.jpg

[Sonnar2]

These are great pictures, Erik, like them very much!

[Erik van Straten]

Thanks Sonnar2, I'll load up some more the next days.

Erik.

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8224/8359389420_8cb98521ea_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 40mm f1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7313/8747694066_449ae0c638_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 40mm f/1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7292/8741125355_661c16f934_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 40mm f/1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7283/8742373778_3a1b6af7f2_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 40mm f/1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/8749708083_243017d01b_c.jpg

[jbielikowski]

Erik, what can I say, great photos of my beloved Istanbul, got something that I'm always looking being there.

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you, Jan!

Erik.

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 40mm f/1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8124/8748776128_8c219a41f7_c.jpg

[Doug]

Charming, Erik! I like this style of impromptu street photo. You clearly have a way of making a pleasant interaction.

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you, Doug. Twenty years ago the people in Turkey always said "Thank you" when I took their picture! Nowadays in Amsterdam they seem wanting to kill me.

Erik.

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 40mm f/1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7283/8738646458_64dd87a3bf_c.jpg

[mabelsound]

Erik, do you use the built-in meter?

[Erik van Straten]

Mabelsound, yes I did use the meter. The system is very convenient, altough a bit odd. You look trough the finder to see wich number is indicated by the meter and you select the same number on the lens. The f-stop ring can be turned so that either the f-stops or the special meter numbers are shown on the upper side of the lens. The advantage of this system is that measuring is always at full aperture and there is no need for a coupling between the lens and the camera.

Erik

[mabelsound]

Yeah, I have an FT, I was just curious how you find the meter. It is awkward but good to have, i think.

[Erik van Straten]

Yes, those tiny negatives have to be correctly exposed to produce a good print. I exposed the Tmax100 @ 50 ISO and developed it in Microdol X. In fact the Tmax100 made single frame B+W photography possible almost 20 years after the Pen F system was out of production.

Erik.

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 40mm f/1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8239/8665589761_8f27e72e64_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 40mm f/1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/8737380739_7a82d69574_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 25mm f/4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7281/8738309183_9665e3230c_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 40mm f/1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/8739230964_27afbc3095_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 25mm f/4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/8744559736_499e0ef7a5_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympys Pen FT, Zuiko 40mm f/1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7284/8743351743_30e700d9dd_c.jpg

[mtoledano]

Pen F w/ 38mm/1.8 - T-Max 400. Negative scan w/ Epson 4490.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/4471756161_07047c02fb_o.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 40mm f/1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/8751355644_f72165d4b8_c.jpg

[Doug]

Olympus Pen FV, 40mm f/1.4 Zuiko, Fuji Super-HQ 200.
I asked if he likes pastries, and he said, "Isn't it obvious?"
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=89169&d=1320018842
http://dslrexchange.com/photopostdslrx/data/500/050723-04.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympys Pen FT, Zuiko 70mm f/2, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/8745134100_925fb63456_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 40mm f/1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8548/8748374920_31fe6709bb_c.jpg

[Doug]

Nice shots! You caught interesting moments.
A couple with Pen FV, 70mm f/2, Fuji Super-HQ 200.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78006&d=1270541289

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78007&d=1270541305

[Sonnar2]

Erik, again, thanks for the pictures. You have a great eye.

[Erik van Straten]

Thanks Doug and Sonnar2!

Doug, I like your shots very much.

I hope some other people will post their pictures taken with the Pen F-series too.

Erik.

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 40mm f/1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8329/8353599435_71114f886f_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 40mm f/1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8218/8354524057_c91eab4dc8_c.jpg

[eurekaiv]

I got a Pen FT w/ 38 1.8 a few weeks ago and have since added a 25mm 2.8 and 50-90 zoom. I've managed to push one 36 roll through (72 shots takes awhile ) and I absolutely adore it. Here's a couple of my favorites... shot with expired but cold stored Fuji Pro 160S.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6567146613_5b4f5d766a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eurekaiv/6567146613/)
Fiberglass Opposites (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eurekaiv/6567146613/) by eurekaiv (http://www.flickr.com/people/eurekaiv/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6567156317_e0d03e1581.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eurekaiv/6567156317/)
Man vs. Hose (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eurekaiv/6567156317/) by eurekaiv (http://www.flickr.com/people/eurekaiv/), on Flickr

[Doug]

I see you are already having fun with your Pen! And congratulations on finding the faster 25mm; it's much less common than the f/4 25mm. Should be a very useful lens, and the 38 is excellent! It looks like "Man" is underexposed; I usually set my meter for ISO 100 with that film.

