Olympus Pen FT User manual

1
• Explanations are given on how to handle the various parts. Read
the explanations according to the leader numbers illustrated .
13

You can take pictures simply in the following manner
1Load
the camera
(see page 15).
3
2
Set the ASA rating
of your film (see
page 10). 3
Determine the exposure . (see page 18)
1) First set the sh utter speed, or
2) First set the Through·The·Lens number .

~=====:==:::::=:==:::::========================= [FlY
4
Advance the film .
(see page 9) 5
Hold the camera
steady and com ·
pose your picture
(see page 20) 6
Set the focus
(see page 14). 7Press
the shutter
button quietly .
4

Component parts: ,
Ca rrying stra p
rin g
Film
Film speed setting window
5 Lens release
button
button
Film rewind crank
photometer Film rewind knob
Rear cover release
Self timer lever
focus scale
~- --- I- -- Pre- view button
Lens
ns aperture scale ring
hrough - The-Lens number )

============~======== ~lr
Film advance lever
Synchroniz i ng socket Range finder Sprocket
(M & X contacts point)
Film rewind
shaft
Take-up spool
Rewind release button
Back cover
Film
Lens aperture scale ring (F number)
Film g uide rail
Shutter curtain
prongs
6

7
Main features: " rc::::'9"'?
~--~~~~~~~~U
Picture size
Lens
Lens
replacement
Shutter
Synchronizing
Viewfinder
Mirror
Loading
Film advancing
Film counter
Film rewinding
Focus adjustment
Exposure adjustment
Light measuring range:
Light acceptor
Power source
Film speed rating scale:
Self-timer
Rear cover operation
Size & weight
24x18mm
(with Fl_2 standard lens) H Zuiko Auto S, FL2, f=42mm,
(with FL4 standard lens) G Zuiko Auto S, FlA, f=40mm,
(with FL8 standard lens) F Zuiko Auto S, FL8 , f=38mm,
All lenses have fully automatic diaphragm and are marked on Through-
The .- Lens numbers and F-numbers_
Bayonet system ("Pen" mount)
Olympus rotary metal focal-plane shutter; B_ 1-1/500 sec_ (equaly cali-
brated) one-pivot non rotating shutter speed dial
All shutter speeds synchronization with M & X contacts point switch
Porroprism finder, magnification 0_8X (standard lens), with microprism
and special Fresnel lens
Horizontally opening shockless quick return mirror
EL (easy loading) system
I-stroke lever type with an advancing stroke angle of 150 degrees ,
self-cocking to prevent double advances and double exposures
Exposed counting , self-resetting type
Crank type rewind button setting system
Direct advancing helicoid system, minimum close-up distance 35cm
Through-The-Lens number system, both open and stopped-down aper ·
ture methods available
EV3-EV17 (ASA 100) with FL4 standard lens
Extra-large CdS meter , average light measurement method
Mercury battery (L3 volts)
ASA 25-400
Lever system (90 degrees) actuated in about 11 seconds
"Magic" locking hinge system
(with FL2 standard lens) 127 (W) x6 9_5 (H) x 77_5 (D) mm, 720 gr_
(with FL4 standard lens) 127 (W) x69.5 (H)x68 .5 (D) mm, 630 gr.
(with Fl.8 standard lens) 127 (Wlx69.5 (H) x62 .5 (D) mm, 600gr_

Fitting the mercury battery; IIIIIIII f29'"f1
~~--~~~~~~~~U
To actuate the light meter, insert the mercury
battery (1.3V) correctly into the battery com·
partment at the bottom of the camera.
The
battery is the power source for built·in
exposure meter.
1. Fit a coin into the slot on the cover of
the battery compartment and turn the cover
counter·clockwise for removal.
2.
Put in the battery, as illustrated, so
that the (+ ) end of the battery faces out ·
wards, and screw in the cover firmly .
When
the battery runs out , its performance
fails sharply and the meter ceases to function .
Take care
to replace the battery after about
one year of use.
Recommendable
batteries are replacement
National M· lD, Toshiba TH· Me, Mallory RM
625, Eveready E625, General No. 625, etc.
8

1Opening the back cover: 20perating the film advance 3 Film counter:
lever: ------------------
? ~~ . ~c
Lift the film rewind crank and
pull up the knob until it comes
to its first stop . At this point,
pull it up further; then the rear
cover opens automatically. To
close it , press the cover until it
clicks . To rewind the film (see
page 19)
or tighten the film (see
page 18),
turn the rewind crank
in the direction of the arrow .
9
1. Move out the advance lever in
a single strok e (preliminary lead
angle 13 °). In picture taking , bring
the lever to this point, as it facio
litates the next advancing motion .
2.
From this point, advance the
lever until it stops, then the film is
advanced one frame and the shutter
release can be actuated (advancing
stroke angle 13]0). Be sure to ad·
vance the lever until it stops; other ·
wise it does not return to starting
position . Don't force it to return
from the middle position of a stroke .
3. Squeeze
the release button
gently ; then the shutter i~ actuated
and the film can be advanced for
the next exposure .
The film counter starts
from " S" and continues
through 72, counting by
4s . i. e. S, 1, 4, 8,12 ,
16 , etc .
Single frames are ad·
vance by the film ad·
vance lever but, due
to size, this is not in·
dicated on the film
counter.
The orange colored ar ·
row shows the number
of frames exposed.
When
the rear cover
is opened, the film
counter returns to "S "
automatically .

