Pen EES-2 or Canon Demi EE17?

[02Pilot]

Looking at two potential purchases and figured I could use some opinions. I want a small 35mm camera that I can carry with me while bicycling - needs to fit into a small bike-mounted bag, and space and weight are at a premium. I have a Pentax Auto 110, which is a great size, but the lack of available 110 film makes it a no-go. I'm considering the Pen EES-2 or the Canon Demi EE17. I prefer the full-manual capability of the Canon, but these seem less commonly available than the Pens. So the questions are: 1) Which would you choose and why, and 2) How much should I expect to pay for each? Thanks.

 

[Andrew K]

The Olympus doesn't need batteries for the meter - the Canon does...

I personally would pick a Canon demi - the original one. The selenium meters seem to have held up well - they have manual exposure, and are compact.

I've owned a few half frames - just about all of them produce great photos - Agfa, Minolta, Ricoh, even the FED's...

I would expect to piuck one up for $30-50. You may need to replace the foam in the back door - allow another $15 for the foam...

Cheers

Andrew

 

[Les Sarile]

The Pentax M series and Olympus OM's are smallest of the SLR's. Their lenses were also made smaller then their full size counterparts . . .

The MX and OM-1 or 3 only require batteries for metering.

 

[02Pilot]

Thanks for the replies. A 35mm SLR, even a small one, is likely going to be too large and heavy; if I had that much space I'd just pack my FED-2. I have mixed feelings about the half-frame concept, but I'm willing to try it out if it means a small, lightweight film option. If I can't find a decent example I'll just have to carry a small digital for the moment.

 

[Ian Grant]

If you liked 110 then half frame is the way to go, but if your using a lab for processing check they can handle the format first or find one that can.

I had a Canon Demi until a friend borrowed it and dropped it and now have an Olympus PenEE of the two I much preferred the Canon, but both are excellent cameras with sharp lenses and usually found at very reasonable prices. You may not find the exact models you've specified but overall quality should be a bit better than 110.

Ian

 

[Les Sarile]

Thanks for the replies. A 35mm SLR, even a small one, is likely going to be too large and heavy; if I had that much space I'd just pack my FED-2.

Perhaps another reference in size for something you are familiar with.

I don't know what's more surprising with the MX, it's small size or it's huge VF. That it has the biggest VF of all SLRs is truly amazing!

 

[02Pilot]

If you liked 110 then half frame is the way to go, but if your using a lab for processing check they can handle the format first or find one that can.

I had a Canon Demi until a friend borrowed it and dropped it and now have an Olympus PenEE of the two I much preferred the Canon, but both are excellent cameras with sharp lenses and usually found at very reasonable prices. You may not find the exact models you've specified but overall quality should be a bit better than 110.

Ian

Well, to say that I liked 110 might be overstating it. I haven't shot much film in quite a while, but I do still have the Auto 110 that I used quite a lot before I got my Pentax SFX. I don't really recall much about it or its image quality, but it feels nice in my hand and its small size is a big plus for this particular application. Of course, this is moot, since 110 has gone the way of the dodo.

I'm having my film handled by a local camera shop that does develop-only; I then run it through my scanner. Half-frame 35mm shouldn't be a problem for them.

I sort of came to the conclusion that I preferred the greater manual flexibility of the Canon Demi, but the EE17s are priced a little higher than I would like for what is very much a secondary-use camera. Being impatient, I picked up the Olympus EES-2 that I had spotted at a local shop. Given the choice, I prefer to inspect my potential purchases in person rather than via a few pictures and a vague description the internet. It needs light seals and the aperture is stuck, but that will be rectified. Photos to follow when it's ready to go.

 

[02Pilot]

Here's picture of the new addition alongside the rest of the collection. I replaced the light seals, unstuck the aperture blades (they were REALLY stuck), and cleaned everything thoroughly. The meter works and the whole thing seems to have seen little use. I shot a quick test roll, which seems to have turned out OK.