Half frame film photography // Olympus Pen EES-2 review

[@Mettyunuabona_]

The name "Pen EES-2' didn't age well in the world of the internet good stuff Kyle - been wanting to get a Half frame for myself for the past couple of years now - to play around with diptychs

[@PoeInTheDitch]

Damn. You beat me to it.

[@jdsd771007]

Haha....once you see it, it can’t be unseen!

[@PoeInTheDitch]

@@jdsd771007 That's why I got banned from 7-11.

[@KyleMcDougall]

😅 Yeah, took a me a bit to notice that one!

[@grainydaysss]

Hah Pen EES?

[@tonymontiel3274]

The legend appears!

[@KyleMcDougall]

A quality name.

[@stasgavrilovru]

tiny pen ees, loose truck. American history🙌

[@jakubrostkowski6420]

this joke had to be staged :D

[@prkrprtn]

I can’t escape your sarcasm

[@snakeriverscotto]

I’ve never been disappointed in any Olympus 35 series I have purchased and CLR’d. I love them!

[@MrAterianer]

With the zone focusing, viewfinder and selenic meter / automatic exposure, this reminds me a lot of my Olympus Trip 35 which I LOVE. Great video as always, I especially like your variance in background music which is a nice break from the monotonous music of other film photography channels.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed! Cheers.

[@simon5665]

There go the ebay prices.

[@Matheus.MRoque]

This has already happened here in Brazil. Some analog cameras were already expensive because they were considered "collector's pieces", but the prices increased a lot after some celebrities posted on their Instagrams some photos holding certain models, like the olympus trip 35 and olympus mju, more or less that happened with Contax T2 after Frank Ocean used it to take some pictures. In addition, some people end up discovering these cameras kept at home, look at the sale sites and see the high prices, and finally end up selling cameras full of fungus or not working at the price of revised cameras, or else they sell based on the international price, commonly the price on ebay, and as the dollar is five times more expensive than our currency, prices go up.

[@ElishaDavid]

@@Matheus.MRoque This especially bothers me when people sell their untested cameras on eBay at the same prices as fully functioning ones, yet don’t offer a return option. It’s ridiculous to make someone pay $100+ item that is not deemed working.

[@Matheus.MRoque]

@@ElishaDavid Yes, it really is to make anyone angry. but the analog market is absurdly abusive around here. There's only one guy who sells movies fairly. One of the good things is that one of the biggest sales sites, similar to ebay, has a return service within 30 days, in case the product has a problem that was not mentioned in the description.

[@SkaterBrx]

I bought mine for €15 of Facebook marketplace, great place to find some great film camera’s!

[@Vinsta360]

Love this! I just bought an Olympus Pen EE-2 and I’m excited to run a roll of film through it! I really like the idea of pairing frames! Very inspiring.

[@tahleasmith1247]

Saw you posting these photos on Instagram and then came home to find the exact same camera waiting for me! I’d never heard of it before, my great grandfather bought it decades ago while visiting Fiji.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Awesome! You’ll have to run some film through it.

[@CuDerRaGer]

Dude your editing in this was to die for 🙌🏿🙌🏿 and the images were so nostalgic I love it. Thanks for this upload it was really different and nice.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed! 🙏

[@oscarmedek7744]

A lot of the shots from this thing are absolutely incredible. Much love.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Much appreciated!

[@JS52ATS]

I have an original pen f, had it for over a year now and I love it to bits.

[@adamholod2103]

I grabbed an AGAT 18k, and as an amateur it was really rewarding to put an emphasis on composure. Very simplistic while allowing a degree of control, and an accurate exposure guide.

[@TimGreig]

Nice review. I'm surprised you didn't mention the weird "hold the camera vertically to shoot landscape" fun part! Also, a DOF app or chart, plus a little more use would nail the focusing issue. Pentax just released the Pentax 17 so this format won't go away 😊

[@willprice7475]

I actually picked a Pen S up from Film Supply Club last year. It's a fun little format to use. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@FaizalWestcott]

Great. Another camera I want to buy now 😄 Great video Kyle!!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Faizal!

[@marcargentique]

I was definitely going to recommend the Pen F when you were listing the cons of the EES. I've been using one for a while and it is always refreshing to come back to. 72 frames seems intimidating at first but when you start to shoot and look for pairs, it goes by quite fast. Glad you have enjoyed half frame!

[@KyleMcDougall]

I’ll definitely be checking out the F!

[@garoldcarlisle5637]

The Pen F is a wonderful system.getting hard to find in good condition and definitely getting more expensive. I have two EES-2 cameras beautiful little things. One has been CLA'd , the other needs one. Thanks for sharing you images.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Garold.

