Looking for a 35mm half-frame camera? Suggestions?

[gb hill]

I don't think you can beat a Pen EES to carry in the pocket. I like mine but hardly ever use it because the leaf shutter wants to hang sometimes. Wish I knew how to fix it.

 

[Brac]

The Konica AA35 is a nice compact half frame camera with autofocus and flash, but it's not metal but feels quite robust. It dates from the 1980's so is newer than most Olympus HF cameras. Also the film travels vertically, so you don't have to turn the camera for landscape shots.

 

[Trask]

I have a number of half-frame cameras: two Yashica Samurai, some pen viewfinder cameras (one or two with jammed shutter), and two FTs -- oh, and an Agfa Parat (can't remember if it's auto or manual). I would actually rather have an Oly F because I find the FT viewing image to be relatively dim, and focusing isn't helped by the FT having a microprism focusing device (never like all-microprism screens which bums me out because that what Spotmatics use).

Anyway after using these on and off for several years, I decided that I'd prefer to carry a small full-frame 35mm camera like a Leica III or a Contax T -- getting twice the negative area for much less than twice the size or weight.

 

[julio1fer]

The OP must have decided by now. In any case, my favorite series of the Pen is the D (I use a D3) - excellent lenses and full manual control.

 

[gb hill]

Ran across this old post My Pen EES is fixed now & working beautifully. Just had to use it. Running a roll of 20 exp. film in it now. 40 frames. just bought myself a C-41 kit to process my own films at home so will be shooting this camera a lot more. Hope that the OP found a good half frame by now & is shooting it.

 

[thuggins]

Since someone revived this thread, any one of these will do:

But this is the one you really want:

BTW, that case is what gets saved if the house is on fire!

 

[RichardJack]

Hi,
I'm sorry I gave my black Pen FT away. It was a great camera. I only had the 40mm lens but it was a joy to use and the meter was flawless. When I worked for Olympus we used to throw these around like garbage, they were busy pushing the OM1 & OM2. 1/2 frame was very dead in the late 1970's and it was a bit of a P.I.A. getting film processed then, I wonder about now. There are some pretty small full frame rangefinders, IMO you'd be much better off.
best of luck with your search,
Rick

 

[thuggins]

Hi,
1/2 frame was very dead in the late 1970's and it was a bit of a P.I.A. getting film processed then, I wonder about now.
Rick

Getting the film processed was never a problem; it is after all just standard 35mm film. The problem was with the prints. Although I would write detailed instructions on the envelope that it was half frame but to print two images on each 4x6 print, they would invariably screw up. After wasting a couple extra days for "special handling" I'd end up with 78 separate prints.

Now I just shoot slides and instruct the lab to leave them unmounted, and there is never an issue.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Getting Tessina's half frame printed can be a problem because the Tessina has a double reflex system. The image is flipped over by a mirror and therefore the image is has a left-right reversal. To print it the film must be put in the enlarger upside down.

 

[Agulliver]

I used to own a Fujica Drive which had a clockwork motor drive. I shot one film with it and the sold it on....I don't really remember why I sold it now because it was a nice little camera. I lost the film and found it down the back of the sofa about a decade later....developed it and the photos were very sharp, a really nice little camera. Wish I had not sold it.

 

[OptiKen]

We've all forgotten the Agfa Memo from 1929. It's actually a fun little shooter yielding landscape formatted shots. I've had a lot of fun with mine and the images are surprisingly good but it is definitely 'low-tech'. The one I have doesn't have an adjustable shutter or iris - full point-and-shoot.
But it's just for fun....
For half frame work, I love my Pen FT and carry it with me most of the time.
Sometimes, I will shoot my Bencini Koroll II - an all aluminum medium format (120 film) half frame camera.

 

[OptiKen]

The OP must have decided by now. In any case, my favorite series of the Pen is the D (I use a D3) - excellent lenses and full manual control.

I am a bit of a half frame junkie and I've been looking at the Pen D3 - it is really a pretty camera.

 

[aciel78]

I am a bit of a half frame junkie and I've been looking at the Pen D3 - it is really a pretty camera.

Pen D and D2 are great as well. Also look into the Pen S. Konica AA35/Recorder if you can find one at a great price. Sharp lens and fast operation, Literally Point and Shoot.

