vonfilm
Established
The original Pen of 1959 is my favorite. Compact, pocketable, a nearly silent shutter and a sharp Zuiko lens. I often use an old Voigtlander rangefinder on its cold shoe.
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/792/40325806325_0ba69a1c6e_b.jpg)
Original Pen 2 by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/877/41178092662_69d27e83a3_b.jpg)
Original Pen 2 by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/796/41178105032_2aa6d0edf5_b.jpg)
Original Pen 3 by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/792/40325806325_0ba69a1c6e_b.jpg)
Original Pen 2 by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/877/41178092662_69d27e83a3_b.jpg)
Original Pen 2 by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/796/41178105032_2aa6d0edf5_b.jpg)
Original Pen 3 by vonfilm, on Flickr
vonfilm
Established
Here are some recent pics.
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/863/41200553781_5c10919917_b.jpg)
Original Pen IV by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/796/39390201580_4a75d69ab8_b.jpg)
Original Pen III by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/865/39390200720_bdb3892780_b.jpg)
Original Pen III by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/875/39390203340_03a4fc8021_b.jpg)
Original Pen III by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/895/41155236122_b257a9f2a9_b.jpg)
Original Pen II by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/863/41200553781_5c10919917_b.jpg)
Original Pen IV by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/796/39390201580_4a75d69ab8_b.jpg)
Original Pen III by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/865/39390200720_bdb3892780_b.jpg)
Original Pen III by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/875/39390203340_03a4fc8021_b.jpg)
Original Pen III by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/895/41155236122_b257a9f2a9_b.jpg)
Original Pen II by vonfilm, on Flickr
vonfilm
Established
More pics
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/801/26327031767_69f199fd39_b.jpg)
Original Pen II by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/801/41155217782_206b06342c_b.jpg)
Original Pen by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/896/41155236932_d8e5a52052_b.jpg)
Original Pen II by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/807/41200549261_9b58c44169_b.jpg)
Original Pen IV by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/897/39390207090_77ca940673_b.jpg)
Original Pen III by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/801/26327031767_69f199fd39_b.jpg)
Original Pen II by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/801/41155217782_206b06342c_b.jpg)
Original Pen by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/896/41155236932_d8e5a52052_b.jpg)
Original Pen II by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/807/41200549261_9b58c44169_b.jpg)
Original Pen IV by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/897/39390207090_77ca940673_b.jpg)
Original Pen III by vonfilm, on Flickr
petronius
Mentor
ACullen
Well-known
I've the Pen W which is pretty much the same camera only with a 25mm 2.8 five element lens. It too has a near silent shutter. No other camera i've used is as quiet. Nice pics and camera by the way it looks like you have a light leak. The foam seals are easily replaced. I've only had my Pen W a short time but it's easily one of my favourite cameras.
aizan
Mentor
still hoping to find a pen w in a shoe box for $5.
zuiko85
Mentor
I have a couple of early Pens, also my favorites of VF type half frames, although other half frame cameras may be better specified on paper.
My earliest is a Sanko Shoji Pen. These first 6 months of Pen production were handled by a subcontractor until Olympus was sure the camera was to be a success.
Still the great little camera Olympus would soon fully take over production of.
My earliest is a Sanko Shoji Pen. These first 6 months of Pen production were handled by a subcontractor until Olympus was sure the camera was to be a success.
Still the great little camera Olympus would soon fully take over production of.
leicapixie
Well-known
I loved the camera and fact it shot verticals.
My real first street camera that led to ruin!
A series of images made the Front page of South Africa's largest newspaper!
Later fashion and model assignments.
Tried the rangefinder gizmo, but relied on depth of field.
A tiny flashgun and AG-1 bulbs was sufficient.
My real first street camera that led to ruin!
A series of images made the Front page of South Africa's largest newspaper!
Later fashion and model assignments.
Tried the rangefinder gizmo, but relied on depth of field.