[@Kokorba6iqta]

I love the passion and attention to detail you put in every video of yours. And they are also useful and inspiring.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks so much! 🙏

[@mforfilm4833]

So happy you made this video, was really looking forward to it since you first announced it! I am really digging your 1/2 frames experiments and have even been developing a small project since you started sharing those. Thanks for the inspiration 🙏 🙏 🙏

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@christianklintholm]

I love my Pen FT. Absolutely the most fun camera I've ever had.

[@willinirschl]

The video and the pictures of course look so amazing. Beautiful nostalgic editing! ;) i saw the pen today for the first time and never heard of a half frame camera before. The idea to compose two pics in one 35mm frame is beautiful and very exciting! Loved the pairs you shot for this video.

[@jdsd771007]

The images you created with this little half frame were really impressive! I like the more mindful approach of a complimentary second frame. Very cool! Great b-roll too. The tight shots and flaring had a nice vintage look 👍 Awesome video and music as always!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Jarrett! Glad you enjoyed this one.

[@timrpbrown]

I have a Pen F and absolutely love it. The 38mm f/1.8 Zuiko lens is phenomenal (I adapt it to my Fuji x-e3 on occasions and gives great results). Love your images and have me keen to get back out there with my Pen F. Thanks

[@joelbeltran9127]

Dude I LOVE my pen ft, go for it, you won't regret it! Sunny 16 gave me a perfect batch of photos and the 38mm 1.8 handles so well and is so sharp you almost can't tell it's half the resolution!

[@ElishaDavid]

It's so portable too - I keep it in my pocket when I shoot medium format. 72 frames gives me the option to take only the best shots with my medium format, and having the Pen right there gives me the chance to get those peripheral shots just for fun.

[@rebeccasuur]

Love the way you composed this video.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you!

[@Nilitara36]

Currently in London, for a few days. Decided to leave the digital’s at home, and bring my trusted Pen ee, love this little camera, so much I bought the ee s too. Have noticed prices shooting up! Think I paid £13 for one of mine, both in fantastic condition with working red flags.

[@Otokichi786]

The first 35mm half frame camera I saw was a college classmate's Canon Demi camera. I borrowed it and ran a roll or two of Tri-X Pan film through it. It was a fun camera, and I considered buying one, but continued to use Ye Olde Nikkormat FTN, instead. In the 1970's I found a Univex 35mm half frame camera of the 1940's in Shutterbug Ads. Another college friend bought an Olympus Pen FT, which was even more interesting as a "system SLR" with a number of lenses and "X synch at any speed."

[@richardmayberry5905]

I just recently bought a Fujica Half 2.8, and I am astonished with the quality of the images! I initially questioned whether a half-frame camera could produce quality enlargements , but my concerns were unjustified. Considering that the negatives are the same size as an APS-C sensor and, surprisingly, the same dimensions as 35mm motion picture film, significant enlargements are not unreasonable! Just for giggles, I've bought a couple of rolls of Eastman XX cinema film to run through it to see what I can get. I am also going to run a roll through my Leica, just for comparison. If you can’t play around and have fun, then why bother? 😊

[@sharonleibel]

Pen EE3 is my childhood camera. We called it “doubling”, rather than “half frame”. Cute little thing. But it was hell to finish a roll of 72 frames. Took 1/2 a year 😂 I still have 300 9x13 cm prints from 2 weeks in Europe back in summer 84. We didn’t even put it in albums. We just couldn’t handle so many prints from each roll (in the 80s that was the main print size, until 10x15 took over)

[@KyleMcDougall]

Yeah, 72 images can absolutely be daunting. I was surprised though for this video how quick I got through them.

[@sharonleibel]

@@KyleMcDougall Today, there is a great advantage to these, because you don’t print everything, and you usually scan the entire frame rather than printing. So you can have each frame be comprised of 2 half frames of the same “storyline”. Then, you treat it really as 36 frames with 2 halves of a story, which is great.

[@NunoAlmeidaPhotography]

Think I may have to try one, the overall image quality is a lot better than I expected!

[@AeromaticXD]

I feel like you could do a half-frame Zine justice!

[@avernonjones]

Here, long after this video was made, but I completely agree. These pairs are some of my favorite images I’ve seen from you, Kyle. Such a knack for echoes of shape and light from one frame to the other.

[@german-in-korea]

Got an ee-3 a couple of weeks ago. Really like it! Your videos are awesome! Keep on the good work.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Max.

