Hi Peter, What a pleasure to see this cute old camera. I used film photography when I was child with disposable or compact cameras...everything but beautiful cameras 😅... I have continued the photography with digital compacts, then smartphone and finally OMD... Anyway, I decided recently to try again film photography with beautiful SLR...unfortunately, I didn't find affordable and mint OM1 or Pen F 😁. I love film photography and thanks to my OMD practises, my first rolls were successfull 😁. Even if I was not used to take a lot of pictures of the same subject with digital, film makes me slow down for composition, settings and exposure but also for number of shot because each picture has a cost 😉. Moreover, I like the fact that the choice of film has a huge impact on pictures (color or bnw, ISO, white balance and so on)...it learns me a lot because we have to choose all these characteristics BEFORE shooting... Thanks again for your video.
I purchased a Pen F during lockdown a few months ago but I have not been able to get away to use it. I also revived my Olympus XA. I hope to get out soon. There is magic in film.
I'm a Vintage Photographer who doesn't own any Vintage Cameras! Enjoyed your comments that you missed being able to see your pictures when you got home which brought back a lot of old memories. Something lost and something gained with modern cameras. Thanks
I inherited my great grandather's Kodak retina because I was the photographer in the family, which lead me into the world of film photography and I have since picked up a Nikon FM2. I haven't purchased an Olympus film camera yet, but it's something I definitely have my eye on. Great video as always!
I like the idea of stopping, slowing down and thinking when you take a photo. Film photgraphy encourages more thoughtful taking of photos, but nowadays it also very troublesome - just thinking of acquiring film, developing it and the amount of time I would have to spend on it discourages me. So personally I just settle for Lumix GX9, manual mode, vintage manual focus lenses when I want an experience like that. I know, it is not exactly like shooting film, but for me is a good enough approximation. It just requires some mental training, not to click the shutter button like crazy.
jutubjestzlem, you don’t have to spend any time developing, scanning, or editing your film shots. There are many mail order labs that do everything. Of course it’s more expensive that way.
Thanks for this video about film Peter. It brought back some fond memories. In my teens I had a 35mm Contax camera and also a twin lens reflex Rolleicord. I built my own darkroom and did my own developing and printing. I used Plus-X and Tri-X film stock. That was over 50 years ago. Now I am retired I only use digital. I have all three versions of the EM1 and an original EM5. As you said, film does slow you down and think more about your shots. Shooting was simpler then as you only had a few settings you could adjust. Cameras like the EM1 mkiii are amazing in what they can achieve but because of the complexity of the menus I have trouble remembering all the settings! I’m glad there are 4 custom settings. I set one up for astrophotography, one for hi-res, one for focus stacking and one for birds in flight. Best wishes from Horsham UK.
Im considering buying one of these. The beautiful F on the front is what first drew me to it, but I've shot some half frame before and Id love to do it more.
Peter, thanks a lot for video! I think Mr Maitani would be surprise to see what most of photos on modern smartphones are made vertically, exactly like in Olympus Pen ;) I used to do a lot of B&W , had darkroom and all the stuff. It was interesting, challenging and very special. I think you missed one, not quite obvious difference between digital and analog photography. As soon as you finished post processing your digital photo, if you have good printer, you can replicate - print your photo in identical way, as many times as you like. In traditional B&W , every hand made print is absolutely unique, doesn’t matter how excellent your timing, temperature, they will be unique, especially if you have to do some dodging/burning or other “analog photoshopping”. So in some case, real hand made B&W has this notion of uniqueness , there are no “copy” ;) Of course, it has nothing to to with how good or bad or artistically interesting they are. It is just inherited difference.
Found my dad’s Cosina CS3 film slr and found it very fun to use. Due to high cost of buying film and prints in London, bought an X-T20 last year. Still using the slr, but now choosing my subjects more wisely
Nice video Peter. The last time I actually used a film camera was in 2018, my Rolleiflex 4x4 TLR using 127 film and my Rollei 35 SE with 35mm film. Like the Pen F, the Rolleiflex has no light meter but it has the sunny 16 table printed on the back of the camera. The 35 SE has a meter but is scale focusing only. Both cameras are rewarding to use but they need lots of time and thought to operate.
If it is too loud - switch to an Olympus XA. I wondered if one can adapt F lenses to M 4/3? Being two years older than Olympus F cameras I started shooting film and I am still using film as my main medium because of all you mentioned and some more. Great video, thanks!
I have the digital PenF and I would love to have a film one. Olympus were obviously pushing the boundaries even then. I haven't used film in many years. I think my Pen F is my most fun camera.
Good video Peter. When I went mirrorless I started grabbing vintage lenses-mostly canon FD. On a whim I just picked up a couple of FD bodies to shoot some film. It was very fun and satisfying. Definitely an activity to develop skills. I think I paid $20 for the body.
I started with film many years ago; I owned an Argus C-3 then graduated to an Olympus OM-1; I still have 3 OM-1s; 2 Om-10s ; I haven't used them in quite a while but this video has encouraged me to take them out of mothballs and give them a go. I will let you know the results. Thank you for the encouragement.
WOW 20 years, Peter. Get screw on round button fit on the trigger release hole. makes it higher, did you know that Ilford xp2super can still developed with black standard it 1/100 ratio the hard part is if you haven't got a JOBO rotoary, need to agitating for about hour. but Im pretty sure you can even stand develop it to they come out purple looking but with a scanner at grey scale so it fine. i have so many camera and lens NikonF4e Olympus om1 om10 35trip Fuji half frame med Mamiyas 645 Ricoh Exida Carl zesiss Exa super Paxetter Zenith with gun mount Pentax super canonftb
I remember the first time I saw the Pen F was in a camera store window display in Okinawa in 1966. I was amazed that it was a complete system camera with many lens choices and the form factor was so small. I almost bought into it. But at the time I was already invested in the Nikon F so I didn't. Now i wish I had bought it as a second camera.
I started with a Nikon FM2 and switch to the F3. Also used a Nikonos Mark 5 for underwater photography. My first digital camera was the Canon G-10. My first Olympus digital camera was the EPL-5. I am presently using the EM-5 Mark II. I totally agree that when you shoot film you tend to take more time with each shot. For me its because i have to take more care with my exposure and composition as the number of shots per roll of film is very limited and post production is almost non-existant unless you have a darkroom.
Greetings from Southern Indiana, USA! I'm surprised you didn't say the F in Pen F stands for Forsgard! Well, I guess you can since you bought it -- it can stand for anything you want. It's yours! When I was looking for a more serious camera - SLR, I was looking at the Olympus. Problem was the half-frame. I had been developing my own 35mm negatives and making contact sheets. It was bad enough looking at those sheets with a magnifying glass. To think of that with half-frame! And I worried about enlargements, since I did tend to crop a good amount (still do!). But Olympus had a good reputation with the Pen F. So today, many years later,, when I wanted to go to something lighter, I knew Olympus was a good company that made quality. I now have Olympus MFT.
OM2s and XA back in the day. Developing B&W film and printing it has helped bring the “magic” back into photography for me. Film also brings a sense of permanence into photography. I recently printed an image from a negative that my grandfather exposed in the early 50’s; that was magical.
Dear Peter Fosgard, your video made me nostalgic. My father bought his first Pen FT in 1968. We had initially Zuiko 40mm f1.4 and 50-90mm f3.5 zoom lenses. I started taking photo with those in1972 when I was student of standard 4. I started developing & printing before I finished high school. That was a totally different ball game. We later had a 2nd Pen FT body even after switching to full frame OM series OM-1 to OM-4 and many lenses, mostly primes. I still use some of those OM Zuiko primes on my OM-D cameras. One small thing I would disagree with you. When using colour slide films we had very little latitude of only +/- 0.5 EV. So we had to expose very perfectly that is not a must using digital, specially shooting in RAW. Even colour negative films also had much wider latitude.
