Olympus Pen-W, anyone?

[taffer]

I'm curious.

In Roger & Frances Rangefinder book, this camera, the Olympus Pen-W is mentioned (and pictured), stating that is (or was) Roger Hicks' ultimate backup camera.

Indeed it looks like a tiny cute half frame rangefinder. Has anybody here had any experience with it or could give some more details about it ?

TIA,

Oscar

 

[pshinkaw]

One of Jason Schneider's books describes it. It is basically a black Olympus Pen-S with an extra-wide angle lens (either a 24mm or 28mm) and a finder to match. Very rare. I saw one on e-Bay about a year-and-a-half ago. It was going for several hundred dollars.

If it is only a 28mm lens, I think you can find a Canon Demi with a similar lens for the same functionality.

-Paul

 

[aizan]

more like 35mm. the pen s is like 40mm. i like my pen s, and would like a pen w, but they're about $400-500 due to rarity.

 

[taffer]

Thanks Paul ! The reference to the S allowed me to find some more information.

Seems the W had a 25mm 2.8 lens, S was 30mm. Focus on both S and W was by zones, with click stops at some points.

http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Olympus_Pen#The_Pen_and_Pen_S
http://corsopolaris.net/supercameras/half/halformat4s.html

Oscar

 

[kbg32]

It is a great little camera. A bit rare and pricey on ebay.

"The Pen Wide

The Pen W or Pen Wide is a very rare variant of the Pen S model, with a wide angle 25mm f:2.8 lens, equivalent to a 35mm in full format. It only exists in black finish, and has a cold flash shoe. It was only produced between 1964 and 1965, and today fetches high prices on the collectors' market."

Daido Moriyama used one for his book, "'71 NY".

 

[Ergo]

2 words

RARE RARE

 

[taffer]

2 words

RARE RARE

groan... 😀

 

[aizan]

let's "borrow" it from roger.