The shutter dial shows shutter speeds, B, 1,
2, 4, etc., up to 500.
To set shutter speed, turn the dial until the
corresponding number is aligned with the red
dot. B (bulb)-In this setting, the shutter leaf
is opened when the shutter release button
is pressed, and will remain open until it is
released. B is used when exposures of longer
than one second are desired. The numbers
1 through 500 stand for fractions of a second.
i.e. l=lsec ., 2=Yzsec., etc. through 500=
1/500 sec. The sh utter d ia I is not turned
between Band 500. (one·pivot non rotating
system)
For the correct speed, ensure that the number
is perfectly matched with the red dot. Speed
may be set either before or after advancing
the film.
The small window located between Band 1
on
the shutter dial is the film speed setting
window . Pull out the shutter dial ring slightly
and turn it to have the ASA rating of your
film appear at the center of the window.
ASA scale: 25 , (32), (40), 50, (64), (80),100,
(125), (160), 200, (250), (320), 400
10

6 Lens release button (lens replacement): IIIIIIII
Bayonet.mounted lenses for the Pen FT are easily removed
and replaced. On the base of the lens, there are two buttons,
one of which is marked with a red L (Lock). This is the lens
release
button .
First, hold the camera in the left hand and grasp the base
of the lens with the right hand. Then press the lens release
button with the thumb of the right hand and turn the lens
in a clockwise direction until it stops. The lens is removed
by pulling it away from . the camera body.
To
remount the lens, insert it carefully into the body, align·
ing the red mark (8) on the lens with the red dot on the body.
Turn the lens in a counter·clockwise direction until the lens
release button (L) returns with a click.
It is not necessary to move the lens release button when
mounting the lens.
Lens dismounting
Lens mounting

7 Pre-view button "
-(to verify Fj stop selection): ~~=====
The unmarked button on the
base of the lens is called
the " Pre·view button" . Even
after the F/ stop on the Pen
FT
is set, it will not close
down to this opening unless
the shutter release button
is pressed . At all other times
the lens diaphragm is wide
open. This fully automatic
diaphragm system allows
focusing and framing at full
brightness .
The pre·view button on the
Pen FT closes the pre·set
opening, making it possible
to see the subject through
the viewfinder with the same
brightness as that of the
F/ stop setting. (See section
8 & 11, Depth of Focus & Dis-
tance Scale.) This ensures
perfect focusi ng of both
subject and background .
8 Reading the depth
of focus scale:
--
The depth of focus is in-
dicated by a set numbers ;
4, 8 and 16 ; which corres -
pond to lens openings and
are written on each side of
the red mark (6 )- Reading
the depth of focus is ex -
plained by the following ex -
ample : The distance be-
tween the camera and the
subject is 3 meters and the
F/ stop setting is 16 . Depth
of focus is ind icated be-
tween 16 to the left of the
mark (1.5 m) and 16 to the
right of the mark (co)
The focused range can also
be determined by pressing
the pre-view button while
viewing through the finder ,
as explained in Section 7.

13
9 The "RIP scale:
This is the infra-red in-
dicator. To use infra-red
sensitive film, set the focus
first and then reset the
fOcu's to be line to the "R"
mark _ Infra -red photography
requires a red filter_
10 FjStop ring: ,
The silver ring at the front
of the lens barrel is F/ stop
ring _ On the upside of the
ring are engraved a series of
Through-The -Lens numbers
(see page 17) from 0 to 6,
and on
the downside a
series
of F- numbers (F / stop
values) from 1.4 or 1.8 to
16_ The larger the F/ stop
number , the smaller the F/ j
stop value_ Turn this ring
and align the Through -The-
Lens
number you need with
the black center dot.
* The Through-The -Lens
number can use midway
scale readings which the
sh utter speed ca n not _
* Pull forward the F/ stop
ring and turn it around then
you can set F-number on
the upside _
* To verify complete setting ,
make certain that the two
ends of the ring do not move
after the ring has been set.

11 Distance scale ring: "
While viewing through the finder, turn the
distance scale ring in either direction until
the subject is most clearly visible. Thanks to
a microprism installed, you can get a sharp
focus so easily . The shutter release button
may then be pressed . Clear, sharp photo·
graphy .
The distance scale ring has scales in two
different colors ; white (meters) and yellow
(feet). These indicate distance between the
camera and the subject in focus . A big fea·
ture of Pen FT is that it permits close-up
photography up to 35 cm without use of any
accessory.
14

Loading the camera: I11III
The Pen FT uses stand ·
ard size 35 mm film .
which is available any·
where .
The pictures are "Pen "
size (15 /16x ll /16 inches) .
half of the 35 mm film
size (13/8 x 17 /8 inches).
This size is very eco·
nomical. especially for
colored slides. because
72 pictures can be taken
on a roll of 36 and 40
on il rol! of 20 .
15
1Open
the rear cover ,
(see page
9)
2
Put the film into the
film compartment .
If the rewind knob
does not return to its
home position. press it
in while slightly turning
it clockwise or counter·
clockwise ; then it clicks
in easily ,
3
Hold and lead out
the film a little with
the right hand while
slig htly pressin g the '
cartrid ge with the left
hand and insert the film
end into any of the six
grooves on
the take · up
spool.