I started in 1976 with a Zenit E with the now famous 56mm Helios, in 1980 I moved onto Pentax (MX) and started started working in a large commercial photographic study. There I started to work with 5x4 / 10x8 Sinars, Hasselblad 501cm / ELMs. Today I still have and used my Olympus Trip, Canon EOS1, Canon AT-1, Canon EOS 600, Lubitel 166b. I'm also shooting M43 (E-P1) APS-C and full frame Canon (5d), APS-C in Fujifilm, all with native and vintage lenses. Basically I enjoy experimentation with cameras.
My first two cameras where an OM10 then an OM30 before moving onto an EOS50E. Had a Powershot G3 but started getting back into photography after getting an OMD EM5 MkII a month ago. I love the retro look of the OMD.
I love half frames so much, currently have the pen ee2 which definitely doesn't get enough use. Having 72 photos per roll is such a luxury coming from shooting medium format
I have a Nikon F5 that has a part used roll of Fuji Velvia in it. Abandoned since 2006, it was the year I made the total transition to digital photography.
Still a great camera. I use my Pen FT all the time. I think that 38mm lens is very special: sharp and unique look to the pictures. The shutter is a little loud but really about the same as a lot of SLRs of that era. I like the sound myself. Film photography is rewarding and fun and the minimum features of the camera keeps one's attention on the photograph instead of gadgetry. Just my opinion, of course. Good job on the video!
I just bought a Pen EE -3 , but it's coming from Japan. I'm looking into the original Pen F as well. I do collect vintage cameras and lenses .But I usually collect a bunch and then go to Seattle to a camera shop and trade for new and used Fuji equipment. I just got an XT3 , a 16mm F1.4 and a 56mm F1.2 lenses that way and didn't have to spend a dime ! Film is just getting too expensive these days, but I haven't completely given up yet ! I really do like the idea of the half frame cameras a lot and after watching your video a few times and a few others, I decided to take the plunge ! Thanks for your very informative and thought provoking videos. Larry McCormick
I started with film and if I'm honest still shoot like I'm using film. One shot at a time no spray and pray shooting here. Probably why I never have any issues with running out of battery power or SD cards lol. I think the faster way of shooting now is just a part of the times we live in. Everything is faster, louder and more full on than in years before. Everything seems to be running on a tight schedule nowadays with businesses expecting x amount of work done in x amount of time. People are expected to be connected and ready to answer any messages at any time, anywhere. Everything is running fast.
I learned on film starting in 1958. Waltz Envoy, Pentax, Leica M, RB67, Calumet 4x5, Zone 6 4x5, Nikon D200, 40, 700, D3. 750 800. Leica M8, M9 M10. Nikon F2 No doubt limited film exposures makes one think and do better with digital. Good news is gas is gone. Leica M digital beats the pants off all of them.
I have been a vintage camera collector / shooter for a long time. I own many Olympus film cameras, mostly from the OM line. I do own one Olympus half frame SLR, the Pen-FT. It's an amazing little camera. I only shoot 3 or 4 rolls of film every year, but your video inspired me to take the G.Zuiko Auto-S 40mm f/1.4 lens off of that camera and mount it to my E-M10 Mark II and go shooting today. It is the one vintage lens I own that really feels "right" on my Olympus micro 4/3 body. I would love to see some more videos about Olympus film cameras in your channel. Thank you for this excellent installment.
I still do filmphotography with different cameras. Mostly with a medium-format camera due to all the details and informations a (medium)film is able to capture (what a sensor is not able to due to physics). I just love it and its not that expensive so far. Thing is... peeps look at me all the time due to this big medium-format camera and the shutter-sound :D
Thanks for the video Peter. I started serious photography back in the days of 35mm film, using OM10 and the Nikon EM,. Last year I started shooting film again as a personal challenge.
Shooting 2020 pictures with a 1964-camera blows my mind - when you think about it. A 1964-shooter would have had to imagine time traveling. And today we can make this real. Crazy - isn''t it?
Really, if you choose to shoot film with, say an OM1, you will rapidly realise how much more skill was required in film days. No mega number of shots seeking to ensure you had a keeper & until relatively late in film days, much of it was slide film rated at, say, 64 ISO.
I grew up shooting film -- 35mm and Super 8 -- started with a 1965 Nikon F. I love my digital mirrorless (Panasonic G85) -- but I love film also. I agree -- photography is capturing an image -- regardless of the gear and technology. But the gear affects how the image is captured -- digital enables a lot of things that most film cameras cannot, but the limitations of film cameras then "exercise" parts of your brain to make up for those limitations. So both are great ways to capture images. I currently have about *300* vintage cameras and at least as many lenses -- 35mm, medium format, 8mm and Super 8. Way too many to use -- I am a bit addicted to collecting unique models, and trying to get working models -- so if I get one that is not working, I try to get another of the same model, and so on, until I get a working one! I need to offload a bunch at this point -- and put up a *LOT* of shelves to display the ones that I keep. Thank you Peter!!! Enjoy that beautiful weather!
Täytyypi kaivaa vanha kunnon Olympus OM-2 komeron perukoilta :) Kyseinen kamera opetti aikoinaan kuvauksen perusteet, joutui tosiaan vähän miettimään ennenkuin painoi liipasinta. Tiedätkö huoltaako joku liike Helsingissä filmikameroita? En äkkiseltään googlesta löytänyt.
My 1973 OM1 was my first camera, but I found a new Pen FT the following years, and added a mint Pen FV about the same time as I bought an OM2, and built up both outfit until I had half a dozen Pen lenses. They were beautiful little devices, but I shot mainly for slide presentation, for which they never quite matched the quality of my OM, and later also Nikon images, so I sold the lot, and later also my final OM, the 4Ti (to switch to Nikon, because aging eyes needed AF). I regret both decisions and have since purchased and had reconditioned an OM4Ti, which I still haven't used. Must try, soon.
Thanks for the review of the famous PEN F. I've started to use my Canon EOS 500 (no D 😉) again. My first camera, an Agfa Silette LK sensor needs a helping hand first, as the shutter has come to age.
I thought about buying a "real" Pen F(T), but I prefer my Pen F Digital. I startet with film (late 80s), and still shoot mostly film. Most of my vintage cameras are 6x6 and 6x9 folding cameras, and 35 mm is by now solely Leica M6 and IIIf (they suit me best). Regarding the XP2 - you could've easily shot this film at ISO 200, 100 or even 50 with good results (best at 200), just don't worry. The Ektar 100 should be exposed at ISO 100, but Portra 400 or especially 800 can be heavily over-exposed (I once had +8 stops over-exposure by accident, and the negative was at least usable, even though very hard to scan). This is what I *love* about (color negative) film - no problems with burned-out highlights! (Not true for color slide film, which is very finicky with correct exposure.)
The first 35mm camera I bought was a Mamiya Auto-Lux 35 a fixed lens SLR I should try it again it seems to work ok. About a year ago I bought a OM1n it makes you think about each shot more for a start it's fully manual and the cost of each shot is in your mind, although i've not used it yet I have just bought a PEN f with the same lens as yours. It was quite an expensive camera when newI have a catalogue from 1965 they were £75.00 with that lens
Wow! I had no idea of the technical and engineering innovations in the Pen F series of cameras -- that is awesome. And your images were amazing -- especially for a camera almost as old as I am (born in 1963). But I can see why the Pen F cameras demand good prices even at this time.