[@lueniopue2488]

I have seen until now 2 reviews that convinced me to buy those tiny half frame camera, and the pen F, they were made by analog insights. This review is different and definitely rrally good and photos from this tiny little camera are extremely sharp once you master zone focusing. Thanks for this really good videos as always

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you! And yea, I watched one from Analog Insights as well. Great video.

[@joeallam]

Beautiful shots and love the way you’ve structured this video, Kyle. As someone who enjoys vertical shooting about 80% of the time, I’m keen to see how I’d get on with a half-frame camera. I half expect there to be times when you lose “count” of your shots and end up 1 frame out of sync to the images you think you’re pairing; but then there’s opportunity for happy accidents to happen!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers Joe! Yeah, it’s definitely a fun camera. As for the out of sync frames, it happens but you can always cut/crop in post. I had a few moments where I had to take a shot twice because of focus issues. You can always fix the order in post if you need.

[@iang265]

Love the idea of half frame for storytelling and vision. Nice video!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Ian.

[@matthewdeacon1970]

I completely agree with you on the 35mm comment at the beginning. Really tricky to get through a roll if there's not much opportunity to fill it and make it worth the ridiculous price you pay. As regards half frame cameras I own a Zeiss Super Ikonta from the 1930s which comes with a mask for 6x4.5 images. Instead of 8 photos you therefore get 16. That can be hard enough. Yet I brought a Ricoh half frame yesterday for £20 (about $25). Gonna try it and use it for candid photos of my friends.

[@michaelcase8574]

The canon Demi is another good choice for a half frame camera. It's a 4 sprocket format as opposed to the 8 sproket full frame. 35mm movies use the same 4 sprocket format.

[@panelsandbars]

Love the images you got with this. Seems like a great camera for someone thinking of doing a long term project.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks. Yeah, lots of creative possibilities with this one.

[@BronsonWilson]

Thanks Kyle, because of this video I found an EES-2. Am looking forward to this new format, it looks really interesting for storytelling.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Awesome! I'm sure you'll love it. Enjoy!

[@subtlymanic1786]

the b-rolls........ simply beautiful

[@joseandrade256]

Beautiful photos! You were the nail in the coffin for me to get the Pen D, and I loved it so far! I find it strange that you mention metering at 400 for +1eV and being afraid the old meter would underexpose photos. I believe its the contrary, an old meter will measure less light in the scene and cranks up the exposure, so you would end up with over-exposed shots (I learned that the hard way, with shots

[@giuliaartusa224]

Loved the video and you're creative approach. Beautiful images!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you!

[@geraldward9765]

Great video. This is one of the Pens that I use. I have a Pen F also. I sometimes leave film in it for a year or so which makes the negatives interesting.

[@richball3260]

Kyle I'm going to be a bit of a curmudgeon here. I understand your reasons for going with a half frame system but... I lusted after the Pen F when they came out. The advertising photo of Eugene Smith with one hanging around his neck was way cool in the day. I couldn't afford it at that time. Fast forward until a couple of years ago I finally bought one and several lenses and even a second body. I found the view finder dim and basically the eye relief poor. I couldn't properly frame with my glasses on and even with them off it was a challenge. Focusing was difficult with dim view finder. There are also well documented issues with the rotary shutter. Finally, the system used mercury batteries which are no longer available. There are zinc air substitutes which have a fairly short life. In the end I dumped the whole mess. I should mention that Canon also made half frame cameras one of which appears to have a actual range finder mechanism for actual focusing. Leica and Nikon also dabbled in the half frame world but these cameras are rare and expensive. And just for fun there is another half frame system. Roll Film 645 (A half frame 6X9). All the Best - Rich Ball

[@ajaxmaniia]

I've got one for years, it's incredibly good !

[@CarlosJimenezGuerra]

I've got a pen ee2, wich I love. Is my trip camera. Now I'm saving money for the king of half frame the pen f... Awesome cameras!

[@nineoneoh]

Nice video ! Cool camera and photos

[@MonsieurZine]

Nice video as always. I have the Pen FT, and the manual focus on a such camera is really cool.

[@andrewrothman7805]

Nice review. If you like SLRs, consider also the original Konica Auto-reflex (also called the Autorex in Japan), which is the only interchangeable-lens SLR that I know of that lers you change from half frame to full frame on the same roll of film. I imagine having both full and half frame on a single roll probably drives the lab crazy, lol.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Sounds cool. I’ll check it out. Thanks Andrew!

[@hydrodynamica9233]

Great video, ive been shooting with the EE2. Ive just bought the EES-2 though so i have a little more focus control. I noticed for close up photos of subjects it's perfect but often landscape type photos beyond about 10m the images are too soft for me.

