The Olympus PEN D, released in June 1962, was an eye-catching and stylish camera that appealed to both professionals and amateur photographers. It presented itself with a shiny chrome housing, black leather and the striking engraving "Olympus - PEN" and "PEN - D" on the top.
Compared to its predecessor, the PEN D offered some differences, both in terms of technology and design. One of the most striking differences was certainly the lens. It was an F.Zuiko lens with a focal length of 32mm and a maximum aperture of f/1.9.
This lens featured six lens elements in five groups and offered an aperture range of f/1.9 to 16, allowing the photographer to focus from as close as 0.8m to infinity.
The PEN D featured a selenium light meter positioned next to the viewfinder window. Thanks to a display on the top cap of the camera, the light values could be easily read. Despite this modern feature, exposure values and focusing had to be set manually. This was typical of many cameras at the time and gave the photographer some control over the image.
The PEN D's shutter was a Copal X, offering shutter speeds from 1/8th to 1/500th of a second. There is also a bulb mode. The flash sync was X-type, meaning it was compatible with most popular flashes.
Despite being compact, the camera weighed around 400 grams and measured 108 x 67 x 50mm. Modern conveniences also included being battery-free, making her a reliable choice for longer trips.
When it was launched, the Olympus PEN D was priced at 13,800 yen, which was quite competitive considering its features and design. Today you usually pay 168,79 € for a used copy.
Suitable films for the Olympus PEN D
Which films are ideal for the Olympus PEN D? This model works with 35mm film, which is still available on the market and easily accessible despite the advance of digitization.
If you are looking for recommended films for this sleek camera from Japan, the Kodak Gold 200* for vivid color shots and the Ilford Delta 100* for impressive black and white images may be just the right thing for you. Of course there are also many other film options that harmonize with the PEN D.
The exposure size of the camera is 24mm x 18mm. This means that you can take up to 72 shots with this handy camera from a single roll of film.
Despite its compact design, the PEN D does not have an automatic film transport. After each individual shot, the photographer has to advance the film manually. Thankfully, there's an easy-to-use thumbwheel on the back of the camera to make this process easier.