What a great video, Peter!!! I have numerous Zeiss film cameras, just about to the point that there are too many to count. My first was a Contaflex Super B with just about all the lenses & accessories that were made for it. It worked until about a year ago when the curtain froze up. I'm currently shooting with my SL706 with the M42 mount so I can use my Pentax glass with it. Beautiful machine & the meter is still spot on. My working medium format camera from Zeiss is a 531/2 Super Ikonta 6x9. It's another great one, but the shutter is starting to slow down. I'll be changing over to my Mamiya M645 1000s system camera while I'm waiting to get time to fix the Ikonta. Also have an Adox Sport folding camera that I plan on using in the next day or two. Just purchased several fairly fresh, frozen rolls of Adox 120 to put through it. Can't wait!! As for the film vs digital controversy..... there's a difference. To me it's like a home cooked meal vs fast food & I'll enjoy the former any day. I do have a digital. It's a Kodak S-1 MFT camera. It does good for what it is. Cheap. It's the camera that has locked me into Oly when I want to upgrade. The only other digital I have my eyes on is a Fuji GFX50R. My money would go to Oly if they had medium format digital cameras. Regards, Peter!! I look forward to your next video, especially if you make another on on film.
Great video Peter about a great camera. I myself use Olympus Pen S, Pen EE-2, XA and XA4, Olympus 2Spot/Program and Olympus E510 and E520 with assorted lenses and Digital Pen EP1, EPl5, EPl7 and EPl9. So i am what you can call an Olympus Aficionado! Since 1974 with OM1. and yeah film Pen camera is fun, and i use to make Pen-o-rama in 3 or 5 pictures with the Pen S. So thank you and continue with what your doing next........
I started out shooting film cameras, that was all there was in the 1960s. I have shot from 8x10 view cameras, down to 16mm Minox cameras. I had a Pen F FT in the late 1960s, which I used as a personal camera, doing street photography. I used Nikon F and Graflex XL cameras for work, still have a Graflex XL, as well as ROLLEI 6000 SLR cameras. I got to use one of the first Kodak/Nikon digital cameras, but still preferred film in the 1990s. I now own the digital Pen F camera and have had it since it was released. I used a Nikon Z6, and had the smaller Nikon V1 system, but have gone back to my Pen F for most of my current photography. I have been thinking about getting another film PenF FV camera. Thanks Peter for your thoughts on this subject. Cheers
Lovely review of a lovely camera, I have very fond memories of these half-frame cameras. Film is still beautiful - sometimes has more "character" than digital. And large format film is still gorgeous in terms resolution of saturation.
I started out with SLRs in high school with a Miranda. I later bought ther OM1n, followed, after a canoeing accident, with the OM2n. In the last few years, I've added ther OM4, a Pen FT, a couple Olympus range finders, the latest being the 35 RC, which is amazingly small. I also bought fixed lens 6x6 mf cameras. Including the ANSCO Super Speedex, which is also amazing! Last, I bought some spacers so I can use my mother's Brownie Model B (?) from the 1930s with 120 film. They're fun to play with, but if I want to shoot travel or events, it's back to my EM1ii! Thanks for the great review!
Hi Peter! I'm thinking about buying a 35mm half frame Pen, either F or FT. I already own a bunch of zuiko glasses for my film OM-1. Any experience in using those lenses with a half frame srl?
I started on photography with a digital camera (Sony alpha 100), but with time I started to listen people talking about film, so I tried.... I learned a lot more shooting with film than what I had with digital! So now I own three 35mm film cameras that I use often: a Rolleiflex SL35, a Zenit 3M (both SLR´S) and a Fed2 (rangefinder), I also have two medium format film cameras: a Zeiss Ikon Nettar (6x6) and a Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta (6x4.5). I use all of my film cameras regularly, I shoot almost always Black & White, so I develop myself (usually the half stand method with Rodinal). I love film, my main cameras are digital of course, but I alwys try to carry one film camera with me for a shot or two.
Hey Peter, lots of fun to use film. Ive just bought new batteries for my old film camera from around 1998. A Nikon a 70D ( I think) - Its got a great lens. I’ll let you know how I go. Love to know more about the different kinds of film avaiable today.
Wonderful how you can load up an early 60's camera and she purrs like a kitten. What I miss most about the non-digital era is when new camera models were introduced the changes weren't as numerous and extreme.But even better the older models weren't pushed back into a state obsolescence. They were every bit as useful as the later model with perhaps just one less whistle, or two.
I still have a large assortment of my analogue Nikons, Pinhole Cameras, toy cameras et.al. It's funny how all things are relative. I used to use my pinhole cameras to "slow me down" from my hurried 35mm shooting. What I've come to discover and practice is the art if self-discipline. I shoot strictly digital now and after a beginning few years of rapid, careless and thoughtless shooting i knew it was time to take stock of the situation. With my digital PenF I shoot strictly in mono mode with a #2 grain selection and a filter setting at yellow. I worked hard on establishing a film or analogue "mind set" whereby I kept telling my self to take my time. "Take your time or you'll NEVER get better". I guess what I'm trying to say is shooting film or digital doesn't have to be different as far as discipline goes. If, in fact, film forces you to take your time, then you must mentally take over and "force yourself" to take your time. Digital or otherwise.
I was given a Yashicaflex 635 which was an interesting TLR camera as it had a adaptor to load 35mm film in place of the normal 120. I only ever put one film through it and never used the 35mm adaptor. It was a unique camera in its day. I still have it.
Thanks for the video Peter, I bought same camera but still haven't used it yet, so what if the iso of the film is 800, like Kodak Portra for example, the limit is 500. And sorry to say this but the results are questionable! :D like for example photo 7:47, there is blue/green spot in the middle on the trees the same on the 7:42 ? So far from what I saw this camera performs the best with black and white film
Hi Peter, I have the Olympus pen EF the last version of the half frame system I enjoy shooting with it. The only thing I’m encountering with this film style is that where I live here in the states, labs will develop the negatives but won’t print, I have tried to scan but no luck in getting nice images out of the scans. Any advice you that can help please advise. Your Channel is great. I have been shooting with Olympus pen system on the digital side for 6yrs now. Take care and happy photography
Hope you don't mind my responding to your part of the post pertaining to a lack of stores that print. The first place I thought of for developing & printing is The Dark Room in California. Another option is Allied Digital Photo just a few miles south of me, here in Wisconsin. You may also want to check out the Lomography website & search their forum for ideas. There are still plenty of places out there that print. There are a few small timers that still enlarge to photographic paper, but they're getting hard to find. Most folks that want to go that extra mile enlarge at home, like myself. If I scan negs, my scanner is a Canon 9000F II. It's not top of the line, but it does a great job. Also look for the Betterscanning website for holder options to better your results. Regards & good luck on your search!!
I recently inherited one of these (first generation), I have a question with the lens: its a 38mm zuiko auto-s 1:2,8. When I close the diaph, it doesnt seem to move inside the lens. Diaph will only show his "real" aperture when I press the small "depth of field" button. Otherwise, it would be stock on his max aperture, even if I move the aperture ring. Is it normal? Or should I have the lens cleaned? Thanks you! :-)
My first serious camera was a Nikon FE (circa 1977). That and a handful of lenses were my go-to kit for almost 3 decades until I traded everything in for an Olympus E-300 digital in 2004. I’m sorry I didn’t keep my film equipment now. Not that I’m not thoroughly enjoying digital photography but it would’ve been nice to go back to film occasionally.
Another interesting and informative video, Peter. Now I want to get my hands on a Pen-F film camera, but that’s probably an unattainable dream! And after all, I’m perfectly satisfied with my Pen-F MFT, which is really fun to shoot with.
There's many on Ebay, usually from Japan, but not always. A lot of lens choices too. I've got a Pen EE-3 coming from Japan right now. I like the Pen EE-3 because its basically a point and shoot with the selenium cell meter around the lens. Its smaller than the F and really a nice, simple camera. But I'm also looking into an F for the beauty of it and the manual capabilities which I also like as well
Some food for thought: In the world of fine art photography (and I'm talking here about the likes of Nan Goldin, not Peter Lik), the process of creation is part of what makes the art piece. Contemporary art pieces frequently refer to their own construction, and for this reason, shooting on film can make a difference to what the work means and what it represents. So yes, at a superficial level (and probably in the overwhelming majority of exhibited photographs), the medium is irrelevant; however, in some pieces, it's part of what makes it a piece of art.
