Olympus Pen FV Mirror

Maximus966

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Hello!

I have a real mint condition Olympus Pen FT, but tired of the dim screen view (and the fact the I use a hand meter when using it, although the camera meter works correctly), and I am thinking of replacing the mirror to a FV model.

Anyone knows where I can purchase this mirror? I was looking in YouTube to see if there’s any video, but none out there.

The reason is I am planning a trip to Europe, and this camera would be ideal due to size and lens selection for landscape / street photography… plus the extra frames per roll!

Thanks!!!
 

4season

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Front-surface mirrors are somewhat generic, so if you know the length, width and thickness that you need, it ought to be possible to have someone cut one to size. Rough edges can be wet-sanded.
 

brbo

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That is true. And in this case you don't even have to get absolutely the same thickness as original mirror (as you would have to for the reflex mirror!).

It's just that people that are cutting such mirrors already exist and you don't have to loose time communicating specs, fulfilling minimum quantity requirements, cutting down mirrors yourself, etc.

(btw, I have no affiliation to the guy that I mentioned and I'm sure there are more people out there)
 
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xkaes

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The translucent mirror of the FT is a drawback, for sure. I've addressed the issue by using full-frame lenses. They are larger, for sure, but typically have faster maximum apertures, like my 24mm 2.0, 28mm f2.0, and 35mm 1.8 lenses. They certainly brighten up the viewfinder. Of course, you have to be willing to put up without an automatic diaphragm.
 
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Maximus966

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Saw that mirror in eBay, thanks for the link.

Is the work pretty much straightforward? Can it be accomplished by removing the camera top only and removing the meter as well? I really don’t care much for the meter for the camera, as I never use it anyway.

Again, the body is soooo good, and all speeds work beautiful, so I don’t care for the meter… would love to make the screen brighter and done!

Thanks again!

Jorge
 

xkaes

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You might have better luck in the REPAIRS & MODIFICATION sub-FORUM. Plenty of geeks over there. Who knows, someone might have already done it.
 

brbo

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Yes, replacing the mirror is not hard and you only need to remove the top plate. It's been a while since I did it so I don't remember the details. I left the meter in place, because... why not. Maybe you'll want to return the camera to the original state someday.
 
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Maximus966

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Thanks for the feedback. Just ordered the mirror via the link above, so will advise when done. Thanks again to all!
 

xkaes

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If you have any interest in taking shots of the procedure -- you're not the only one interested in this -- I'd be glad to post them in the Olympus Pen F section of the SUBCLUB (with full credit, of course).
 
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Maximus966

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xkaes said:
If you have any interest in taking shots of the procedure -- you're not the only one interested in this -- I'd be glad to post them in the Olympus Pen F section of the SUBCLUB (with full credit, of course).
Click to expand...

VERY INTERESTED!!! I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!!!
 

xkaes

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Just let me know when the surgery is over -- and good luck!
 

r_a_feldman

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I was traveling and missed this thread, or I would have replied sooner.

I have replaced the mirror in my Pen FT and previously posted pictures online at https://hauslendale.com/kyp/index.php?topic=340.0 and https://hauslendale.com/kyp/index.php?topic=339.0 . The dimensions given in these posts are in inches.

I bought a small piece of first-surfaced mirror on eBay and, as I am not good at cutting glass, I had it cut to size and shape at a glass shop. I also completely removed the meter, so I needed to make a new retainer plate to hold the mirror in place. If your replacement mirror is the same thickness as the original and you are not removing the meter, then you should not need to make the retainer plate.

There are excellent and well illustrated instructions on disassembling the Pen FT at https://www.olypedia.de/index.php?title=DEMO_an_PEN_FT. The text is in German, but Google Translate works well enough.

HTH, Bob
 
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Maximus966

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Thanks!

Mirror on the way, so we'll see how it turns out.

Thanks again!
 

Patrick Robert James

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I replaced the mirror in my FT not long after i bought it. I ended up using a 60/40 IIRC. I wanted to keep the meter otherwise I would have just used a regular mirror. The brightness of the image is the bugaboo of the Pens. Part of the problem is the focussing screen. There used to be someone in Japan that would put a modern screen in them which I think would really improve them. A new mirror in the FT will make a difference though. It isn't difficult to replace the mirror.
 

r_a_feldman

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How accurate was your meter after the change? I ask because if the transmittance of the new mirror is not the same as the standard one, the meter will get a different light intensity than it is expecting and your meter reading will be off.
 

Patrick Robert James

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r_a_feldman said:
How accurate was your meter after the change? I ask because if the transmittance of the new mirror is not the same as the standard one, the meter will get a different light intensity than it is expecting and your meter reading will be off.
Click to expand...

I recalibrated it so it is fine. I don't recall ever finding out what the original mirror was.
 

aconbere

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Interesting about the focusing screen, I have both and F and an FT and the difference in brightness has never been enough for me to get excited about new mirror on the FT. Now a new focusing screen…
 

Patrick Robert James

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aconbere said:
Interesting about the focusing screen, I have both and F and an FT and the difference in brightness has never been enough for me to get excited about new mirror on the FT. Now a new focusing screen…
Click to expand...

You might want to replace the mirror in the F. The old mirrors definitely deteriorate.

I wish I could put a new screen in my FT. I can barely focus with the prism area. It is almost as bad as trying to focus a super 8. I miss focus with the FT far more than any other camera. In fact it really is the only camera that I do miss focus with and it happens a lot. A nice modern split screen would be perfecto. One can dream.
 

r_a_feldman

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I agree with you that focusing with the standard screen is a PITA.

Kanto Camera (https://www.kantocamera.com/english/repair/olympus/index.html) is the company that did the screen replacements. The information on the bottom of their web page is not clear, but it seems that they no longer have parts to do the replacement.

The F screen is harder to replace than the FT/FV screen, as the screen is bonded in some way to the porro prism. In either case, major disassembly is required to get the prism and screen out.
 
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