HanSolex
Member
Hoping to get a little advice about how to proceed. The situation: I bought a Pen F Medical (with the unusual lens adapter and shutter lever) thinking it might be kind of fun to have an unusual variant to use as a normal camera. Also, it was inexpensive relative to regular Pen Fs in similar condition (probably a clue I should have picked up on). Normally I do more research so I know what I'm getting into, but it didn't occur to me that there might be internal differences between the regular and medical versions. Now I know ... but I'm not clear on the exact issues I'm facing.
Not too much online about this—the stuff I found, a few threads, everyone involved seems to already have a working knowledge of the issues. It seems that the focusing screen may be different than a normal Pen F, but I'm not clear on how. Unfortunately the mirror is stuck—the camera will need a CLA, and I knew this going in—so I can't put a regular lens on (which I have) to verify the differences. Would someone be willing to run me through what I've gotten myself into?
Perhaps there's a repair shop that can do the CLA and install a correct focusing screen? Is there anything else I need to do to get this to work properly as a regular SPR?
Basically, compared to a similar non-op Pen F, how much additional work is needed here? Is it worthwhile or should I bail and try to find a different body? Thanks a ton in advance for any opinions/advice/dose of reality. At least cosmetically it's in very nice shape, and the film chamber is very clean. I doubt this was used much.
(Excuse the terrible iPhone picture, I was in a hurry, but there's not much to see anyways.)
Not too much online about this—the stuff I found, a few threads, everyone involved seems to already have a working knowledge of the issues. It seems that the focusing screen may be different than a normal Pen F, but I'm not clear on how. Unfortunately the mirror is stuck—the camera will need a CLA, and I knew this going in—so I can't put a regular lens on (which I have) to verify the differences. Would someone be willing to run me through what I've gotten myself into?
Perhaps there's a repair shop that can do the CLA and install a correct focusing screen? Is there anything else I need to do to get this to work properly as a regular SPR?
Basically, compared to a similar non-op Pen F, how much additional work is needed here? Is it worthwhile or should I bail and try to find a different body? Thanks a ton in advance for any opinions/advice/dose of reality. At least cosmetically it's in very nice shape, and the film chamber is very clean. I doubt this was used much.
(Excuse the terrible iPhone picture, I was in a hurry, but there's not much to see anyways.)
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HanSolex
Member
I should add that while I've got a bit invested in the lenses now and would definitely like a working Pen F body at some point, I spent a modest amount on this Medical body and feel confident I could recoup my investment by reselling it. So while fixing this body would be nice, there's no sunk cost fallacy issue here.
HanSolex
Member
Lastly, here's a video of what's going on.
R_a_feldman
Member
The Medical/Scientific models of the Pen F and FT have a clear focusing screen, which is used for paralax focusing on the aerial image. As Dechert wrote in his book on the Pen F’s, it is “essentially useless to a generalist photographer.”
This shop in Japan advertises (advertised?) that they can replace Pen F/FT focusing screens with split-image screens: Kanto Camera (Link). For the Pen F, the screen is bonded to the pentaprism, so both need to be replaced.
Replacing a focusing screen requires major disassembly, so it is not for the inexperienced or faint of heart.
This shop in Japan advertises (advertised?) that they can replace Pen F/FT focusing screens with split-image screens: Kanto Camera (Link). For the Pen F, the screen is bonded to the pentaprism, so both need to be replaced.
Replacing a focusing screen requires major disassembly, so it is not for the inexperienced or faint of heart.
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R_a_feldman
Member
Looking at your video, I note that the shutter is stuck in the middle of its rotation — not a good sign. You can see part of the shutter in the corner of the frame opening.
HanSolex
Member
Couple notes here for anyone else in my situation:
1. John Hermanson doesn't do Pen repairs anymore.
2. Viewfinder conversions aren't simple or economical (it's not like a OM-series SLR, where the viewfinder screens simply pop out), so avoid the Medical Types.
I'm still going to be fine as I paid near enough to the eBay comps for this body to simply sell it off. I've already bought a supposedly good Pen-FV, which unfortunately doesn't have the gothic-script F which looks cool but seems to be the best compromise for use of all the F models. And the lenses I already had for the body I bought will of course work. So, we'll see if the Pen-FV proves out, and I'll probably recoup my Medical Type money.
Not too painful lesson learned.
1. John Hermanson doesn't do Pen repairs anymore.
2. Viewfinder conversions aren't simple or economical (it's not like a OM-series SLR, where the viewfinder screens simply pop out), so avoid the Medical Types.
I'm still going to be fine as I paid near enough to the eBay comps for this body to simply sell it off. I've already bought a supposedly good Pen-FV, which unfortunately doesn't have the gothic-script F which looks cool but seems to be the best compromise for use of all the F models. And the lenses I already had for the body I bought will of course work. So, we'll see if the Pen-FV proves out, and I'll probably recoup my Medical Type money.
Not too painful lesson learned.