[eurekaiv]

Yeah, I was kinda lucky on the 25mm. I found it a camera show and paid about what one might expect for the f4 variety. :D

As for the metering, thanks for the tip. I've only shot one other roll of that film and it exposed well at 160 (in a Nikon FG IIRC) so it's possible I didn't meter at all for that shot—just took the picture with whatever the previous settings were so I didn't miss it. I'm running a fresh roll of Solaris through it right now and I'm much more familiar with that film so I'll get a good idea of wether or not the meter is accurate.

[raytoei@gmail.com]

hi...i am waiting for my Pen F to arrive.

one question for Pen F owners, what is the slowest hand-held speed that is reasonable ? Is this same like any SLR .... about 1/30 - 1/60 ?

thanks, i can't wait.

[eurekaiv]

I shot a few pics at 1/30th with my 25 and 38 that came out fine. The thing is just so light and well balanced—it really feels steady in the hand at slower speeds. I recently tried a few shots at 1/15th and slower (though for the latter I was using some wall or post support) but I'm still away on xmas vacation and won't have a chance to process everything until I get back home this weekend.

[Zorkiiglaza]

I inherited a Ft from my late father-in-law. This camera has been stored in a box with other ignored cameras for 2 decades. I came upon this camera a few weeks ago and put a battery from my SP 35 in it and the meter sprang to life after 30 plus years. The meter is right on and its a great camera to play around with. My first roll of color print film was fantastic and the negatives sharp and contrasty. I thought it would be nice to have a wider angle than the 38 but am dismayed at the cost of the 20 and 25mm lenses. But still it is not really that much smaller than my M2.

[raytoei@gmail.com]

Since Pen lens are quite expensive, I wonder if using a OM->Pen adapter, what lens are highly recommended ? I was checking out the 35/f2.8 and even the 28/f3.5. Are these lens much larger than the average pen lenses ?

thanks !

raytoei

[eurekaiv]

I don't have any OM gear but maybe this helps...

Here's a pic of the Pen 25/2.8 (which is one of the larger pen primes—the 38/1.8 is about 2/3 its size) next to a Super-Takumar 50/1.4 which is a rather small 50/1.4.

http://www.offsetguitars.com/personal/jay/pen25.jpg

[Sonnar2]

..but with an M42 adapter the Takumar looks huge!

[Tessar.]

The 25/2.8 pics from the one I had were really nice. Lovely rendering.

[raytoei@gmail.com]

here is my pen FT...

http://retro2.ms11.net/penf-small.jpg

here are some images from the first roll

http://retro2.ms11.net/haggle-small.jpg

But I must say, this camera is very very hard to focus indoors / evenings..

raytoei

[zuiko85]

raytoe@, last month you asked about adapted OM mount lenses. I use them on my Pen F and they work fine. Of course the aperture operation is full manual, view at full aperture and then stop the lens down to the shooting aperture. The problem is finding a Pen F to OM adapter. They are not common and quite expensive, well north of $100. If you can get past that hurtle, you could be all set.

[raytoei@gmail.com]

thanks zuiko85, i snagged one plus a 28/f2.8 om... here are some random shots...

http://retro2.ms11.net/hf-trip.jpg


ps. actually, i found that if i didn't mount the lens all the way,
the lens would still show the image at the widest aperture
instead of the shooting aperture.

pps. any comments on the m42 screwmount to Pen adapter ?

raytoei

[Doug]

pps. any comments on the m42 screwmount to Pen adapter ?

raytoei
Ray congrats on your Pen FT; looks clean, hope it's as nice inside too! I have the Pentax M42 mount adapter. It has a flat front surface like most screw-mount Pentax bodies, without the annular groove found on the Spotmatic F and ES. So along with other earlier Pentax screw lenses the later SMCT lens's Auto/Manual switch will work properly for convenient switching from wide open for focus/compose, to stopped down for the exposure.

These adapters were more common than many other mounts, but still can be pricy and hard to find. I think mine came from KevinCameras, not the least expensive source for sure but he often has the stuff that others don't.

