My Favourite and Last Film Camera - Olympus Pen FT Longterm Review

[@linjicakonikon7666]

Looks like a fabulous camera.👍📷 After shooting for 50years, my two forever cameras are the Linhof 617 Technorama and the Canon VT Deluxe. One for the tripod and one for walking around. Both mechanical, both a joy to use. ☕📷📷👍

[@gabvideo]

I had the Ft version in the mid 70s and remember it as a wonderful and well made camera. Half frame was a big thing in the early 60s for armatures wanting to reduce film costs and the later Olympus OM-1 benefited from the companies experience in making a full featured small slr camera. Incidentally there was a problem with having 72 exposures in that I was so impatient in seeing the results that I really used all 72 exposures if I loaded a full 36 exposure film. Although the concept of half frame photography did not last the Pen F and Ft are still considered a classic camera design.

[@jamesandcamera]

They are certainly great cameras. I have enjoyed using this one for the last 6-7years 📷

[@georgemoua7349]

Forever film camera? Pen F and the Minolta CL. Both very capable compact Super-35 and full-frame 35mm film cameras.

[@christopherjanousek7994]

I have both the Pen FT and Pen FV versions of this camera and use Nikon lenses with an adaptor. I absolutely love them - beautiful cameras both aesthetically and functionally. I also tend to shoot more in portrait orientation than landscape anyway, so the half frame format works great for me.

[@jamesandcamera]

Yeah very good cameras to use. Love having 72 frames as it allows me to shoot more images on my small budget. I dont use my EF adapter often as all my EF lenses are huge compared to the camera, but it comes in handy to have more lens choice when needed.

[@louisgordon4388]

How do you find the darker viewfinder in the FT? Does it actually make much of a difference in use?

[@VinnetouCZE]

I would also love to hear if the dim viewfinder in FT is dealbreaker and I should rather buy the FV.

[@christopherjanousek7994]

@@VinnetouCZE In my experience, I think there is some difference between the FT and FV viewfinders, but maybe not enough to justify the ~$100 greater cost of the FV for that difference alone, unless perhaps you often shoot in low light conditions.

[@AleksGutierrez]

@Christopherjanousek7994 what kind of adapter did you use? I’m trying to get one for my Pen F but I’m finding no luck looking for the right one. Are u using Nikon AI lenses???

[@mwales2112]

I've been looking at half frame Olympus cameras, but finding one without issues is and at a decent price is a challenge.

[@jamesandcamera]

Yeah it's much harder these days. The prices have gone up so much 😅

[@RichardNZ68]

Great review. Thank you.

[@etienneportail5122]

Hands down the best design in half frame. But not many know the Konica Autorex, which can switch between full anf half frame at every frame. Why are there barley any videos of the Autorex; it’s a mistery to me !

[@jamesandcamera]

🤔 cool I had never heard of that one. Sounds like a good option for those who want the flexibility.

[@wietseveen3615]

I’m using a 42mm 1.2. The 1.2 beside extra dof also gives the same brightness as the pen f or fv viewfinders. (Also recently got the 25mm 2.8. Lovely lens)

[@jamesandcamera]

I havent used the 42/1.2 yet, is it worth getting? useful enough sharpness wide open?

[@weisserth]

The Pen FT is the best of the Pen half frame cameras. Great choice!

[@jamesandcamera]

Yeah I have been very happy with it for the last 3-4 years. Only took me 5 years of trying every other film camera under the sun to finally realise it was the only one I needed. How long have you been using one?

[@weisserth]

@@jamesandcamera I never had the opportunity own an FT. I borrowed an older F model once and shot with it for a while. I settled for a Leica MP as my forever film camera in the end.

[@randallstewart175]

True, but remember that the whole Pen half frame concept for Olympus was consumer cameras, simply designed, few features, lightly built, and not really intended to last for the ages. We are now well passed the expiration date on most of those Pen cameras, so shopping for a good one to rely on now is likely to bring some pain into your life.

[@StanleyKubick1]

There's a Zuiko 20mm lens as well

[@TristanColgate]

And an 800mm!