[@billyspocketlife]

Ive been shooting the Olympus ee lately but I can't wait to see if it works aha it's hard to tell if it always fire but we will see soon. love the idea of shooting half frame

[@ChristopherKovacsw0anm]

Get an Olympus Pen-FT, you'll love it!

[@Crsmo322]

Loved the images. The Olympus Pen FT is in my top favorites even after owning NF3, CF1, LM3, LM6, HXP. If I had do it all over I would opt for the non metered Pen F or FV as I understand they have a brighter viewfinder. Keep up the great content!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you!

[@andrewrothman7805]

I do have a Pen FT, in black, in great condition (with the exception of a non-working light meter). I can attest that it's a wonderful camera, small and discreet (except for the shutter sound, which is actually louder than you might expect). But I'm going to sell it, now that I have a Pen FV coming. I love half frame; it forces you to be creative in a different way. Check out some of the triptychs and diptychs on line, they are very creative.

[@billpickle2875]

Really love all those shots man. You are a great photographer.

[@KyleMcDougall]

I appreciate that, Bill. Thank you.

[@nissesphotography]

Ever heard of the FED Mikron? It’s basically a soviet version of the PEN, it has a Helios 1.9 30mm lens, by far my fave half frame camera! Great video nonetheless 😊

[@tomscameras]

That's a cool camera yes! I only have the "professional" SLR version of the Pen but I also really love shooting it sometimes!

[@neal3k]

I have used the Pen FT and the Pen F. I bought the FT first and, while I liked the camera in general, the dim viewfinder was worse than I had expected. Additionally, the meter was so awkward to use the I usually used my iPhone meter app. I then bought the older Pen F and it fixed my complaints. It does require two stroke advance but otherwise, the viewfinder is so much better and easier to use. I then sold my FT. (I have the 38mm f/1.8 lens.)

[@davevayn]

Love the simplicity in your shots especially with the border ❤ thanks for introducing me to my first film camera after doing digital for years! Also love the videos in between, what were they shot on if you don’t mind me asking?

[@evaodland7349]

I have two Pen-EE the fixed focus and the EE-S version. Both work great and are quite fun to shoot. Love the shots you took...

[@colinmel66]

I dug out my old Pen EES-2 and found your video (excellent BTW). I had to double take when I saw one of your photos was taken of my friends car just along the road from me. I'm in the UK and you're based in Canada! I just wonder how you came to be walking along my road with a Pen EES-2. Amazing! (Have subscribed)

[@Didly88]

Great shots! I have the canon demi ee17 which I absolutely love. Cute as a button but sharp, sharp lens. I also have the demi ee28 which is also another great half frame, but find the ee17 to have better sharpness and possibly better details. Have a look at the demi ee17, plenty of info and examples on the net.

[@carltanner9065]

Got an EE17, myself :D

[@Didly88]

@@carltanner9065 great little camera 📸

[@StuartHerrington]

I’ve got one too, also got a Demi C. Both amazing little cameras.

[@carltanner9065]

I wanted to get a Pen F, but couldn't afford a good one (they're like $500-$900 on eBay), so I ended up buying a Canon Demi EE17, which is much like the Pen E series half frame cameras. I'd still like to get a Pen F, but I'll have to save up for one :D

[@kstrohmeier]

My uncle in law had a half frame camera. I wonder where it is now. I like the doublet image idea. Also a doublet "pano" would be fun. I am also thinking how weird it would be to turn the camera to take a landscape orientation shot.

[@Zetaphotography]

Watching the prices soar now.... Time to buy and sell. Thank you for another good video.

[@stevenpam]

Hey Kyle, just revisiting your video as I'm about to acquire my first half frame - it belonged to my first cousin twice removed's late husband (I had to double-check that 😆) . I have a Trip 35 which I really enjoy, and I guess this is really the half frame equivalent. So I'm very much looking forward to shooting with it!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Awesome! Enjoy, Steven!

[@nicholebreedlove2686]

The Vertical just kills it for me. I would like a Square format on 35mm film. That would be super cool

[@jadeone]

ooh 24x24 would be nuts

[@David_GarciaMontero]

Maybe you don't like de zone system focus but... you master it! Amazing photos!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you! It did work fine for the most part, but just like being able to see what's in focus.

[@jakubrostkowski6420]

the hat is back from the laundry! yay!

[@KyleMcDougall]

💪

[@andydreadsbmx]

Personally I have an Olympus Pen S and that set up does not allow you to frame up the way and SLR would but is fully controllable of your exposure and focus without the size of the Pen F basically a 35mm SLR size.

