OLYMPUS HALF FRAME CAMERAS

Without a doubt, Olympus is the hands-down winner of the half-frame prize. It produced more half-frames -- called "Pens" -- in more styles, with more features, over a longer period of time than anyone else. And if you want to get the definitive guide to the viewfinder cameras in the series, check out:

• Pen series

• Pen D series

• Pen E series

• Pen F series

• Pen S

  (1960-1967) As with the original model there are different versions of the Pen S.  The lens is what varies from model to model.  The speeds were B, 1/8 - 1/250 on all models.  The first model (1960-1964) was nearly identical in appearance to the original Pen but it had a slightly longer 30mm (f2.8 - 22), focusing lens -- 2 feet to infinity.   Another version has a 28mm (f3.5-22) focusing lens (2 feet to infinity).  All of these models say Pen S on the front.   They all have a PC connection, cold flash shoe, tripod socket, and cable relaese connection.  No meter.  Available in black and chrome versions

• Pen W

  (1964-1965)  Since this model sold for only two years, it is one of the more unusual models.  It is basically the same as the Pen S, but had a slightly wider-angle, six-element, 25mm (f2.8 - 22) manually-focusing lens.   Focus was from 2 feet to infinity with click stops at 7 and 15 feet.  Shutter speeds of B, 1/8 - 1/250.  Built-in tripod socket and cable release socket.  It also had a PC connection and a cold flash shoe.  No meter.  Filter thread of 22.5mm.  On the front it says Pen W and it was only available in a black body, but a few gold examples were probably made.

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