How to fix up an Olympus Pen half frame camera

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[@thomasheckhaus205]

Nicely done, I had a Pen s awhile back. I liked shooting half frame slides and running the uncut film through an old film projector. Thanks Tom USA

[@Casey.seeK.]

You actually helped save a camera! I found a Pen where the hook for the strap was dented in. Jamming the gears inside. Now I know how to open it and repair it.

[@daveyginn]

absolute legend....this is amazing work! Thanks for helping the community out with this video.

[@uvjackultravelvet7635]

Thanks for the video. In my Pen D2. The shutter doesn't stretch when the frame is stretched, it just releases. Unfortunately, oiling the parts you describe does not help, even pulling up the spring did not help. It seems to me that the fault lies somewhere else, maybe in the ring with the finger that moves the re-tension lock.

[@garthac]

I am extremely glad to have seen your video on the Olympus Pen S. I have inherited my parent's Olympus Pen S. I've been using it for almost 5 years now but a few days ago before loading a fresh roll of film, I recycled through each of the shutter sped settings until the shutter got stuck on the bulb setting. I reviewed this video and applied a little lighter fluid using a cotton bud on the shutter which fixed the problem. It's now working well. Later my next diy fux wpuld be aligning the frame line glass on the view finder. It's a little out of alignment but still usable as of this time. To do this, I wil be purchasing 8n the future a spanner to remove the screw of the film counter. Sir, thank you for the videos and looking forward to more in the future.

[@laservampire]

Thankyou for this video! I just got an original 1959 Pen which is in great working shape apart from some gunk between the elements and the front part of the viewfinder has slipped out of place. Just need to get a lens wrench and I can fix it up!

[@andrewmcphee8965]

Thank you so much for this video, going to give my Pen a clean now! Cheers from Australia.

[@adelyahershkovich7336]

Hi there! Thank you for the brilliant explanation how to..I am trying to fix my old Olympus pen-ee 2.8cm camera. the shutter button got stuck now and again. I already cleaned the shutters. They work ok. It is something to do with the clicking mechanism is wrong. Any advise?

[@AspectRatioPolice]

Thanks so much. I just bought an Olympus Pen-D , love it, everything works, but I intended doing this CLA on her. Now I will.

[@vas.milivoj]

this is very nice, very helpful , tnx a lot. it is very hard to find people fixing these cameras, so it is much to our selfs.

[@diegof.j.1228]

First of all, thanks so much for this amazing video! So much useful information and so many details are really welcome, specially when the information about disassembling this camera is so scarce on the internet... I wanted to ask you if you’ve encountered any of the two problems that my Pen (3.5, early model) suffers from, and those are a pretty stiff shutter speed ring (doesn’t bother me much, but I’m not sure if it could be problematic) and my biggest concern: the exposure counter not advancing. It moves together with the arrow point when advancing the film but it will stick on the same number no matter what, so they just spin together in the same position over and over again. If you have any information on those issues or know how to fix them, I would really really appreciate it! Thanks a lot and keep up the amazing videos!

[@vonfilm]

I have an original Pen like this one. Mine works except for the frame counter, which you did not cover on this video. It would be helpful to see how to service the frame counter function. Mine takes great pictures. Without the counter working I just shoot until it will no longer wind forward. It takes a long time to shoot 72 pictures.

[@VoidToForm]

This is a great video, I just made a huge mistake and have no one to share it with... I engraved my Olympus Pen, its all pretty so I took it out to shoot a roll, the shutter is sticking open.... so I look inside following this videos disassembly, and cant find whats wrong.... so I took the lens out, like you said you have to peel back the leather and all that, that went OK, here is where I screwed up, I just saw the three screws on the bottom of the lens, the peice thats like a cup that holds the shutter stuff, so i undid them and pulled it off.... springs flew everywhere, I had no clue where they originally went.... ughhhhh.... It took myt about 6 hours to get it back together..... works great now though. I did find the problem though, a small shard of metal from my engraving had fallen into the camera and jammed itself under the shutters where the little bump out to move them is, It was jammed in pretty good so I do think disassembly was necessary, but gosh, i wish I realized I could have took the lens apart from the front! Today I will be trying to refocus for infinity, not sure how with a half frame as the ground glass doesn't have much detail....

[@tylerflow]

Can the lens elements for the original 30/2.8 PEN and PEN-S be replaced with lenses from later models like the EES? My PEN-S could use a new rear element and EES and EES-2 models seem to be more readily available for cheap. Thank you, I always appreciate your repair videos.

[@jakapathuayrahan6846]

What oil for lubricating the mechanic and the glue for the viewfinder should be use?? For a simple household or not too specific items??