[OlympusRF]

Here's some photos of my kit, and some pictures taken with the 25mm f4 & the 100mm f3.5.http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6142/6003584952_28e5228147_b.jpghttp://farm7.staticflickr.com/6139/6003041871_c4b51eb063_z.jpghttp://farm7.staticflickr.com/6042/6243890869_c7bdc41b75_z.jpghttp://farm7.staticflickr.com/6102/6243891913_52dcdf6c09_z.jpghttp://farm7.staticflickr.com/6211/6260581676_cdc7b81c1a_z.jpghttp://farm7.staticflickr.com/6047/6254820273_63cd3d0ddb_b.jpghttp://farm7.staticflickr.com/6106/6260580704_3a4c8fed7c_z.jpg).

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7082/6905847902_08dca6cb01_c.jpghttp://farm6.staticflickr.com/5344/6905853654_124b4a79d3_c.jpghttp://farm7.staticflickr.com/6138/6003027105_1c02c2d3dc_z.jpghttp://farm7.staticflickr.com/6132/6003581576_6bcc3004ed_z.jpg

[flip]

In Japan, the most common adapters to source at the OM at around $120. The Nikon F adapters go up another 50%. M42 is not so common. I have seen the Leica one's regularly, but if it doesn't go to infinity or reduce my kit size.... no point.

[raytoei@gmail.com]

http://retro2.ms11.net/car-b-1.jpg

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

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Amsterdam, 1989.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8064/8270825296_b2aa826714_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Istanbul 1989.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8220/8270810512_db46a80ef9_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Istanbul 1989.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8212/8269753385_7dd2837fec_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus FT, Zuiko 38mm f/1.8, Tmax100.

Istanbul 1989.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8071/8272535815_d06b95df14_c.jpg

[Film dino]

Going back to the diptych theme.. (Edit-oops that should be 38/1.8)

[renekas]

Have you guys tried the battery adapters that are supposed to lower the current from 1.55V to 1.35V ? There are some on ebay but i don't know if they are reliable, what do you think ? And how are the wein cells that do not contain mercury? I've heard they run out fast. What do you use?

[TheHub]

Have you guys tried the battery adapters that are supposed to lower the current from 1.55V to 1.35V ? There are some on ebay but i don't know if they are reliable, what do you think ?

I use an adapter that takes one LR-44 battery. In both a Pen FT and Rollei 35 it has worked great.

edit: http://www.smallbattery.company.org.uk/sbc_mr9_adapter.htm <-- it looks like this

[renekas]

Does it really give you 1.35V on a 1.55V battery?

I got this one :http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130646083632?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2648

but it only reduces the current 0.1V, where as i need it reduced 0.2V on the SR43/386 battery.

[renekas]

Oh great.. so i also got a mercury cell, but the lightmeter sill doesnt seem correct. Its way too sensitive, its impossible to take photos outside when the sun is shining. Has anyone had similar problems?

[shadowfox]

Oh great.. so i also got a mercury cell, but the lightmeter sill doesnt seem correct. Its way too sensitive, its impossible to take photos outside when the sun is shining. Has anyone had similar problems?

It's not impossible.
You just have to use a handheld meter or Sunny-16 :)

That's how I always use my Pen FT.
Hoping that a 60 yeas old meter still functioning to specification, is to me, a low expectation.

[sreed2006]

Today I sold my Pen FT with 4 lenses, and my Pen D. It was the first time I've sold any of my camera gear. I've given some stuff away in the past, but it has been mainly acquire, acquire, acquire for the past 10 to 12 years.

While the Olympus Pen is a fun system, I have a collection of more cameras than I can use. I felt it was time let someone else enjoy the gear.

It feels strange, selling part of my collection. Not sure if it feels good or bad.

[Dana B.]

I agree. It does feel weird. I have realized that, in time, some gear has to go. I recently sold a black Nikkormat FT2, but kept the FT3, as all my Nikkor lenses are compatible with it. Similarly, some time back I sold two FTs, including a black one, with 38/1.8s. But I kept my favorite, an original Pen F, with case, lenses and accessories. While the black FT may be more collectible, I favor the original Pen F. I don't miss the gear, nor do I feel I shall regret selling it.

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 40mm f/1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8380/8593217314_bb143b1281_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 40mm f/1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8530/8593639176_f55caf2d04_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 60mm f/1.5, Tmax400.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/8662673559_209d3edd51_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus Pen FT, Zuiko 40mm f/1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8393/8670992787_961315176e_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus FT, Zuiko 25mm f/4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/8754209880_cfae388f25_c.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Olympus FT, Zuiko 40mm f/1.4, Tmax100.

Erik.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2831/8753481929_36c8462962_c.jpg