Peter I have to disagree to an extent that film is the same as digital, especially black and white. Perhaps in the most general term in that both produce images, but the execution is very different. But I do agree you have to slow down and think... I use both mediums using mostly Olympus cameras (OMD - Pen F Digital, Om1, OM2, OM3, Practika and Pentax Spotmatic). First digital has a much higher dynamic range, its much more flexible, you can shoot different ISO's while in film you cannot/should change ISO in the same roll (unless you use it was a way for exposure compensation) . Digital images are much sharper. Most film cameras have center weighted light metering (some don't have meters or need an external one) and that makes it challenging to shoot in high contrast scenes. the Om3 and Om4 introduced multipoint spot metering...which was a fantastic innovation and overcame the limitation of center weighted light meters. These cameras also allowed you choose areas that would correspond to zone 0 (shadow) and zone 10 (highlight). Then there is a choice of films ...there is a big difference in film emulsions - even with the same ISO rating (Tri-X and JCH400 are significantly different). TMax 100 and Foma 100, Agfa APX behave differently. With digital you can simulate different films in post. Then developer - film combination also is very significant, especially if you scan the negative as I do, because scanning exaggerates grain. Also not all films lend itself to scanning - the best ones have clear/transluscent bases (for example Rollei RPX, 80s and TMax are very good). Scanning a negative as opposed to a print also is different. Then the choice of scanners also impact the quality of the image. With film you also have the option of using filters - with digital you don't need filters because you can apply them at post. Again once you use a filter in film - that's it - you cannot undo the effects. I haven't done much color recently but pretty much the same applies - except you don't have as much choice in developers. With slide film correct exposure is critical. So film is very different and requires a good understanding of the interplay of all factors that produces a final negative and printed image. However, I agree with you whole heartedly that one is not better than the other or that a film photographer is somehow better than a digital photographer. Both are rewarding, both are are different and we should celebrate the choice we have, although perhaps having experience in film makes you more sensitive to issues of lighting which an only help you.
The pen f was around when I was looking for my first camera. I looked at it, but I decided for a "full-frame" model. Maybe my biggest mistake at the time.
Very interesting Peter. I still have my OM 1, plus a few lenses. A beautiful camera, although I haven’t used it for twenty years. I’m tempted to get it out again, but because of the convenience I’m sure I’ll stick to the digital version. So much better for bird photography. Cheers, David
I think shooting with film cameras will improve your photography and for beginners, it will teach them how to use a camera with the right aperture, exposure etc. Every beginner should start with film cameras in my opinion. I don't like taking too many pictures like the most people like "there will be a good one of this 20 shots or more from a subject."
wow, this pictures have an special look and feeling, that cannot be replicated digitally.It makes me want to use my OM1 again, but it is too expensive.
Digitizing film make a different thing than traditional positive process. But if you shoot positive film one can use optical projector for viewing. It's very interesting experiment to assess the difference in quality of imaging when you can't apply digital image processing. The film cameras of the past suffer such well know issue as focal plane justification. That's why SLR was huge progress from rangefinder cameras. But SLR also have justification issues when image sharp in viewfinder are actually not perfect focused on the film. Modern AI software like Topaz allows to fix small lousiness in justification (it also strongly depend on F number and DoF) and make very sharp images from scanned films. But if you assess fully analog end-to-end process you'll be disappointed. Only top cameras like Nikon F3, F4 had been preciously justified. It was very substantial addition to the cost indeed.
I have the PEN EE but the lens is now wobbly so I don't use anymore. Waiting for summer light to use my TRIP 35 - that is a very sharp lens/camera and it is simple, would have been inexpensive in its day. I have several SLRs, the one I bought new when I got my first job is the Minolta X-700. And several zoom lenses. I think for 2020, shooting an SLR is too complicated, too involved. A point and shoot like the TRIP 35 allows you to focus on the content and composition, not on the technical details.
i have the pen ee2. boguht it before 2 years because i want to become a collector of olympus cameras, my target is the OM2SP and the OM40 form the film camera, right now i have the OM1 and OM4, would be happy if i got the OM3Ti.
I still have a functioning OM1 + 1.8 lens. It captured many excellent images. However, tbh, the time for taking film images is really a thing of the past.
I like that Pen F, such a great camera, Olympus innovation :-). It was a fun video. But would I use film today, no way. I grew up with film and it was a pain to say the least. Digital is freedom :-)
So I bought an Pen F first generation. Was a great fault. Because: it was a special model - only made for medical purpose (named "FIT" for endoscopy) with only one lens possible - a microscope one. I didn`t know this when I bought it- then I researched at internet. Found an "Olympus doctor" in Hamburg. He buys this model from me for spare parts. He offered a normal Pen FT - refurbished. So this is the end of the story: my cluelessness let me spent some money for nothing - but at last it came to a happy end.
Sorry, but using a mirror less camera not only means to have an immediate feedback after shooting BUT you also have much more information BEFORE shooting: histogram, over/under-expose warning, different metering modes etc. etc. I do not mention preview jpeg view at all! And last but not least the storage card opens a sort of gambling you nevet ever will do with film, even if you will have 10 or 30 rolls in your backbag... I recently bought a Canon FD 50mm 1.4 S,S,C.and used it on my EM10 and was seduced to think of buying also a film camera...
Using Vintage lenses is a lot of fun. Vintage Lenses - 👉[4 things WHY you SHOULD try them] ruclips.net/video/svgZZKEjgI4/видео.html
Hi Peter,
What a pleasure to see this cute old camera.
I used film photography when I was child with disposable or compact cameras...everything but beautiful cameras 😅...
I have continued the photography with digital compacts, then smartphone and finally OMD...
Anyway, I decided recently to try again film photography with beautiful SLR...unfortunately, I didn't find affordable and mint OM1 or Pen F 😁.
I love film photography and thanks to my OMD practises, my first rolls were successfull 😁.
Even if I was not used to take a lot of pictures of the same subject with digital, film makes me slow down for composition, settings and exposure but also for number of shot because each picture has a cost 😉.
Moreover, I like the fact that the choice of film has a huge impact on pictures (color or bnw, ISO, white balance and so on)...it learns me a lot because we have to choose all these characteristics BEFORE shooting...
Thanks again for your video.
Thanks for sharing!
I purchased a Pen F during lockdown a few months ago but I have not been able to get away to use it. I also revived my Olympus XA. I hope to get out soon. There is magic in film.
I'm a Vintage Photographer who doesn't own any Vintage Cameras! Enjoyed your comments that you missed being able to see your pictures when you got home which brought back a lot of old memories. Something lost and something gained with modern cameras. Thanks
I inherited my great grandather's Kodak retina because I was the photographer in the family, which lead me into the world of film photography and I have since picked up a Nikon FM2. I haven't purchased an Olympus film camera yet, but it's something I definitely have my eye on. Great video as always!
Thank you.
I like the idea of stopping, slowing down and thinking when you take a photo. Film photgraphy encourages more thoughtful taking of photos, but nowadays it also very troublesome - just thinking of acquiring film, developing it and the amount of time I would have to spend on it discourages me.
So personally I just settle for Lumix GX9, manual mode, vintage manual focus lenses when I want an experience like that. I know, it is not exactly like shooting film, but for me is a good enough approximation. It just requires some mental training, not to click the shutter button like crazy.
Using your G9 like that is wise. It is the same thing as using film, but a lot more convinient.
jutubjestzlem, you don’t have to spend any time developing, scanning, or editing your film shots. There are many mail order labs that do everything. Of course it’s more expensive that way.
Thanks for this video about film Peter. It brought back some fond memories. In my teens I had a 35mm Contax camera and also a twin lens reflex Rolleicord. I built my own darkroom and did my own developing and printing. I used Plus-X and Tri-X film stock. That was over 50 years ago. Now I am retired I only use digital. I have all three versions of the EM1 and an original EM5.
