Olympus Pen-EE.S
Olympus introduced the Pen series in 1959. Designed to be as portable as a pen, get it. Not only was it incredibly small but it also was stingy with film. To make your film last, the Pen series was a half frame camera using standard 35mm film. TheOlympus Pen-EE.S launched in 1962 and added a higher aptitude lens and zone focus ring.
What a great pocket camera! especially for 1962. I love the Minox 35 and the EE.S is not as small as the Minox but it does feel better built and has better styling.
The operation of the EE.S was simple. ASA only allow for up to 200 ASA film. Focus was a small ring on the center of the lens. Focus ring was a bit small for my fat fingers but not a big problem. Nothing in the view finder to tell you where the focus is set so you have to look before you shoot. The big shock comes when you look through the viewfinder. It has a vertical orientation vs the normal horizontal orientation of most 35mm cameras. Also, a roll never seems to end: 24=48 and 36=72 exposers. I really could carry this without an extra roll of film on most days.
My Take:
The EE.S is nice in the hand. Feels well built and looks great. The shock was the horizontal orientation due to the half frame. It was good because it make me stop and think about composition. I don't plan to make this my default camera but it was good to shot just to jolt my thinking about orientation and subjects. I found myself looking for tall subjects, tree, building, etc. I only loaded a 24 exposure roll, thankfully. I don't think I could have taken the anticipation of 72 shots. I think for someone doing lots of street portraits, this could be an interesting format.
Lens: fixed Olympus D.Zuiko 3cm 2.8
Film: FujiColor Super HQ 200