[@monodistortion]

Right after you took the top cover off (13:22) there was a small brass washer near the rewind knob hole that you took off. Where did that come from? Did you put it back? Around 30:30 it looks like there was a second washer that slipped over so there would have been two washers for the two holes next to the rewind knob hole.

[@vaggelispetsopoulos2397]

I have a question, can i use oil that we also cook with or do i need some kind of special oil? Also,i have a pen d does it make it harder to open the top because of the light meter? Is it more dangerous? Thank you very much!!

[@AlphaBravoJP]

For the olympus pen w, how do take out the frame counter top. It seems it requires me to take thay part off too

[@lucadipaolo1997]

Hey, does this apply to the Pen W? Mine has a stuck shutter. Besides that, the Bulb setting was working, but then it started firing at 1/30 instead. I don't really mind fixing that as much, but still would be nice because I need to clean the inside of the lens as well. Thanks!

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

The Pen W has the same shutter as the Pen S, and is prone to having the same issues.

[@lucadipaolo1997]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 Thanks for the tips. I tried cleaning it a bit but it's still stuck. The winding mechanism is wound, but it won't fire. I suspect I'll have to open it up, but I suppose I'll be better off just taking it to a repair shop.

[@rockporttwentyseven]

can i send u my pen-s to align the viewfinder framing lines? and a CLA? it is twisted, crooked to the right.

[@adventureuav]

I have an original, fixed focus EE and the focus is off, being well short of infinity. I can't find info on setting the focus anywhere. Any suggestions?

[@MasterT-n2c]

Great video, thanks, one of this just lining up for repair in my stash. New sub here.🙂 Hey just wondering do you have any trick to repair non working light meter in camera? For example the one in like a Ricoh half frame.

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

The best you can do is salvage a working light meter cell from another camera. Many early cameras with selenium cells, like Minoltas, had an adjustment screw to adjust the sensitivity of the meter, this can make the meter cell easier to adapt to another camera.

[@MasterT-n2c]

Thanks.👍@@japanvintagecamera8869

[@simsimi7762]

hey man, first of all thanks for the video, its very complete. I want to ask you if you know on how to solve my problem because the repair costs too much. I'm having trouble with a light source reflecting, there is a shape of white light in almost every single photo that I take outside. It's bothering me because it covers the entire picture. If you know how to fix it let me know, i would really appreciate it.

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

The camera probably has a light leak. There is a seal on the bottom cover and another in the channel where the cover slides up under the top cover. More than likely the bottom light seal needs replacement, the top seal is redundant, and light won't leak from the top even if there is no seal.

[@simsimi7762]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 Alright, thanks a lot man!

[@jparsonsfilm]

Very informative video. I have a Pen D2 I've been looking for how to service and didn't have any guides on it until now. My Pen D2 had a jammed advance knob. After watching this, I got bold enough to pop the top off the camera. That mechanism you mention at 13:43 was stuck and wouldn't let the knob move. I pushed it out of the way and now I have the reverse problem. The wheel advances the film and cocks the shutter, but does not stop. It does not cause the shutter to fire though. Any advice how to fix this?

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

There may not be a problem with the winding mechanism, it may be the shutter blades are stuck, and since the shutter wasn't firing, the camera wouldn't wind. The winding mechanism has pawls in it, these limit the travel when winding the film, and prevent the knob from being turned the wrong way. Make sure that these haven't been knocked out of place.

[@jparsonsfilm]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 Once I got the advancing lever free, the shutter cocked and fired cleanly. There's something hinkey with the advancing wheel+levers such that the catch doesn't engage the pawls when it should. The pawls did look a little loose, but I'm not sure which direction to tighten them. Hopefully I'll have time to mess with them later this week.

[@jparsonsfilm]

I got back to fixing this camera. It looks like the cocking lever was pushing enough to engage the shutter, but not far enough to engage the winding mechanism to stop. I carefully bent the small lever between the cocking lever and the winding stop and that seemed to make it work properly. I'm not sure if its a permanent solution.

[@dedclownsRfunny]

Can I ask if you mean, the winder will wind, but doesn’t stop where it should to take the photo? I’m having this issue now. I think I’ll have to rewind film and then attempt to fix

[@locadeva]

this little camera looks and sounds amazing! I'm just curious but what is the filter size for it? it could be fun to shoot with a red filter i guess :) thanks!!!

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

The filters size is 22.5mm, Olympus made a variety of filters in this size.

