The Olympus Pen D was released in 1962. The Pen D was developed as an advanced model of Pen and Pen S. Both the Pen S and Pen D were positioned as sub cameras of the original Pen. But more demanding photographers required a higher specified half-frame format camera than the original Pen. Of course other manufacturers released many half-frame cameras as competition and Olympus wished to keep its share at half-frame camera market. The project D started in 1960 and Pen D released in 1962. First in the series came the Pen D that had a much faster lens than the original Pen and a built-in Selenium cell meter. Second, the Pen D2 had a built in CdS meter. Third, the Pen D3 had a slightly faster lens at F1.7. There were many features in Pen D series, but its size and weight were only slightly larger than the original Pen. This was a very important policy for Mr. Maitani, to keep his new models at a similar size to the first Pen. Compactness and mobility were very important factors in his policy. But there was no compromise on quality. It's magic!

Released date:October 1962

Lens:manual focusing F Zuiko 32mm f1.9-16, 4group with 6element,single helicoid, 0.8m-infinity

Shutter:Copal #000, B and 1/8-1/500 second with PC connection

Finder:albada bright type x0.5

Meter: Selenium type

Film advance:rear winding thumb wheel, self-cocking, double exposure prevention

Size:108x67x50mm,420g

Price:13800yen

-Lens-

Pen D had a much faster lens compared to the original Pen. The F.Zuiko 32mm f1.9 was designed to answer the requests from more advanced users and is noted for high resolution, high contrast, and low flare. Also useful is that the filter does not turn when the user rotates the focus ring on Pen D, a criticism of the early Pen. In 1965 the Pen D3 was released. The D3 had a faster lens (F. Zuiko 32mm f1.7). This model was released in order to keep the company's share of half-frame camera market.

-Shutter-

Pen D had a faster shutter than Pen for making good use of high-speed lens. (Pen: max1/200 v Pen D: max1/500).

-Finder Cover-

Pen D had a selenium meter built into the finder cover. It required more space in the finder cover, so the finder system was simpler than the earlier Pen. In 1964, Pen D2 was released. Pen D2 had a CdS meter in the finder cover operated by a mercury battery housed inside the camera beneath the pick-up spool.

-Top Cover-

Pen D had a light value meter on the top plate operated by selenium meter (Pen had no meter). The range of LV meter was LV7 to LV17. Pen D2 (1964) and Pen D3 (1965) had a more sensitive and responsive LV meter operated by CdS meter (LV3 to LV17).

-Top Cover 2-

The shutter button was rectangular type, same as the Pen. It's easy to release the shutter with camera held vertically. The cable socket was in the opposite position compared with Pen. The film counter was count down type.

-Bottom-

The bottom cover was same as the Pen. There was a clutch release button, a tripod socket and a lock mechanism.

-Compare with Pen F-

It's very convenient for user to use Pen F with Pen D. Because of the same shutter speed range and filter size (43mm). Of course the Pen F had no meter but Pen D had. The user can use Pen D as a sub-camera and transfer the exposure meter settings from one camera to the other. Perhaps Mr. Maitani designed Pen D with this in mind!