As you said, film does slow you down and think more about your shots. Shooting was simpler then as you only had a few settings you could adjust. Cameras like the EM1 mkiii are amazing in what they can achieve but because of the complexity of the menus I have trouble remembering all the settings! I’m glad there are 4 custom settings. I set one up for astrophotography, one for hi-res, one for focus stacking and one for birds in flight. Best wishes from Horsham UK.
Glad to hear.
Im considering buying one of these. The beautiful F on the front is what first drew me to it, but I've shot some half frame before and Id love to do it more.
Nice images, Peter! My first Olympus was the XA - the first full frame pocket camera!
Peter, thanks a lot for video! I think Mr Maitani would be surprise to see what most of photos on modern smartphones are made vertically, exactly like in Olympus Pen ;) I used to do a lot of B&W , had darkroom and all the stuff. It was interesting, challenging and very special. I think you missed one, not quite obvious difference between digital and analog photography. As soon as you finished post processing your digital photo, if you have good printer, you can replicate - print your photo in identical way, as many times as you like. In traditional B&W , every hand made print is absolutely unique, doesn’t matter how excellent your timing, temperature, they will be unique, especially if you have to do some dodging/burning or other “analog photoshopping”. So in some case, real hand made B&W has this notion of uniqueness , there are no “copy” ;) Of course, it has nothing to to with how good or bad or artistically interesting they are. It is just inherited difference.
So true about the vertical photos and smartphones.
Found my dad’s Cosina CS3 film slr and found it very fun to use. Due to high cost of buying film and prints in London, bought an X-T20 last year. Still using the slr, but now choosing my subjects more wisely
Nice video Peter. The last time I actually used a film camera was in 2018, my Rolleiflex 4x4 TLR using 127 film and my Rollei 35 SE with 35mm film. Like the Pen F, the Rolleiflex has no light meter but it has the sunny 16 table printed on the back of the camera. The 35 SE has a meter but is scale focusing only. Both cameras are rewarding to use but they need lots of time and thought to operate.
Yes those cameras will slow you down.
If it is too loud - switch to an Olympus XA. I wondered if one can adapt F lenses to M 4/3? Being two years older than Olympus F cameras I started shooting film and I am still using film as my main medium because of all you mentioned and some more. Great video, thanks!
Yes, there is an adapter for F > m4/3.
@@ForsgardPeter Thanks a lot for letting me know!
I have the digital PenF and I would love to have a film one. Olympus were obviously pushing the boundaries even then. I haven't used film in many years. I think my Pen F is my most fun camera.
Thanks again for interesting video. My first camera was Petri 7s back in 60's.
Good video Peter. When I went mirrorless I started grabbing vintage lenses-mostly canon FD. On a whim I just picked up a couple of FD bodies to shoot some film. It was very fun and satisfying. Definitely an activity to develop skills. I think I paid $20 for the body.
I started with film many years ago; I owned an Argus C-3 then graduated to an Olympus OM-1; I still have 3 OM-1s; 2 Om-10s ; I haven't used them in quite a while but this video has encouraged me to take them out of mothballs and give them a go. I will let you know the results. Thank you for the encouragement.
WOW 20 years, Peter. Get screw on round button fit on the trigger release hole. makes it higher, did you know that Ilford xp2super can still developed with black standard it 1/100 ratio the hard part is if you haven't got a JOBO rotoary, need to agitating for about hour. but Im pretty sure you can even stand develop it to they come out purple looking but with a scanner at grey scale so it fine.
i have so many camera and lens NikonF4e Olympus om1 om10 35trip Fuji half frame med Mamiyas 645 Ricoh Exida Carl zesiss Exa super Paxetter Zenith with gun mount Pentax super canonftb
I remember the first time I saw the Pen F was in a camera store window display in Okinawa in 1966. I was amazed that it was a complete system camera with many lens choices and the form factor was so small. I almost bought into it. But at the time I was already invested in the Nikon F so I didn't. Now i wish I had bought it as a second camera.
I started with a Nikon FM2 and switch to the F3. Also used a Nikonos Mark 5 for underwater photography. My first digital camera was the Canon G-10. My first Olympus digital camera was the EPL-5. I am presently using the EM-5 Mark II. I totally agree that when you shoot film you tend to take more time with each shot. For me its because i have to take more care with my exposure and composition as the number of shots per roll of film is very limited and post production is almost non-existant unless you have a darkroom.
Greetings from Southern Indiana, USA! I'm surprised you didn't say the F in Pen F stands for Forsgard! Well, I guess you can since you bought it -- it can stand for anything you want. It's yours!
When I was looking for a more serious camera - SLR, I was looking at the Olympus. Problem was the half-frame. I had been developing my own 35mm negatives and making contact sheets. It was bad enough looking at those sheets with a magnifying glass. To think of that with half-frame! And I worried about enlargements, since I did tend to crop a good amount (still do!). But Olympus had a good reputation with the Pen F. So today, many years later,, when I wanted to go to something lighter, I knew Olympus was a good company that made quality. I now have Olympus MFT.
Thanks for sharing. I have used the beautiful F in my name in one of my videos way back when I made a video about the digital version of Pen-F.
Fascinating camera and good review Peter.
72 shots would also last me a long time, I actually prefer 24 frame film rolls. I use a Nikon F3.
OM2s and XA back in the day. Developing B&W film and printing it has helped bring the “magic” back into photography for me. Film also brings a sense of permanence into photography. I recently printed an image from a negative that my grandfather exposed in the early 50’s; that was magical.
Dear Peter Fosgard, your video made me nostalgic. My father bought his first Pen FT in 1968. We had initially Zuiko 40mm f1.4 and 50-90mm f3.5 zoom lenses. I started taking photo with those in1972 when I was student of standard 4. I started developing & printing before I finished high school. That was a totally different ball game. We later had a 2nd Pen FT body even after switching to full frame OM series OM-1 to OM-4 and many lenses, mostly primes. I still use some of those OM Zuiko primes on my OM-D cameras.
One small thing I would disagree with you. When using colour slide films we had very little latitude of only +/- 0.5 EV. So we had to expose very perfectly that is not a must using digital, specially shooting in RAW. Even colour negative films also had much wider latitude.
Thank you for sharing your memories.
Peter my first camera that I purchased was a Pen FT. My mistake was to trade it in for a OM 1. Thanks for the review.
I was looking for Pen FT also from eBay. It has a light meter and that was the biggest difference from F.
I started in 1976 with a Zenit E with the now famous 56mm Helios, in 1980 I moved onto Pentax (MX) and started started working in a large commercial photographic study. There I started to work with 5x4 / 10x8 Sinars, Hasselblad 501cm / ELMs.
Today I still have and used my Olympus Trip, Canon EOS1, Canon AT-1, Canon EOS 600, Lubitel 166b.
I'm also shooting M43 (E-P1) APS-C and full frame Canon (5d), APS-C in Fujifilm, all with native and vintage lenses.
Basically I enjoy experimentation with cameras.
My first two cameras where an OM10 then an OM30 before moving onto an EOS50E.
Had a Powershot G3 but started getting back into photography after getting an OMD EM5 MkII a month ago.
I love the retro look of the OMD.
I love half frames so much, currently have the pen ee2 which definitely doesn't get enough use. Having 72 photos per roll is such a luxury coming from shooting medium format
I have a Nikon F5 that has a part used roll of Fuji Velvia in it. Abandoned since 2006, it was the year I made the total transition to digital photography.
Still a great camera. I use my Pen FT all the time. I think that 38mm lens is very special: sharp and unique look to the pictures. The shutter is a little loud but really about the same as a lot of SLRs of that era. I like the sound myself.
Film photography is rewarding and fun and the minimum features of the camera keeps one's attention on the photograph instead of gadgetry. Just my opinion, of course.
Good job on the video!
