If you have never shot with a half-frame camera before, just imagine a film body that is 3/4 the size and weight, has a portrait view finder, and gets you over 70 shots per roll. It’s sort of like that. Just better.
The Olympus Pen FT is a unique camera in an already unique subsection of 35mm film cameras. While not exhaustive, have a look at this list of other some other cool half-frame cameras and tell me if you spot the big difference. While most half-frame cameras were doubling down on the size advantage by choosing a fixed lens, the Olympus Pen system was a full fledged interchangeable lens system. There were some others that accepted different lenses, perhaps most notably the ultra rare Leica 72, but not thought out as an entire system that Olympus intended to build.
Also worth mentioning is it’s unique SLR mirror system, ultra cool styling, and it’s own exposure number system used on the lenses and light meter. See my video for more explanation and visuals on that.
Okay, that’s about as much history as I can take. It’s actually pretty interesting, but I would point you to someone else who has already done a fantastic write-up and send some traffic their way to support them.
Using The Olympus Pen FT
Using the camera is an absolute dream. It handles well from the weight and balance to the satisfyingly springy rectangular shutter button. The viewfinder is small which makes focusing a bit difficult, but 38mm lens I was using was good quality and when I nailed focus it looked great.
Lenses For The Olympus Pen System Aren’t Cheap…
Speaking of the lens, I should point out that if you are considering chasing this camera you should know the lenses are decently difficult to find. And when you aren’t scratching your head on where to find them, you’re paying big bucks when you finally do spot one. For example, the amazing sounding F.Zuiko 70mm F2 could fetch close to $1k USD, and that super cool pancake E.Zuiko 38mm F2.8 will be over $500. So, if you ever come across a Pen F system with lenses at a garage sale, pay them whatever they want and come out with a healthy retirement. That being said, the 38mm F1.8 kit lens that I bought for mine can be had for under $100 and is plenty fun as-is.
Why Use The Olympus Pen FT in 2020?
Watching the film counter go up past 36, past 50, past 70, can be really exciting. As a relatively new film photographer it helped me let loose a little bit and start shooting film as if I could afford it. It felt more like a point and shoot camera than most 35mm point and shoot cameras do for that reason. Just watch out that labs may charge a little extra fee for scanning negatives that are not mainstream, like half-frames, as this will reduce your economic advantage. But if you develop and scan at home, or just have the lab develop and you can at home, then the cost savings are real.
How Do Half-frame Scans Hold Up?
Sure, there is technically a loss in resolution of a final scan, or enlargement if you’re doing that still, but as to the point made by digital photographers justifying a 16mp sensor in 2020 (as if it really needs justifying), are you really blowing up all your pictures that big? Aren’t you just sharing them on social media anyway?
In this way, this 1960’s camera was made just perfectly for Instagram. But in all seriousness, the family and life documenter would find this camera delightful and practical. The compact size does make a difference when you are carrying it around places. The option to change lenses could be something you want over a point and shoot. It sure looks better than most point and shoot cameras anyway. And the ability to shoot loads of shots per roll could give you longer sessions without flipping a roll, in addition to the cost savings.
So there you have it, my take on the Olympus Pen FT after one roll. It’s fantastically fun, beautiful to look at, and best of all it takes good pictures. Who’da thought.
Looking to pick up some used camera gear? UsedPhotoGear (by Roberts Camera) is my favorite resource. Great prices, good selection, and a 180 day warranty. The pictures are even of the actual item, unlike some other places. I’ve chosen to work with them as an affiliate, and as such may receive a commission if you choose to purchase something using my link: Get 5% off total order on UsedPhotoPro
