Olympus Pen EES-2 - Staff Review
written by shhquiet
on June 11th, 2008
, 16 submissions
, 10 comments
(2 votes)
The EES series hails from the popular Pen family of Olympus half-frame cameras. In 1959, the Pen was the very first half-frame camera in Japan, specially designed by its popular chief designer, Yoshihisa Maitani. The small and portable camera was such a hit that it influenced other Japanese companies to use the same idea.
Two years later, the Pen EE was introduced – it had a 28mm f/3.5 lens, fixed focus and automatic exposure, making it a very convenient point-and-shoot camera. The EES appeared a year later, boasting a 30mm f/2.8 lens and a focusing ring. It had a shutter speed that adjusts automatically according to the light level, which helps in nailing the precise exposure range.
It was in 1968 when the EES-2 emerged – it’s basically the same as the EES, but a flash hotshoe was made available. Also, while the EES had a film speed of 10-200, the EES-2 had 25-400. Along with the rest of the Pen family, the EES-2’s charm lies in its convenient controls and the D-Zuiko lens that offers superior quality.
Dux.x shares his personal review, plus tips & tricks:
This little thing is capable of taking more than 80 pics with a single 36 frames roll. Yeah, it´s the perfect camera to take to places where you can´t find films to buy. A perfect camera for these days, when it´s very hard to find that finest film of your dream. Because of its format (35mm half-frame) when the others take 36, you can shot over 80! The camera doesn´t need batteries, just need sun light to activate the solar powered selenium light meter. Perfect ecological masterpiece. Besides the economical aspect, the little Pen had that great D. Zuiko lens with professional quality, reliable mechanics, small size and the cute vertical format for your pictures that you’re gonna love. The EES-2 version had a zone focus (other versions had a fixed focus) giving you more power to play with the camera. It´s a aperture priority camera with the shutter fixed on 1/200sec on A (auto) mode or you can choose the aperture (to use flash or be creative) with the shutter on 1/40sec.
Tips & Tricks:
- With this camera you can play with the half-frame thing, creating images that completes a scene, like a panorama, for example. Create couple images with relation between each other too.
- It´s great to be the second camera on your bag, with black and white film, to do the makin-of, every time you go out to shot with your main camera (or at work). With a single roll you can shot over 80 images.
- You can do more with a single roll, more images with that very rare and expensive roll that you find at your grandma´s house.
- Find a good red filter and do some black and white street shots with. You will love the results!
Credits
Photos 1-4 by: dux.x
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