Thank you and thanks for sharing your opinion about the 38mm lens. FT is the one that has a light meter.
I just bought a Pen EE -3 , but it's coming from Japan. I'm looking into the original Pen F as well. I do collect vintage cameras and lenses .But I usually collect a bunch and then go to Seattle to a camera shop and trade for new and used Fuji equipment. I just got an XT3 , a 16mm F1.4 and a 56mm F1.2 lenses that way and didn't have to spend a dime !
Film is just getting too expensive these days, but I haven't completely given up yet ! I really do like the idea of the half frame cameras a lot and after watching your video a few times and a few others, I decided to take the plunge !
Thanks for your very informative and thought provoking videos.
Larry McCormick
I started with film and if I'm honest still shoot like I'm using film. One shot at a time no spray and pray shooting here. Probably why I never have any issues with running out of battery power or SD cards lol.
I think the faster way of shooting now is just a part of the times we live in. Everything is faster, louder and more full on than in years before. Everything seems to be running on a tight schedule nowadays with businesses expecting x amount of work done in x amount of time. People are expected to be connected and ready to answer any messages at any time, anywhere. Everything is running fast.
I learned on film starting in 1958. Waltz Envoy, Pentax, Leica M, RB67, Calumet 4x5, Zone 6 4x5, Nikon D200, 40, 700, D3. 750 800. Leica M8, M9 M10. Nikon F2 No doubt limited film exposures makes one think and do better with digital.
Good news is gas is gone. Leica M digital beats the pants off all of them.
I have been a vintage camera collector / shooter for a long time. I own many Olympus film cameras, mostly from the OM line. I do own one Olympus half frame SLR, the Pen-FT. It's an amazing little camera. I only shoot 3 or 4 rolls of film every year, but your video inspired me to take the G.Zuiko Auto-S 40mm f/1.4 lens off of that camera and mount it to my E-M10 Mark II and go shooting today. It is the one vintage lens I own that really feels "right" on my Olympus micro 4/3 body. I would love to see some more videos about Olympus film cameras in your channel. Thank you for this excellent installment.
Thanks for sharing. I might do some more videos about vintage Olympus cameras.
I still do filmphotography with different cameras. Mostly with a medium-format camera due to all the details and informations a (medium)film is able to capture (what a sensor is not able to due to physics). I just love it and its not that expensive so far. Thing is... peeps look at me all the time due to this big medium-format camera and the shutter-sound :D
Thanks for the video Peter. I started serious photography back in the days of 35mm film, using OM10 and the Nikon EM,. Last year I started shooting film again as a personal challenge.
Shooting 2020 pictures with a 1964-camera blows my mind - when you think about it.
A 1964-shooter would have had to imagine time traveling. And today we can make this real. Crazy - isn''t it?
I agree, it is crazy. But very glad that it is possible.
Really, if you choose to shoot film with, say an OM1, you will rapidly realise how much more skill was required in film days. No mega number of shots seeking to ensure you had a keeper & until relatively late in film days, much of it was slide film rated at, say, 64 ISO.
good subject Peter I had the urge to buy a vintage several times .. on the occasion I will do it 👍
I grew up shooting film -- 35mm and Super 8 -- started with a 1965 Nikon F. I love my digital mirrorless (Panasonic G85) -- but I love film also. I agree -- photography is capturing an image -- regardless of the gear and technology. But the gear affects how the image is captured -- digital enables a lot of things that most film cameras cannot, but the limitations of film cameras then "exercise" parts of your brain to make up for those limitations. So both are great ways to capture images. I currently have about *300* vintage cameras and at least as many lenses -- 35mm, medium format, 8mm and Super 8. Way too many to use -- I am a bit addicted to collecting unique models, and trying to get working models -- so if I get one that is not working, I try to get another of the same model, and so on, until I get a working one! I need to offload a bunch at this point -- and put up a *LOT* of shelves to display the ones that I keep. Thank you Peter!!! Enjoy that beautiful weather!
Thank for sharing. Yes I will enjoy the sunny weather we have had. But here in Helsinki it can be all seasons in a day.
Täytyypi kaivaa vanha kunnon Olympus OM-2 komeron perukoilta :) Kyseinen kamera opetti aikoinaan kuvauksen perusteet, joutui tosiaan vähän miettimään ennenkuin painoi liipasinta. Tiedätkö huoltaako joku liike Helsingissä filmikameroita? En äkkiseltään googlesta löytänyt.
Oletko kysynyt onnistuuko JAS-tekniikka huoltamaan tuon?
@@ForsgardPeter En vielä, täytyy kysyä sieltä. Kiitos!
My 1973 OM1 was my first camera, but I found a new Pen FT the following years, and added a mint Pen FV about the same time as I bought an OM2, and built up both outfit until I had half a dozen Pen lenses. They were beautiful little devices, but I shot mainly for slide presentation, for which they never quite matched the quality of my OM, and later also Nikon images, so I sold the lot, and later also my final OM, the 4Ti (to switch to Nikon, because aging eyes needed AF). I regret both decisions and have since purchased and had reconditioned an OM4Ti, which I still haven't used.
Must try, soon.
You should try it. OM4Ti is legendary camera. I think it was just that model that was in the opening shot in one of the Bond movies.
Thanks for the review of the famous PEN F. I've started to use my Canon EOS 500 (no D 😉) again. My first camera, an Agfa Silette LK sensor needs a helping hand first, as the shutter has come to age.
I thought about buying a "real" Pen F(T), but I prefer my Pen F Digital. I startet with film (late 80s), and still shoot mostly film. Most of my vintage cameras are 6x6 and 6x9 folding cameras, and 35 mm is by now solely Leica M6 and IIIf (they suit me best). Regarding the XP2 - you could've easily shot this film at ISO 200, 100 or even 50 with good results (best at 200), just don't worry. The Ektar 100 should be exposed at ISO 100, but Portra 400 or especially 800 can be heavily over-exposed (I once had +8 stops over-exposure by accident, and the negative was at least usable, even though very hard to scan). This is what I *love* about (color negative) film - no problems with burned-out highlights! (Not true for color slide film, which is very finicky with correct exposure.)
It is more tricky with slide film. Negatives area lot easier in that sense.
I found using - generally- very slow slide film a very difficult beast to use, however some of the results were just spectacular.
Thanks a lot for this review and showing some beautiful vintage photos...
Thank you. Glad you liked it
The first 35mm camera I bought was a Mamiya Auto-Lux 35 a fixed lens SLR I should try it again it seems to work ok. About a year ago I bought a OM1n it makes you think about each shot more for a start it's fully manual and the cost of each shot is in your mind, although i've not used it yet I have just bought a PEN f with the same lens as yours. It was quite an expensive camera when newI have a catalogue from 1965 they were £75.00 with that lens
Wow! I had no idea of the technical and engineering innovations in the Pen F series of cameras -- that is awesome. And your images were amazing -- especially for a camera almost as old as I am (born in 1963). But I can see why the Pen F cameras demand good prices even at this time.
Thanks. The technology was quite impressive and Mr. Maitani resolved quite a few problems to make this camera what it is.
What a great video, Peter!!! I have numerous Zeiss film cameras, just about to the point that there are too many to count. My first was a Contaflex Super B with just about all the lenses & accessories that were made for it. It worked until about a year ago when the curtain froze up. I'm currently shooting with my SL706 with the M42 mount so I can use my Pentax glass with it. Beautiful machine & the meter is still spot on. My working medium format camera from Zeiss is a 531/2 Super Ikonta 6x9. It's another great one, but the shutter is starting to slow down. I'll be changing over to my Mamiya M645 1000s system camera while I'm waiting to get time to fix the Ikonta. Also have an Adox Sport folding camera that I plan on using in the next day or two. Just purchased several fairly fresh, frozen rolls of Adox 120 to put through it. Can't wait!!