A tiny flashgun and AG-1 bulbs was sufficient.
vonfilm
Established
These pictures were taken on cheap Agfa 200 film. The scan is the Ultra High Definition Rangefinder Forum special at Precision Camera right here in Austin.
vonfilm
Established
I often use my Panasonic GF1 as a lightmeter when I have time. I set the ISO the same as the filmstock and use the manual setting to choose the aperture and shutter speed . I tansfer the settings to the Pen when I am satisfied with digital shots exposure.
In contrast to the spring loaded shutter buttons of my Oly 35RC and Trip, the Pen's is very light and crisp hence no camera shake.
The very very flat lens of the Pen lends itself to snag free pocketability. It is the ultimate "pancake" lens.
In contrast to the spring loaded shutter buttons of my Oly 35RC and Trip, the Pen's is very light and crisp hence no camera shake.
The very very flat lens of the Pen lends itself to snag free pocketability. It is the ultimate "pancake" lens.
WJJ3
Well-known
The original Pen of 1959 is my favorite. Compact, pocketable, a nearly silent shutter and a sharp Zuiko lens. I often use an old Voigtlander rangefinder on its cold shoe.
Original Pen 2 by vonfilm, on Flickr
Great camera! I have seen comments that the 2.8cm Zuiko is excellent. I shoot a 3cm f2.8 Pen S and REALLY enjoy it!
![19595985056_1827f85c7b_c.jpg](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/430/19595985056_1827f85c7b_c.jpg)
![23441161090_02b9c85f16_c.jpg](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/758/23441161090_02b9c85f16_c.jpg)
![23861742366_29270098dc_c.jpg](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/640/23861742366_29270098dc_c.jpg)
vonfilm
Established
WJJ3,
Those are some great photos from your Pen S.
Those are some great photos from your Pen S.
WJJ3
Well-known
WJJ3,
Those are some great photos from your Pen S.
Thank you! Looking forward to seeing some more of yours
hayesbd
Member
Here's a shot that could be from 1943 or so...
From my Pen EES-2
From my Pen EES-2
![TLqtjV1.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/TLqtjV1.jpg)
zuiko85
Mentor
Here's a shot that could be from 1943 or so...
From my Pen EES-2
The pylons give it away, too new. What ship is that?
vonfilm
Established
More Pen Pics
Original Pen IV by vonfilm, on Flickr
Original Pen IV by vonfilm, on Flickr
Original Pen IV by vonfilm, on Flickr
Original Pen IV by vonfilm, on Flickr
Original Pen II by vonfilm, on Flickr
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/890/41200554611_bf9b0e504c_k.jpg)
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/876/41200555391_4dc399ba12_k.jpg)
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/885/41200552021_e3f38d0eb1_k.jpg)
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/813/41200550791_d9ab893c79_k.jpg)
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/895/41155236122_41cbc63978_k.jpg)
vonfilm
Established
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/796/39390205090_42337b1cb1_k.jpg)
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/874/39390201920_17d66c76da_k.jpg)
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/809/39390208320_a7f88fcb0a_k.jpg)
![](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/785/39390209250_8a4846a1d4_k.jpg)
hayesbd
Member
The pylons give it away, too new. What ship is that?
It's the USS Texas in Houston.
squirrel$$$bandit
Mentor
Just found one of these for 20 bucks at a flea market! Shutter works perfectly—just need to clean the front glass and viewfinder...hoping I won’t need to open up the top to do the latter...
zuiko85
Mentor
If this is the original Pen, not the EE version, then be very careful cleaning the VF if it comes to that. The cover glass with the frosted half sits just a few thousands in front of the VF front lens. If there is dirt there then other than removing it from the plastic frame, (don't) the only way I've found to clean that very narrow gap is a business card cut to a strip about 1/2 inch. then wrap one layer of thin lens tissue around it and insert into gap. Drag out slowly. Repeat if needed. Use dry and if you can't get it spotless then get it as good as you can which will be good enough. If you take the cover off the VF bottom be VERY careful cleaning any surfaces. The VF contains both a full silvered front surface mirror and a semi-slivered beam splitter. If you wipe the aluminizing off the beam splitter you will render the bright frame either invisible or at least very very dim.
Just a heads up. Don't ask how I know all these things.
Just a heads up. Don't ask how I know all these things.
Share:
-
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.