Got me a new Pen!

[02Pilot]

I used to have an EES-2; I liked a lot of things about it, but the auto-only setup was not one of them. After a suitable interval, I tracked down and purchased this little number:

It needed some cleaning and repair (the meter still doesn't work, but I couldn't care less about that), but everything important now seems to be up and running as it should. Test roll is in, so we'll see what it can do once I get that finished (which could take a while, given the 72 exposures).

 

[jesse1dog]

Not the most common PenD either!
It's a great feeling when you pick up just what you have been looking for.
In this case memories from far back too!
Wonder where my PenD went to?
jesse

 

[nikon_sam]

Never seen that one...with the D on it all the kids will think it's Digital...and 72 shots on a roll will take some time to finish...

 

[Spicy]

24exp rolls would be 48, which would still take a while but far more manageable than 72. half-frame certainly does cut down on film/dev costs, eh?

not sure about availability, but i can't imagine it being all that different (not like 24exp rolls are rare or anything, just that most consumers are full-frame shooters and i would guess that sales are becoming more tipped towards 36exp rolls).

 

[Doug]

I used to have a similar Pen D2, and I regret selling it on... Enjoy the new treasure!

 

[02Pilot]

It's true I could use a 24-exposure roll for faster turnover, but somehow I always seem to end up with rolls of 36 (probably simple economics - the price differential seems negligible in most cases). If the need strikes I can set up some shorter rolls the next time I fill the bulk loader.

That said I shot a bunch yesterday, so I'm now at least into the second half of the roll. I'll post samples here provided something doesn't go embarrassingly wrong between now and when I finish and develop it.

 

[zuiko85]

Test roll is in, so we'll see what it can do once I get that finished (which could take a while, given the 72 exposures).[/QUOTE]

See you this fall!

Just kidding, (but not by much).

I have a gaggle of VF Pens, well actually 3 operating ones and completing a roll can be tiresome. But, since all I shoot in them is B&W if I get say, halfway through a roll sometimes I'll just go into the darkroom with a tank and reel, snip off the exposed portion, load it and just reload the remaining film. I've done a strip as short as about 15 inchs.

Good looking camera by the way. With a f1.7 lens, fast film and a shutter that goes down to 1/8 sec you could get into some seriously dim available light photography.

 

[Godfrey]

Interesting model.. I hadn't seen that one before.

I have three Pen EEs (different models) sitting in a box in the closet. They're fun ... I've gotten around the dead meters by switching to flash mode where at least I have one shutter speed and a range of apertures to work with. I was going to have Essex replace the selenium cell for me, but they're gone now. Anyone else doing that kind of repair work these days?

G

 

[Rodchenko]

Beautiful. I've picked up a D myself recently, but it needs its shutter rebuilding. There's a D3 on ebay at the moment, but it's a lot of money. Glad you've got one now. Hope you enjoy it, and I can't wait to see the photos.

 

[02Pilot]

Beautiful. I've picked up a D myself recently, but it needs its shutter rebuilding. There's a D3 on ebay at the moment, but it's a lot of money. Glad you've got one now. Hope you enjoy it, and I can't wait to see the photos.

FWIW, shutter rebuilding isn't that hard. I had mine completely apart - all the way down to the shutter blades. It comes apart pretty logically (there's a set of photos on Flickr that helped) and there's not much to get in trouble with except for potentially losing the tiny bushing on the cocking arm and a small ball bearing that provides the click-stops to the shutter speed dial. The Copal shutter has six blades, even though only five are visible; the sixth apparently goes behind the first to provide additional support.

If you're inclined to tear into it, don't hesitate to ask if you need advice. I was inside mine only a couple weeks ago, so it's still pretty fresh.

BTW, I couldn't find the one on Ebay - what's the price?

For Godfrey, I wish I knew of someone who did selenium cells, but I don't. If you're the experimental sort, I understand some people have successfully used solar cells (from calculators and such) in place of dead selenium cells. Might make for an interesting experiment.

 

[kbg32]

All the Pens are great. I have owned and have used almost all. I have a nice 1/2 frame camera collection as well. The last great 1/2 frame camera was the Yashica Samurai. Looks like a video camera. Ultra sharp lens too.

Here's a great submini camera source - http://www.subclub.org/

Enjoy!

 

[02Pilot]

I've got a Samurai Z as well. It's a very odd camera to use (I don't mean that in a bad way), but it does produce some nice photos.

 

[Doug]

...I have three Pen EEs (different models) sitting in a box in the closet. They're fun ... I've gotten around the dead meters by switching to flash mode where at least I have one shutter speed and a range of apertures to work with. I was going to have Essex replace the selenium cell for me, but they're gone now. Anyone else doing that kind of repair work these days?

G

Godfrey, these guys may or may not be still around... they rebuilt a Weston meter for me in 2008...

Quality Light Metric Co.
7095 Hollywood Blvd. #550
Los Angeles CA 90028
323/467-2265
323/850-5300
georgepmilton@worldnet.att.net

 

[Rodchenko]

FWIW, shutter rebuilding isn't that hard. I had mine completely apart - all the way down to the shutter blades. It comes apart pretty logically (there's a set of photos on Flickr that helped) and there's not much to get in trouble with except for potentially losing the tiny bushing on the cocking arm and a small ball bearing that provides the click-stops to the shutter speed dial. The Copal shutter has six blades, even though only five are visible; the sixth apparently goes behind the first to provide additional support.

If you're inclined to tear into it, don't hesitate to ask if you need advice. I was inside mine only a couple weeks ago, so it's still pretty fresh.

Thanks. I might see if I can find some guidance, though i am not very good at delicate stuff. 😱

BTW, I couldn't find the one on Ebay - what's the price?

There's a D2 on for a BIN of GBP90, and a D3 (at least, I think it was a D3) sold last night for GBP122! 😱

 

[02Pilot]

Wow. I found the listing (yes, it was a D3). That's USD200; granted that one is in better shape than mine, but still it seems a lot. I may reevaluate that statement after I see what the photos look like, however (fingers crossed that it lives up to its reputation).

 

[Rodchenko]

To think I missed a D3EL for the starting price of about 25GBP a few months back (I was unexpectedly busy when the auction ended, so not on a lunch break, and didn't even bid for it)! Never got relisted 🙁

 

[02Pilot]

Finally got the test roll finished and developed, so here are a few samples. TMax 400 in Caffenol-C-L for 40min @ 18C semi-stand. Scanned at 2400dpi.

And here's a 100% crop of the last one:

Not too bad for a tiny little 18x24 negative. I think I did OK.

 

[Doug]

Looking good! That's a fine little camera. My D2 was a favorite for motorcycle trips.

 

[zuiko85]

Where is the bridge? I really like the prespective of that shot. The close up's are not to shabby either.

 

[02Pilot]

It would be great for motorcycle trips; I don't have a motorcycle, but I do road and mountain bike, and I'm sure it will come along (splitting time with a couple other compact cameras).

That's the Bear Mountain Bridge across the Hudson River in New York, as seen from the top of Anthony's Nose on the east bank (it's a good camera for hiking, too).