I have always loved shooting on film. Whether it be on my Pentax, borrowing my friend’s Hasselblad or a good old disposable camera. Something about trusting in your instincts, taking considered shots, and being careful not to waste any film has always seemed much more romantic to me. Not to mention the dreamy aesthetic that comes along with film photography. It often helps me to see the beauty in the ordinary. So read on to see my first roll of film and review of the Olympus Pen EE-3 :)
Table of Contents:
A little background on the Olympus Pen EE-3
This little Olympus Pen EE-3 has been around since 1961. Made in Japan, it is one of the smallest cameras to use 35mm film. It has a 28mm f/3.5 lens. Unlike a lot of film cameras, the Olympus Pen EE-3 has a light meter around the lens. This helps you to save on film as this clever lil’ camera won’t allow you to take the shot if there’s not enough light. This can be a little annoying at times as it flat out WILL NOT take a photo, but more often than not, it’s really handy.
Half-Frame, Double the Shots
Perhaps most notably, the camera is ‘half frame’ or ‘split frame’ if you like. It may be obvious to some, but this means you can get two shots per frame. 36-frame roll will give you 72 half frames. Ya see? The viewfinder is portrait due to this. The EE-3 model has a mount, so a flash can be added, though I’ve been using it without. So, without further ado, here are a few shots from my FIRST role of film from the Olympus Pen EE-3…
Travel-Friendly Size
Another great thing about this camera is simply how it looks! It’s so cute and small, and just a really aesthetically pleasing piece of cute. Its size not only makes it look cute and compact, but it also makes it the perfect option for travelers and nomads! Often times it can be hard to choose what gear to bring on a trip with you because of the size it’ll take up, but the Olympus Pen EE-3 is perfect for slipping in your hand luggage. Meaning you’re ready to capture shots on your journey.
The size means it’s also incredibly lightweight and can hang from your neck all day with minimal discomfort. I personally think it also makes a good-looking accessory. The size is also ideal for street photography, as you can be a little sneakier.
Shots from the Olympus Pen EE-3
Review
Overall, I am loving shooting on this little camera. It’s so light, weighing in at only 350 grams, but it still feels really solid and durable. To use it in auto mode, you simply need to set it to the speed of the film you’ve put in. This makes it such an easy and fun camera to shoot with. You can use it in auto mode if you’re unwilling to risk your shot or get creative and experiment with your settings.
I hope you have enjoyed my first roll of film, my shots of Korea, and my review of the Olympus-Pen EE-3! Please let me know your thoughts about this little camera and the images I have created. If you’re wanting to try it out for yourself, you can order from Japan HERE.