[@vincent4696]

Hi James, Thanks for the wonderful video! I just got a Pen FT recently and I noticed on my 38mm F1.8 lens that when I set the focus (all the way) to infinity, the preview (aperture) button becomes locked and I am unable to take photos. If I slightly move it away from infinity, the preview button releases and I am able to take a shot. Has this ever happened to you? Also, is it safe to remove the lens with film inside the camera?

[@jamesandcamera]

Hi Vincent, it sounds like you unfortunately have a bad copy of the lens. I dont have that issue nd shoot landscape shots at infinity focus often. You can pick up another 38mm lens pretty cheaply since they were the most common lens for the camera. Otherwise there are plenty of other options to choose from if you want something different. As for removing the lens while film is in the camera, yes it is totally fine. There is a light proof shutter blocking the film chamber when not firing the shutter. So no light will get through and ruin the film. I often swap back and forth from my 38mm to 100mm lens on the same roll of film no problems. Welcome to the Olympus Pen club, its a great camera, once you get that lens issue sorted I am sure you will love it 😊

[@vincent4696]

@@jamesandcamera You're correct, I just checked the lens and it jams at full infinity focus. Thanks for the reply! I'm excited to see more of your content in the future!

[@randallstewart175]

Back in the early 1980s, these cameras and most of their lenses were readily available and not very expensive, as half frame format had fallen from grace at the time. I acquired an FT for its TTL metering and a variety of lenses. then I set out to use the system on a short trip. Overall, the experience was disheartening, and I discovered that half frame was too small for the types of photos I liked to make. My problem with my camera was that it originally was designed with no meter at all, so when TTL metering was added to the body, the lenses were not well adapted to its use. It uses a proprietary indexing system where your have to read a number off the meter, then transfer that number to the lens setting to fix the exposure properly - big hassle. Also, the internal meter takes so much of the already dim viewfinder light, that the whole thing gets depressing. Tip: It's a cool little camera if you want to struggle to find a good body and the now rarely found lenses and accessories. But get an earlier, meterless model. The later metered units, like the FT versions, are just shit to view and focus. After a few tries to warm up to the system, I sold it all and stopped thinking about half frame.

[@jamesandcamera]

Since you didnt like the Pens I am curious what camera you ended up with and used the most? Its a shame you didnt give the Pen more of a chance, its a $5-10 fix to brighten the viewfinder and if you learn the EV scale (exposure value scale) that is what the numbers that are on the lens and the meter refer to. Its not a common way to meter, but its certainly not propriatery 😆 If you ever want to get back into half frame with a Pen they are plentiful on the 2nd hand market and so are their lenses. I have never had trouble finding anything I needed.

[@randallstewart175]

@@jamesandcamera I went back to my Nikon system, currently using an F100. Primarily I shoot medium format, a Pentax 67 system. I currently have a half, a Oly Pen EES-2. Unhappily, its auto exposure linkage is stuck. A common problem for the mechanism used in a number of Pens. There is a YT video on how to open the front and repair, if I ever get to it. I had not heard of the mirror replacement trick, but we didn't have the internet back then either. Note that if you replace the mirror, you loose the TTL meter function, which normally reads light thru the partially transparent mirror as originally installed. If possible, acquire a non-meter model and avoid the expense and hassle of the modification to the TTL model..

[@VinnetouCZE]

@@jamesandcamera How can be the viewfinder brightened? Do they remove the lightmeter?

[@j.f.7509]

Thank you!

[@jamesandcamera]

Your welcome 😊🤙

[@TheFatPaddler]

Has anyone worked out a decent battery replacement for this? I have a Pen EE2 and would love to add a F/FT/FV to the collection but the battery issue puts me off a bit.

[@jamesandcamera]

I am not sure about the EE2, but you dont need a battery for the F/FT/FV unless you are using the internal light meter (which is not particularly accurate) The Pen FT can use a "Wein zinc-air cell PX625" instead of the old mercury battery. Read up on that more as I know it changes the meter reading a tiny bit. The easiest and cheapest option is just to download a free light meter app on your phone. Its what I use and if used correctly it is very accurate. Otherwise you can get a modern coldshoe light meter that runs of a modern sensor and battery such as the "TTArtisan Light Meter Two Dial". Hope that gives you some options to consider. I personally wouldn't trust the old light meter inside my Pen FT for critical exposure on my projects.