As for the film vs digital controversy..... there's a difference. To me it's like a home cooked meal vs fast food & I'll enjoy the former any day. I do have a digital. It's a Kodak S-1 MFT camera. It does good for what it is. Cheap. It's the camera that has locked me into Oly when I want to upgrade. The only other digital I have my eyes on is a Fuji GFX50R. My money would go to Oly if they had medium format digital cameras.
Regards, Peter!! I look forward to your next video, especially if you make another on on film.
Thank you very much for sharing!
Great video Peter about a great camera. I myself use Olympus Pen S, Pen EE-2, XA and XA4, Olympus 2Spot/Program and Olympus E510 and E520 with assorted lenses and Digital Pen EP1, EPl5, EPl7 and EPl9. So i am what you can call an Olympus Aficionado! Since 1974 with OM1. and yeah film Pen camera is fun, and i use to make Pen-o-rama in 3 or 5 pictures with the Pen S. So thank you and continue with what your doing next........
Thanks for sharing.
I started out shooting film cameras, that was all there was in the 1960s. I have shot from 8x10 view cameras, down to 16mm Minox cameras. I had a Pen F FT in the late 1960s, which I used as a personal camera, doing street photography. I used Nikon F and Graflex XL cameras for work, still have a Graflex XL, as well as ROLLEI 6000 SLR cameras. I got to use one of the first Kodak/Nikon digital cameras, but still preferred film in the 1990s. I now own the digital Pen F camera and have had it since it was released. I used a Nikon Z6, and had the smaller Nikon V1 system, but have gone back to my Pen F for most of my current photography. I have been thinking about getting another film PenF FV camera. Thanks Peter for your thoughts on this subject. Cheers
Thanks for sharing.
Lovely review of a lovely camera, I have very fond memories of these half-frame cameras. Film is still beautiful - sometimes has more "character" than digital. And large format film is still gorgeous in terms resolution of saturation.
Very good video, Peter!
Many thanks! Glad you liked it.
I started out with SLRs in high school with a Miranda. I later bought ther OM1n, followed, after a canoeing accident, with the OM2n. In the last few years, I've added ther OM4, a Pen FT, a couple Olympus range finders, the latest being the 35 RC, which is amazingly small. I also bought fixed lens 6x6 mf cameras. Including the ANSCO Super Speedex, which is also amazing! Last, I bought some spacers so I can use my mother's Brownie Model B (?) from the 1930s with 120 film. They're fun to play with, but if I want to shoot travel or events, it's back to my EM1ii!
Thanks for the great review!
Glad you enjoyed it.
Hi Peter! I'm thinking about buying a 35mm half frame Pen, either F or FT. I already own a bunch of zuiko glasses for my film OM-1. Any experience in using those lenses with a half frame srl?
I have not used Zuiko lenses on my Pen-F. I only have one lens for mine.
@@ForsgardPeter Thanks!
I started on photography with a digital camera (Sony alpha 100), but with time I started to listen people talking about film, so I tried.... I learned a lot more shooting with film than what I had with digital! So now I own three 35mm film cameras that I use often: a Rolleiflex SL35, a Zenit 3M (both SLR´S) and a Fed2 (rangefinder), I also have two medium format film cameras: a Zeiss Ikon Nettar (6x6) and a Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta (6x4.5). I use all of my film cameras regularly, I shoot almost always Black & White, so I develop myself (usually the half stand method with Rodinal). I love film, my main cameras are digital of course, but I alwys try to carry one film camera with me for a shot or two.
Thank you for sharing.
such a dream camera! thanks for the video :) how do yo focus on this camera? is it a range finder ? thanks in advance :)
It is a SLR type camera.
@@ForsgardPeter Thanks!
Hi, I just can't figure out how to set burst shooting on my pen-f! Help!
You need to advance the film real fast!
Hey Peter, lots of fun to use film. Ive just bought new batteries for my old film camera from around 1998. A Nikon a 70D ( I think) - Its got a great lens. I’ll let you know how I go. Love to know more about the different kinds of film avaiable today.
Wonderful how you can load up an early 60's camera and she purrs like a kitten. What I miss most about the non-digital era is when new camera models were introduced the changes weren't as numerous and extreme.But even better the older models weren't pushed back into a state obsolescence. They were every bit as useful as the later model with perhaps just one less whistle, or two.
The main difference with F vs. FT was that FT has a light meter. Then the third model FV did not have a light meter.
I still have a large assortment of my analogue Nikons, Pinhole Cameras, toy cameras et.al. It's funny how all things are relative. I used to use my pinhole cameras to "slow me down" from my hurried 35mm shooting. What I've come to discover and practice is the art if self-discipline. I shoot strictly digital now and after a beginning few years of rapid, careless and thoughtless shooting i knew it was time to take stock of the situation. With my digital PenF I shoot strictly in mono mode with a #2 grain selection and a filter setting at yellow. I worked hard on establishing a film or analogue "mind set" whereby I kept telling my self to take my time. "Take your time or you'll NEVER get better". I guess what I'm trying to say is shooting film or digital doesn't have to be different as far as discipline goes. If, in fact, film forces you to take your time, then you must mentally take over and "force yourself" to take your time. Digital or otherwise.
You have the best cameras, Peter. I wanted your Ferrari camera, now I want your Pen F!
Olympus cameras are desirable. I might get a few lenses for it if I can find some that are reasonably priced. Not easy to find.
I was given a Yashicaflex 635 which was an interesting TLR camera as it had a adaptor to load 35mm film in place of the normal 120. I only ever put one film through it and never used the 35mm adaptor. It was a unique camera in its day. I still have it.
Thanks for the video Peter, I bought same camera but still haven't used it yet, so what if the iso of the film is 800, like Kodak Portra for example, the limit is 500. And sorry to say this but the results are questionable! :D like for example photo 7:47, there is blue/green spot in the middle on the trees the same on the 7:42 ? So far from what I saw this camera performs the best with black and white film
Yes, there is something in the lens I guess.
I have an Olympus OM2N that I use alongside my OMD EM1.2 / OMD EM1.3 / PEN F & OMD EM5.2. I love my Olympus Gear
Hi Peter, I have the Olympus pen EF the last version of the half frame system I enjoy shooting with it. The only thing I’m encountering with this film style is that where I live here in the states, labs will develop the negatives but won’t print, I have tried to scan but no luck in getting nice images out of the scans. Any advice you that can help please advise. Your Channel is great. I have been shooting with Olympus pen system on the digital side for 6yrs now. Take care and happy photography
Hope you don't mind my responding to your part of the post pertaining to a lack of stores that print. The first place I thought of for developing & printing is The Dark Room in California. Another option is Allied Digital Photo just a few miles south of me, here in Wisconsin. You may also want to check out the Lomography website & search their forum for ideas. There are still plenty of places out there that print. There are a few small timers that still enlarge to photographic paper, but they're getting hard to find. Most folks that want to go that extra mile enlarge at home, like myself. If I scan negs, my scanner is a Canon 9000F II. It's not top of the line, but it does a great job. Also look for the Betterscanning website for holder options to better your results.
Regards & good luck on your search!!
Yes it is not easy. I have a video about digitizing film. That video might help. ruclips.net/video/uMNMaXhk2Ts/видео.html
I recently inherited one of these (first generation), I have a question with the lens: its a 38mm zuiko auto-s 1:2,8. When I close the diaph, it doesnt seem to move inside the lens. Diaph will only show his "real" aperture when I press the small "depth of field" button. Otherwise, it would be stock on his max aperture, even if I move the aperture ring. Is it normal? Or should I have the lens cleaned? Thanks you! :-)
Unfortunately cannot really help with that. I have not deep dived into the camera functions that much.
My first serious camera was a Nikon FE (circa 1977). That and a handful of lenses were my go-to kit for almost 3 decades until I traded everything in for an Olympus E-300 digital in 2004.
I’m sorry I didn’t keep my film equipment now. Not that I’m not thoroughly enjoying digital photography but it would’ve been nice to go back to film occasionally.