[@DerSollek]

I was looking at this camera 30min ago. Thanks for sending me a sign poppa

[@KyleMcDougall]

👌

[@PeteEdmunds]

Aha - that answered my question from your try 5 things video :)

[@randallstewart175]

I have an EES-2, but it suffers some sticking in that part of the exposure mechanism which sets aperture. The shutter (two speed only) seems responsive to light level, so if cleaned up, the camera probably will function. Happily, there is a YT video on how to disassemble the lens from the front to get far enough into the mechanism to clean it. Salvaging this camera from the bin would be very satisfying for me.

[@PriestBeats]

Great edit and review!

[@garylee9738]

I just picked one up at a street fair in Fremont, WA.

[@pvtiglo9917]

You will definitely love the pen f. Sadly it's out of stock in most countries.

[@henrahmagix]

aaahhhh I thought you were in the UK by the first few photos, then it was confirmed later! 💖💖💖💖💖

[@kevykev555]

Honestly appreciate content makers, especially your quality content, but this camera started my love for half frames camera back in 2005, I captured some of the most special moments of my life with this camera. And yeah I'm now worried the prices will hike up fast.... So I have mixed feelings about videos hyping old gem of a camera... but then again this knowledge should be shared.... aaaaaaaaahhhhhh

[@pedroerick3946]

Hi Kyle, you must try the Konica SLR with the half frame option, you will have more control compared to the Pen-f.

[@KyleMcDougall]

I’ll check it out.

[@filmdigitalvideos]

Still got my EE S and I had a pen f too but I sold that one, the shutter is really loud on those things.

[@footrotdog]

Very cool! After shooting 110 film, then 35mm then digital, then MF and then 4x5, I'm having trouble going back to 35mm let alone 35/2. Still, I loved your paired shots. They looked amazing!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Yeah, definitely a unique little format and may not be for everyone.

[@Twisted_Sound]

Really nice representation man! New sub for sure!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you. 🙏

[@algrano-fotografia4338]

Yerp, sometimes less is more. Good video!! Thanks for sharing. 👍

[@damonliew3504]

I have this camera. Love it.

[@simon.revill]

Really liked the pair of images idea, there are 36 short stories...

[@graydeotto2820]

I bought one of the e models can't remember which specifically. paid 4$ at value village. But the film advance jammed unfortunately so I gave it away

[@Rico-ns5dt]

Yup I was gonna say, Pen F gonna solve those issues 👌🏻

[@maximvdn]

I have one that's sadly broken, maybe it's time to pick up another one

[@AlbondigaFilms]

Nice video Kyle, and nice camera too. I have mine and I used a little :(. Grettings from Chile!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!

[@ZaneGage]

Yo those frames were fire!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Zane.

[@louisheron]

The resulting image scans are very nice! Did you "pull" your film in development or in lightroom to compensate the overexposure setting on the camera? I wonder because I want to try to put a 400 iso film in my Pen EE on a iso 200 setting. I am just sceptical of the results I'll get and if overexposing my color-neg film would help.. maybe?

[@Kate-pp5cs]

Thank you sm for this! It really helped

[@lastsaturday87]

My first half frame camera was the pen ee2. I thought moving to a pen F would be a better move but I found I lost that carefree style of set focus, point and shoot love I got from the ee2. Dont sell the ees2. I've got a feeling you'll be going back to it.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Yeah I could see that. Good point.

[@GJones-zx5nr]

Thanks for this

[@lemonzestaste]

I have the same one in drawer over 20+ years .which I just took it out.. how can we clean it before giving a shot to try using it!??

[@aaronmoiche330]

This review is so good it’s making me want to buy this camera, which I will btw 👌👌

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Aaron. It’s a fun little camera.

[@frankpavich]

What an absolutely fascinating video about a subject I knew nothing about! Thanks so much for creating this! I'm now a subscriber of course. - Since you shot a roll of 800 and the camera only sets to 400, did you push it when processing or did you not even bother? - And did you do your beautiful scans yourself? Thanks again!!!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Didn't push while processing, just let it be. I like shooting this Lomo film at 400. These scans were done by Carmencita Film Lab. They always do an awesome job!

[@frankpavich]

@@KyleMcDougall Thanks for the info!!!

[@jacksoni349]

Fantastic video/review, love your editing technique. Do you develop your Color and B+W film yourself?

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you. Not at the moment. All these were developed and scanned by Carmencita Film Lab in Spain.

[@maxine-goodnight]

How can you make focus precisely? I set on infinity focus but everything far away are blur... But for 1 person picture the things behind all sharp.

[@Tristan_Brown]

Wow this video is amazing

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you.

[@fiveburos]

Greaaaattt vid love the double shot vibe! See you