[@locadeva]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 Thanks! Wow! That's a tiny filter :)

[@petercooper9054]

I bought one the other day the Olympus Pen S with the f2.8 lens. Your right the shutter blades were stuck solid and the only way to free the shutter was to strip it down. The aperture was working but something must have moved and it will not close down now. The blades have slipped. I've put all kinds of shutters and aperture blades back but this unit seems like it's impossible to open. I have the aperture unit out with no lens elements in it but I can't get any further. On the inside part there are two notches that you can put a spanner wrench on but it seems stuck fast. Have you ever opened one up. Any help greatly appreciated.

[@MoNtAg3mAn]

Hi Peter, did you ever manage to fix this? One of the aperture blades has slipped on my Pen S too. Any help would be much appreciated! :)

[@petercooper9054]

@@MoNtAg3mAn alas no. I tried everything and damaged the screw thread so it will not go back in the body. I bought one the other week in better condition than what the photos showed for $1. Of course postage and taxes from Japan made it about €35. So I can either service this one or use the lens and aperture part for the other serviced one. The blades will come out if open the lens up and take the pressure off as you might have done for cleaning. I think I will cut the other one up to see how it is supposed to go together for future reference. I'll let you know the results

[@PremKumar-yf8jo]

I have the same camera in brand new condition.

[@harryn4883]

Would appreciate any input from yourself or commenters! I have an original UV filter attached to my Pen (same model as above) that has corroded and I cannot unscrew. Camera film tested and functional but lens has oil. If I unscrew from inside the camera to clean the lens, am I still able to access each lens component without complete disassembly? I am still new to camera repair and would hate to cause damage in reassembly. Many thanks.

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

I usually end up having to break off stuck filters on these cameras, this involves using metal nippers which I use to cut the rim of the filter and break the glass. You have to be careful not to cut or scratch the filter ring around the lens You can clean the inside of the lens by removing the rear element, you can hold open the shutter with the B setting, and use a pair of needle-nose pliers as a lens spanner.

[@harryn4883]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 That's excellent advice, really appreciate your expertise. Will give it a (careful) try. Many thanks.

[@munchkinmunchkin123]

Is there a way to remove internal dust from the lens? 😊

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

If you hold open the shutter on the B setting, you can remove the rear lens element group, then you can clean up the inside of the lenses.

[@mattumont201]

Hey man! I wold like to ask u a thing, the shutter of my Olympus pen (like ur model) it’s locket in the “open” position and it does not close anymore. How can I fix this? TIA

[@mattumont201]

Sorry I meat the blade of the shutter are blocked

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

The shutters in these cameras are prone to sticking, naphtha or lighter fluid will usually loosen them up enough to open or close properly.

[@mattumont201]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 thanks for answering me! The thing is that I can not see the blade of the shutter cause it’s open

[@mattumont201]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 if you want, you can answer on my mail so I’ll send you pic of my camera! Thanks a lot!!

[@BEM_01]

Same problem as I am having. Have you resolve this already?

[@michaelbuckley8986]

Interesting

[@jakapathuayrahan6846]

Why does mine need to advance 2 times to shoot...? 🤨 Is it a problem? If so... How to fix it. Pleaseeee

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

There is a latch and a pawl in the winding mechanism which often sticks in these cameras, and this causes winding problems. Cleaning and oiling these parts gets it working properly again,

[@jakapathuayrahan6846]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 thank alot! ☺️ Just got into film, found pen original. For 5 bucks 😂

[@incredibleindigowaters]

Luckkkky! I bought my EE-S for $135.. lowest price I could fund actually >.

[@denztingz]

So, you mean that Pen S f3.5 doesn't get stick easily?

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

That is correct.

[@denztingz]

All noted, so I'm going to avoid the f2.8 version of Pen S. Thank you.

[@AbdulGabagool83]

@@japanvintagecamera8869my 3.5 has been getting stuck recently, the wheel won’t complete the spin. I got it a few weeks back. I noticed when I lightly touched the shutter with a dry cotton swap it would release I’m assuming this “getting stuck” has to do with the shutter blades being dirty? I think I saw some grime on it when I opened it last too. Do you think doing the cleaning cycle you showed with 92% alcohol will fix it? Should I apply alcohol anywhere else? I’m assuming it’s the shutter as even lightly touching them fixes the issue for a bit

[@lucavasconcellos]

on mine the film wont pass, and the shutter wont fire

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

It could be the winding knob is stuck, which will prevrent the film from winding or the shutter from firing. You can sometimes free it up by applying solvent or lighter fluid to the underside of the winding knob between it and the plastic cover. Hold the camera upside down when you put in the solvent, with the lens facing downward a little.