[@TheFatPaddler]

@@jamesandcamera thats really useful, thanks. The EE2 uses a Selenium light meter so the camera is literally 100% mechanical, not even a battery compartment! But you cant change the lens (in fact it's pretty much a full auto Point and Shoot), and I do fancy the lens capabilities of the F/FT/FV a little. Thanks for the review, really enjoyed it, and nice to see some photos of sunny Brisbane.

[@jamesandcamera]

@@TheFatPaddler Ah the good old Selenium light meters, its amazing that they still work (mostly) these days. I had a Canon Demi half frame with one before I moved over to the Pen FT. Seems like the EE2 has the same issues the Demi had. No actual critical focus ability, and no ability to use fully manual or switch lenses. They are super compact and quick to snap off shots though which has its value. I dont regret moving on to a Pen FT though, being able to get critical focus just makes the end results so much nicer.

[@TheFatPaddler]

@@jamesandcamera yeah totally. It's for snaps, not for well crafted shots. Great fun when out & about and you need to take a shot fast though. I'm currently carrying around an old 35mm SLR (Ricoh KR5) plus the EE2, so I have the option to do either.

[@nassimorousseau6914]

*HELP* hey ! I just finished my first roll on my PEN FT, and I must say, I almost cried, after around 80 shots, there was nothing on it except a few multi-exposures. I need help here, I don't know wether : 1I loaded the film incorrectly 2 my take-up spool/advance lever is broken. I'm new to the FT and I'm not sure that everything is functioning as it should, looking at it it works fine, but when I put my finger on the take-up spool while moving the lever, the spool stops moving, but the lever can continue it's movement. I don't think it's normal, i dont know if it just came loose or if something is broken, I'm okay to repair it, but I would like to make sure, wether I made a mistake or something wrong with my camera, Thanks in advance ! have a great week !

[@jamesandcamera]

Yeah, its a problem I have nearly happen to me. Mine sometimes slipps on the take up spool when loading and doesnt advance the film fully. I usually waste a few extra shots with the back open to make 100% sure the take up spool is pulling the film across well. As I shoot I also make sure to keep an eye on the rewind reel knob to make sure it is turning a bit when I advance the film. If you are sure the film was advancing and you have those multi exposures all around the roll, it could be a shutter issue. But try checking the loading first

[@housemusic325]

@@jamesandcamera It's actually not a shutter issue. On the Pen F* the take up spool is not pulling the film. But the smaller spool with sprocket on it placed before it. This spool is made of plastic and can break inside making the camera unusable because the film advance is basically dead. It's easy to check, just advance the film and try to put a little pressure on the sprocket spool. If the film stop to advance, the spool is broken. It's a common problem on the pen F* and pretty hard to fix since the part are really hard to get.

[@melm4499]

Great video! I am trying to find a video how to use this camera. How many times do you cock to get to the next frame? I heard that it doesnt really count from 1 to 72. How do you know when the film is done and how do you rewind it? Thank you in advance.

[@jamesandcamera]

Hi Mel, To answer your questions in order: 1) you just cock it once to get to the next frame. As per a normal SLR. 2) the film counter on top doesnt show every number, but does go from pre-wind to 1 to 72 so you can accurately know how many shots you have left. 3) you know when the film is complete like a normal SLR, you will go to cock the shutter and it will stop mid way because no more film is left to pull out of the canister. 4) to rewind there is a little button on the bottom of the camera push it in once and that releases the film tension. Then there is a tiny fold out crank handle on the top of the camera left of the viewfinder. Fold that handle out and start winding in the direction shown with an arrow. Once you feel the tension suddenly release and winding becomes easy your film has been wound back into the canister and can be removed by pulling up on that rewind knob. To load the camera like any other manual wind SLR, pop the back open by pulling up on the film rewind knob. Put the film canister in the left side, clip down the film rewind knob to lock it on place. Pull enough film accross to the other side sprocket. Feed the film leader into the slots in the sprocket. With the back of the camera still open cock and release the shutter on the camera a few times till you are sure the film is advancing smoothly and securely pulled by the advance sprocket. Shut the camera back, then cock and fire the camera until the film counter reaches 1. Thats all there is to it 😊

[@BeJosephThis]

Where do you find the ef adapter?

[@jamesandcamera]

I stumbled across it on ebay. I have no idea what I was searching