While the 'Compact Comeback,' which refers to a recent trend of increased interest and resurgence in smaller and more portable digital cameras, or digicams, is strong with young enthusiasts looking for a nostalgic appeal in retro looks and simple point-and-shoot cameras, others, on the other hand, could very well look at 'Half-Frames,' another resurging trend that started out with the recent launches and interests in the reincarnation of the 35mm half-frame film cameras.
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The half-frame format, though, is not strictly film only, as many digital cameras are also available with image frame settings that could be adjusted in-camera to the ratio. An interesting vintage setup that can be used with the in-camera frame setting for half-frames is the mirrorless Olympus Pen E-PM2, the smallest and lightest compact system camera on the market when it was launched in 2012, seen here coupled with a legacy manual focus Olympus PenF F.Zuiko 38mm 1:1.8, a 35mm half-frame film camera lens from the 1960s.
Though focused on being small, minimalist, and easy to use, with a body dimension of approximately 109.8 x 64.2 x 33.8mm and 223 grams in weight, the Pen E-PM2 is highly functional as it comes with flagship-camera features including a 16.1MP sensor and TruePic VI image processor (as seen on the E-PL5 and OM-D E-M5), a 3-inch touchscreen, two-axis image stabilization, and a customizable interface that allows the camera to be set up to users preferences.
The accompanying F.Zuiko PenF 38mm f/1.8, which should be well past 60 years old by now, is part of the Olympus PenF series of half-frame SLR system cameras, which were in production from 1963 to 1972. The solidly built lens features a classic double Gauss design with 6 elements in 5 groups, 5 aperture blades, measures approximately 50mm x 35mm in size, accepts 43mm filters, and weighs 138 grams.
The lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.35 meters, and at 38mm on the half-frame, is equivalent to a standard normal 50mm on a 35mm full-frame camera. Designed specifically for the Pen F system with a fast f/1.8 aperture, the lens is known for its good image quality, particularly when stopped down, with minimal distortion or chromatic aberration.
On the 2x crop sensor E-PM2, the F.Zuiko PenF 38mm f/1.8 is equivalent to a 76mm short telephoto lens on a 35mm full-frame. For good use, a 75mm short telephoto lens is an excellent choice for portrait photography, with a flattering perspective, good background separation, and compression. The focal length is also versatile enough for street photography (which I will try on another session), especially when you want to isolate subjects or create tighter compositions from a mid-to-long distance.
With its short telephoto mode, wide aperture, and close focusing distance, the lens is equally suitable for use in close-ups and macro shots. Though thoughtfully disadvantageous without the help of a 'peak focusing' feature, the E-PM2 can be fitted, optionally, with an external EVF (electronic view finder) to enhance focusing accuracy.
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