 

[flavio81]

The ultimate Pen is the rare Pen W, which came with a wider 25mm lens, which also added a fifth element. The Pen W is the only black paint half frame camera which Olympus produced, it is a beauty to handle and to shoot.
View attachment 59573

Hi,

The Olympus Pen S3.5 is my favorite half frame and my favorite Olympus camera. I also own the rare Olympus Pen W, but the change in angle of view is too slight to justify the price (25mm versus 28mm).

 

[Helios 1984]

This link cover most half frame cameras: http://corsopolaris.net/supercameras/half/halformat1s.html

 

[Jonathan R]

Why do you want a half-frame? The Rollei 35 is as small, has full-frame quality, and total user control. Takes filters and a lens-hood. The original f3.5 Tessar is as sharp as they come (albeit a little soft). The viewfinder is beautiful, and there's a built-in light meter. Cons are that the ergonomics are a bit awkward, that a 40mm lens isn't everybody's favourite, and that you have to guess the focus. IMHO, there's no point buying the later version with an f2 lens, because you can't guess the focus accurately enough to use f2. My other camera is a Leica M6, but it can't completely replace the Rollei.

 

[Copyhat]

The Konica Auto-Reflex is the only SLR which can switch between normal and half-frame mode. Lenses are great, just stick a 28 mm f/3.5 on it and shoot away; It comprises of a well made Copal shutter unit which can do 1 second to 1/1000th, shutter priority auto and a nifty (albeit flimsy) film rewind lever.

 

[BMbikerider]

The OP must have decided by now. In any case, my favorite series of the Pen is the D (I use a D3) - excellent lenses and full manual control.

The Pen D was about the best of the Olympus half frame cameras with a superb lens and if I remember correctly, slightly more shutter speeds. If only they had developed it a bit further with interchangable lenses.......just like they have done with their compact digital cameras.

 

[baachitraka]

Agfa Parat with/without Telepar.

 

[baachitraka]

Why do you want a half-frame? The Rollei 35 is as small, has full-frame quality, and total user control. Takes filters and a lens-hood. The original f3.5 Tessar is as sharp as they come (albeit a little soft). The viewfinder is beautiful, and there's a built-in light meter. Cons are that the ergonomics are a bit awkward, that a 40mm lens isn't everybody's favourite, and that you have to guess the focus. IMHO, there's no point buying the later version with an f2 lens, because you can't guess the focus accurately enough to use f2. My other camera is a Leica M6, but it can't completely replace the Rollei.

That grain you get from small negative is always special.

 

[removed account4]

in the classifides section right NOW ( 11/22/2016 ) there is a pen f or pen ft for a song and a dance.
even though i don't need one, i almost want to buy it just to say i bought one so cheap.
if it needs to be sent to mr hermanson/camtech for a cla the buyer is still ahead.

 

[TSSPro]

^ that sounds like a great opportunity! I have a lowly Pen EES which I picked up for $15 bucks at a trade in event from a vendor. I couldn't pass it up! I haven't processed the film that I have in the camera. It takes a while for me to make it through all the frames! I'd love a pen F for the fully manual features and improved aesthetics!

 

[flavio81]

^ that sounds like a great opportunity! I have a lowly Pen EES which I picked up for $15 bucks at a trade in event from a vendor. I couldn't pass it up! I haven't processed the film that I have in the camera. It takes a while for me to make it through all the frames! I'd love a pen F for the fully manual features and improved aesthetics!

I have the Pen EE-S-2 as well, in mint shape, however the exposure meter seems to underexpose sometimes, i'll need to do a double check on the system to be sure of using it again.

Ergonomically it's a pleasure to use.

 

[aciel78]

in the classifides section right NOW ( 11/22/2016 ) there is a pen f or pen ft for a song and a dance.
even though i don't need one, i almost want to buy it just to say i bought one so cheap.
if it needs to be sent to mr hermanson/camtech for a cla the buyer is still ahead.

Hi Jnanian,
Thanks for the mention. I am the seller of the FT. Needs NO CLA. Has been CLA'd by previous owner and works like a DREAM! Probably the smoothest operating Pen F i've come across.

 

[dynachrome]

There was a nice series of Konica half frame cameras called "eye." The lettering was very stylized so many people thought the series was called "cyc." If I'm in a half frame mood I will take out my Konica AA35 or I will use a Konica Auto Reflex and use the 28/1.8 Konica UC Hexanon as the standard lens. With some fine grain film I'm ready to go.