======================EFl[
4
Advance the film so
that the perfo·
rations engage the
sprocket gear.
*When
the film is insert·
ed in, the film end may
run out of the other
side of the spool. Even
in that case, continue
to advance the film.
5
At this point, actu·
ate the shutter and
advance the film
further so that the per·
forations on both sides
engage with the sprocket
gear.
6 Close
the reC)r
cover. At th~s
point, for additio ·
nal
safety, lift up the
rewind crank and turn
it lightly until it meets
c. 4iiIIi1lii:iiiii"' __ "~ resistance indicating
; that the film is tight ·
, ened
enough.
7
Operate the advance lever and actuate the
shutter . Repeat this motion until the film
counter shows the number 1. From this
point, start taking pictures. If the rewind knob
turns during the repeated motion , this shows
that the film is being advanced properly .
i
16

12 Through·The·Lens photometer:
• Through-The-Lens Metering System
S.ml.,,,,, •• ,,,,, mirr or
17
• P. hotometer indication window
II1II
The Through ·The·Lens system to meas·
ure the amount of light passing through
the takin g lens operates in two different
ways; the open aperture and stopped ·
down aperture methods . The Olympus
Pen FT per mits applyin g either the " open
aperture" or the "stopped· down aperture"
method with the same lens and moreover
completely compensates for all measure·
ment errors talked a bout on conventional
Through ·The·Lens system cameras. It
represents th e most advanced Through ·
The·Lens system ever developed in the
world. Looking throu gh the. viewfinder ,
you see the
photometer in·
dication win ·
dow at the left
hand . The win·
dow carries
8 a series
of
1if' Through · The ·
1::7 Lens numbers
from 0 to 7.
These
num ·
bers enable
you to deter ·
mine the cor "
rect exposure
with ease.

How to set the exposure: (Open aperture method)
1 When you first determine the shutter
speed:
First determine the proper shutter speed
according to the conditions of your subject.
Select 1/30 or 1/ 60 of a second for indoor
photography or dim subject; 1/ 125 or 1/250
of a second for outdoor photography or bright
subjects. Next look at your subject through
the viewfinder, read the Through·The·Lens
number indicated by the pointer, and set that
number to Through · The·Lens number marked
on the F/stop ring. Then you have the correct
exposure.
• When the light meter window index enters the top
or bottom red zone, it means the shutter speed
preset is not proper. Reset the speed.
Note :'When the shutter speed is set at 0.5 or 1 second,
meanwhile, a red shift zone appears. •
'When the black needle in the light meter window
enters the top or bottom red zone and / or point out
the Through · The·Lens number that is not marked
on the Lens aperture scale ring, it means the
shutter speed preset is not proper. Reset the speed.
2 When you first determine the Through -
The-Lens number:
First set the proper Through·The·Lens
number marked on the F/ stop ring according
to the conditions of your subject. (Consult the
F·number appearing on the downside of the
ring.) You should take 1 or 2 for indoor
photography or dim subjects and 4 or 5 for
outdoor photography or bright subjects. Next
looking at your subject through the view -
finder, turn the shutter dial , and have the
pointer of the photometer indication window
indicate the Through·The · Lens number just
you pre·set. Then you have the correct ex-
posure.
* Note that you will have the 8 (bulpl exposure if
you turn the shutter dial counter·clockwise till it
stops .
18

(Stopped-down aperture method)
Determine your exposure by the stopped ·
down aperture method if you wish to measure
the amount of light With the same brightness
as that of the aperture setting pressing down
the pre·view button or when you practice
special photography .
Look through the viewfinder with the aper ·
ture stopped down and adjust with either the
shutter dial or the F/ stop ring so that the
pointer of the photometer i ndication window
may i ndicate the minimum Through·The·Lens
number engraved on the ring. Now you have
the proper exposure .
• Attachment of Eye correction lens a-
dapter is recommendable for measur-
ing secure light condition"
How to utilize the old interchange-
-able lenses:
------- ----,----
Owners of the Olympus interchangeable lenses
without Through·The·Lens numbers can stick
this Through·The·Lens number seal to the
lenses when using them ".
• How to stick the seal:
1) Strip off the back paper of the seal.
2) Stick the seal to the aperture ring surface
that is inscribed with the F numbers. Keep
the ring open (click stop), stick the seal so the
first number on the seal may fit to the index .
* Length of the seal is equal to that of the
surface inscribed with the F numbers.
• Note: Take care not to rub the seal or
wipe it with such chemicals as alcohol or
ether , in which the numbers will be erased.