OLYMPUS HALF FRAME CAMERAS
The E-series took the original Pen one step further with the addition of a meter and automatic exposure -- and in one case, a flash! Many of these cameras had two shutter speeds. The higher speed was used with the built-in meter -- it was activated when the film speed was dialed in. Then the meter set the aperture automatically. The slower speed was designed for flash pictures -- it was activated when the aperture was set manually. This made the cameras much more versatile, since the flash option allowed the cameras to be used as a manual-exposure camera -- admittedly at a single, slower speed.
(1961-1966) The EE is one of the most confusing models. Not only because there was also an EE-2 and an EE-3 but because there were different models of the original EE. The basic idea for this camera was to take the Pen and make a more automatic camera. There were two approaches to this. First, a meter was added to allow for automatic exposure. Just dial in the film speed and the selenium meter (surrounding the lens) set the correct aperture. The shutter speed was fixed at 1/60. For flash use, the opposite side of the film speed dial allowed you to over-ride the meter and manually select the f-stop -- still at 1/60. The other "auto" feature was "automatic" focusing. This was achieved with a fixed-focus -- 28mm -- lens. Film speeds could be set from 10 - 200. Apertures from f3.5 - 22. It came with a PC socket, but the flash shoe was not built-in. Later, a second model came out with two shutter speeds -- 1/30 and 1/250. All other features were the same. The big difference was that selecting a film speed sets the shutter speed at 1/250, while selected an f-stop (for flash) sets the shutter speed at 1/30. This is a configuration that was used in several other Pens. Cosmetically it is difficult to tell the two models apart. The model I has a standard "leather-looking" leatherette on the body. The model II covering is a "basket-weave"-type, used on many other Pen cameras. Since the new meter surrounded the lens, a new dual-filter approach was used. The camera could use 22.5 filters over the lens or 43.5mm filters over the lens and meter -- nice touch.
(1962-1966) The Pen series did a lot of flip-flopping on lenses. The EES was the Pen EE with a focusing lens. It had a 30mm (f2.8 - 22) focusing lens.with three focus-indents for near, far, and intermediate distances. Shutter of 1/40 or 1/200 with f-stop selected by the selenium meter (at 1/200). F-stop can be set manually with the shutter speed at 1/40. No flash shoe, but PC connector. "S" on the front of the camera, but just says EE on the top. As with the earlier models, the slow shutter speed setting occurs when the film speed/aperture dial is set to an aperture setting. When the same dial is set to a film speed setting, the shutter is set to 1/200 and the f-stop is set by the meter. So, the camera can be used in low-light situations by setting the dial to the aperture settings -- with or without a flash. Film speeds from 10 - 200. Close focusing to 3 feet. The camera could use 22.5 filters over the lens or 43.5mm filters over the lens and meter -- nice touch.
(1965 - 1966) This is the motorized Pen. It had a six element, 35mm, manually-focusing (f2.0 - 16.0) lens. Close-focusing was to 36 inches. It had a newly styled body that was not quite as small as the original Pen body. In part this was because it had a built in motor drive using two AA batteries. This was the first Japanese camera to have an electric motor film advance and rewind. This version also had a CDS cell instead of the standard Pen EE selenium meter. Film speed could be set from ISO 10 - 400. The desired aperture was chosen and the meter automatically selected the correct shutter speed (1/30 - 1/500). The original model did not have a flash shoe, but a later version apparently did.
(1965-1966) It's the Pen EES, but designed for Agfa Rapid cassettes.
(1966-1968) Same as Pen EE, but with Olympus "easy-load" film system.
(1966-1968) Same as Pen EES, but with Olympus "easy-load" film system.
(1967-1972) Same as the first EED, but designed for regular 35mm cassettes.
(1968-1977) It looked the same as the original EE, but there were a couple of changes. First, the speeds were changed. The shutter now operated at either 1/40 or 1/200. For normal use (the film speed is selected), the selenium meter sets the f-stop and the shutter speed is fixed at 1/200. The slow shutter speed setting occurs when the film speed/aperture dial is set to an aperture setting. The camera can be used in low-light situations by setting the dial to the aperture settings -- with or without a flash. In addition, the film speed range was changed to 25 - 400 and a hot shoe was built-in. Last, but not least, only 43.5mm filters can be used. Models were available in black leatherette, grey leatherette, and a gold commemorative model was apparently made.
(1968-1871) Same as Pen EES, but hot shoe added. ISO speeds from 25 - 400. Four settings on the focusing ring. Only accepts 43.5mm filters. Available in black or grey leatherette.
(1973-1986) Identical in all features to the EE-2, except in minor details. For example, the camera is stamped EE-3. Only available in black leatherette. The last Pen to roll of the line was a Pen EE-3.
(1981-1983) Pehaps the last Japanese camera to use a selenium meter, the EF had a 28mm f3.5 (4/3) fixed-focus lens surrounded by the selenium meter. There were a couple of big differences with this model, probably because it was the only model not designed by Maitani. It was only available in black, and the body is different in two ways. It is polycarbonate plastic, instead of metal, and is slightly wider and taller, but is thinner. It has the typical programmed automatic exposure control. Shutter speeds of 1/30-1/250. The meter selected the correct aperture and f-stop from f3.5 (at 1/30) to f22 (at 1/250). The other big difference is the built in flash -- GN 33 ISO 100 in feet. It is activated by pressing a lever on the front and is powered by an AA battery. The flash shoe and PC connection are removed. It has film speeds of 25 - 400 and a filter thread of 43.5mm. Although it was the last Olympus Pen film camera to hit the stores, it was not the last one manufactured because the EE-3 continued to be made for three year (!) after this model was not longer produced.
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