Pen-FT serial number question

[Gary Orwig]

I have a black Olympus Pen-FT that I bought used a number of years ago for some early interactive video production (pre digital video). It has a wide angle 25 mm f2.8 lens that served its purpose very well. I never really paid much attention to any other details ... it simply did what it needed to do remarkably well. I am now thinking about selling it, so I decided to look up its "credentials." My first problem ... I can't figure out where it fits in the production runs. I have attached an image of its top surface. If that is the serial number, it is 440254. All other serial numbers that I have found have started with a 3,2,or 1. I assume that this is a model that is fairly recent as Pen-FT's go, but I can't find any record of any Pen-FT in the 4xx,xxx range. Can anyone help?

Many thanks!

Gary Orwig

[zuiko85]

There may be a date code on the inside under the pressure plate. The pressure plate just un-clips but be careful not to bend the springs too much. If I'm right there should be a letter and number that designate the month and year of manufacture. The Pen FT was made from 1967 to 1972 (I think) so that, for example, an letter/number such as H1 would indicate it was made in August 1971. I pulling this up from a very dim memory so if you find nothing written under the pressure plate don't be surprised but it's worth a try.

[Gary Orwig]

Thank you for that information! I did find some data stamped on the back of the pressure plate. There is a very clear "01" which is preceded by a script symbol that I can't interpret. It might be a Japanese symbol for a month of the year. I don't seem to be able to insert an image into this message, but I did attach an image of the back of the pressure plate.

One word of caution ... the pressure plate is easy to remove, but it took some careful manipulation to get it back in place again without creating rub marks or scratches!

I did also find one posted comment somewhere out there on the Web that mentioned that the black Olympus Pen-FT's did make it up into the 4xxxxx range before they ended production, so I am feeling more confident that this is an original camera and not some hybrid that was put together from parts and pieces.

The only issue that I have ever had with it is that it is not a true single action advance. The first wind is probably about 98 percent, but it requires a full return of the lever and then a tiny wind motion to release the shutter button.

Now that I've been handling it again, I'm really tempted to go buy some film. I had forgotten just how well this little camera fits in my hands!

[zuiko85]

Glad you found something at least. I had imagined is was on the door under the pressure plate and not the back of the pressure plate. As I said, a very dim memory. The person that might be able to help you is John Foster at www.biofos.com, he has extensively researched Olympus Pen cameras, both viewfinder and SLR series. The film advance problem you mention is something that is not too uncommon in the FT/FV models. I don't know if it can be fixed in repair or indicates excessively worn parts. I have read that Maitani designed the original Pen F as a two stroke film advance/shutter charge to alleviate stress on the gears compared to a single long stroke. The Pen rotating sector shutter has a high spring pressure when wound. Even with my two stroke Pen F my thumb action is slow and deliberate when I wind on to the next frame.

[Dana B.]

It's got some old legs and may need a walk around the block or two. Be sure to post some pics.