Thank you for sharing.
Another interesting and informative video, Peter. Now I want to get my hands on a Pen-F film camera, but that’s probably an unattainable dream! And after all, I’m perfectly satisfied with my Pen-F MFT, which is really fun to shoot with.
There's many on Ebay, usually from Japan, but not always. A lot of lens choices too. I've got a Pen EE-3 coming from Japan right now. I like the Pen EE-3 because its basically a point and shoot with the selenium cell meter around the lens. Its smaller than the F and really a nice, simple camera. But I'm also looking into an F for the beauty of it and the manual capabilities which I also like as well
Some food for thought: In the world of fine art photography (and I'm talking here about the likes of Nan Goldin, not Peter Lik), the process of creation is part of what makes the art piece. Contemporary art pieces frequently refer to their own construction, and for this reason, shooting on film can make a difference to what the work means and what it represents. So yes, at a superficial level (and probably in the overwhelming majority of exhibited photographs), the medium is irrelevant; however, in some pieces, it's part of what makes it a piece of art.
I totally agree.
Beautiful images!
Many thanks!
Peter I have to disagree to an extent that film is the same as digital, especially black and white. Perhaps in the most general term in that both produce images, but the execution
is very different. But I do agree you have to slow down and think...
I use both mediums using mostly Olympus cameras (OMD - Pen F Digital, Om1, OM2, OM3, Practika and Pentax Spotmatic). First digital has a much higher dynamic range, its much more flexible, you can shoot different ISO's while in film you cannot/should change ISO in the same roll (unless you use it was a way for exposure compensation) . Digital images are much sharper.
Most film cameras have center weighted light metering (some don't have meters or need an external one) and that makes it challenging to shoot in high contrast scenes. the Om3 and Om4 introduced multipoint spot metering...which was a fantastic innovation and overcame the limitation of center weighted light meters. These cameras also allowed you choose areas that would correspond to zone 0 (shadow) and zone 10 (highlight). Then there is a choice of films ...there is a big difference in film emulsions - even with the same ISO rating (Tri-X and JCH400 are significantly different). TMax 100 and Foma 100, Agfa APX behave differently. With digital you can simulate different films in post. Then developer - film combination also is very significant, especially if you scan the negative as I do, because scanning exaggerates grain. Also not all films lend itself to scanning - the best ones have clear/transluscent bases (for example Rollei RPX, 80s and TMax are very good). Scanning a negative as opposed to a print also is different. Then the choice of scanners also impact the quality of the image. With film you also have the option of using filters - with digital you don't need filters because you can apply them at post. Again once you use a filter in film - that's it - you cannot undo the effects. I haven't done much color recently but pretty much the same applies - except you don't have as much choice in developers. With slide film correct exposure is critical. So film is very different and requires a good understanding of the interplay of all factors that produces a final negative and printed image. However, I agree with you whole heartedly that one is not better than the other or that a film photographer is somehow better than a digital photographer. Both are rewarding, both are are different and we should celebrate the choice we have, although perhaps having experience in film makes you more sensitive to issues of lighting which an only help you.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I use my Olympus OM20 on a regular basis. When work is done with my EM5III, I can enjoy myself and the OM20 😃
That's awesome!
The pen f was around when I was looking for my first camera. I looked at it, but I decided for a "full-frame" model. Maybe my biggest mistake at the time.
It is interesting to hear that he discussion about the film/sensor size was already going on back then.
Very interesting Peter. I still have my OM 1, plus a few lenses. A beautiful camera, although I haven’t used it for twenty years. I’m tempted to get it out again, but because of the convenience I’m sure I’ll stick to the digital version. So much better for bird photography.
Cheers,
David
I think shooting with film cameras will improve your photography and for beginners, it will teach them how to use a camera with the right aperture, exposure etc. Every beginner should start with film cameras in my opinion. I don't like taking too many pictures like the most people like "there will be a good one of this 20 shots or more from a subject."
wow, this pictures have an special look and feeling, that cannot be replicated digitally.It makes me want to use my OM1 again, but it is too expensive.
Couldn't agree more!
Now i get where they got that vertical mirror to olympus e-300.
Try the Olympus Trip 35...full frame point and shoot with a fantastic sharp 40 mm lens...
I have looked if I could get a hold of one. So far no luck.
Digitizing film make a different thing than traditional positive process. But if you shoot positive film one can use optical projector for viewing. It's very interesting experiment to assess the difference in quality of imaging when you can't apply digital image processing. The film cameras of the past suffer such well know issue as focal plane justification. That's why SLR was huge progress from rangefinder cameras. But SLR also have justification issues when image sharp in viewfinder are actually not perfect focused on the film. Modern AI software like Topaz allows to fix small lousiness in justification (it also strongly depend on F number and DoF) and make very sharp images from scanned films. But if you assess fully analog end-to-end process you'll be disappointed. Only top cameras like Nikon F3, F4 had been preciously justified. It was very substantial addition to the cost indeed.
Sure wish we could fit our high-end MFT glass to the Pen F SLR film cameras, but there would be no way to control the aperture.
I started with film.
I have the PEN EE but the lens is now wobbly so I don't use anymore. Waiting for summer light to use my TRIP 35 - that is a very sharp lens/camera and it is simple, would have been inexpensive in its day. I have several SLRs, the one I bought new when I got my first job is the Minolta X-700. And several zoom lenses. I think for 2020, shooting an SLR is too complicated, too involved. A point and shoot like the TRIP 35 allows you to focus on the content and composition, not on the technical details.
Yes, Trip 35 is a very good camera.
i have the pen ee2. boguht it before 2 years because i want to become a collector of olympus cameras, my target is the OM2SP and the OM40 form the film camera, right now i have the OM1 and OM4, would be happy if i got the OM3Ti.
oh yes also have the stylus. great little full frame.
I still have a functioning OM1 + 1.8 lens. It captured many excellent images.
However, tbh, the time for taking film images is really a thing of the past.
Yes, using film is a thing of the past. But I find it quite fun to do every now and then that I started to test it again.
I like that Pen F, such a great camera, Olympus innovation :-). It was a fun video. But would I use film today, no way. I grew up with film and it was a pain to say the least. Digital is freedom :-)
Yes, it was fun to test film photography, but most of my photography I will do digitally. I might grab the Pen F every now and then with me.
Happy birthday 🎂🎂 @RobTrek send me here.
Thanks. Great :D
I started on 1969 with Konica Autoreflex
So I bought an Pen F first generation. Was a great fault. Because: it was a special model - only made for medical purpose (named "FIT" for endoscopy) with only one lens possible - a microscope one. I didn`t know this when I bought it- then I researched at internet. Found an "Olympus doctor" in Hamburg. He buys this model from me for spare parts. He offered a normal Pen FT - refurbished. So this is the end of the story: my cluelessness let me spent some money for nothing - but at last it came to a happy end.
Sorry, but using a mirror less camera not only means to have an immediate feedback after shooting BUT you also have much more information BEFORE shooting: histogram, over/under-expose warning, different metering modes etc. etc. I do not mention preview jpeg view at all!
And last but not least the storage card opens a sort of gambling you nevet ever will do with film, even if you will have 10 or 30 rolls in your backbag...
I recently bought a Canon FD 50mm 1.4 S,S,C.and used it on my EM10 and was seduced to think of buying also a film camera...
Very true about the info before making the image.
I have two for sale plus lens and lots of other parts
Peter..this would be a useful addition to your pen F..small light meter so you don't need to rely on Sunny 16 www.kekscameras.com/em01.html#/
Thanks for sharing. That looks like a very interesting light meter.
Will Olympus live as a system?
We as users have the power to make it live or die, whether we (continue to) use the system.
I think Olympus will live as a system for many years to come.
the shutter sound is very very very noisy
*Peter Forsgård* Hey ! who watching this video in 2069 :p