[Olympus PEN] What is a half-frame camera?

A half-frame camera is a camera that can take twice as many pictures as regular 35mm film.
The reason why this is possible is because only half a frame of film is used when shooting. Half-frame cameras first appeared in the 1960s. Cameras were born in this era when cameras were very expensive, and many models had cute exteriors with luxurious metal bodies, and are now very popular among people who want to start using film cameras.

But why did the manufacturers come up with the idea to shoot using only half of the film? The hint lies in the historical background that I have already mentioned. In the 1960s, cameras and film seemed to be within the reach of ordinary people. In this era, half-frame cameras became popular due to their economy, allowing you to take twice as many pictures with a single roll of film.

As the price of film fell in the 1970s, the popularity of half-frame cameras also declined. However, now that we have entered the digital age and the merits of film cameras have been reaffirmed, half-frame cameras are once again attracting attention as film cameras that are easy to use, even for beginners.

Capable of taking twice as many photos

Half-frame cameras use only half a frame of film to take pictures, so you can take twice as many pictures as normal. In other words, if you use a film that takes 36 shots, you can take 72 shots. Since only half a frame of film is used, if you hold the camera normally and take a photo, the photo will be vertical.

Retro and cute body

Half-frame cameras, which were born 50 to 60 years ago, have an attractive retro body that modern digital cameras do not have. Just by wearing it, it looks like a vintage accessory, so this camera is especially recommended for stylish girls who love second-hand clothing. There seems to be a trend in recent mirrorless single-lens camera designs going back to their roots, but they still can't match the true retro cuteness.

compact body

The width is about 4cm smaller than the iPhone X.

The half-frame camera body is not only retro and cute, but also compact. It has a compact body that fits perfectly in the palm of a camera girl's hand, and is about the size of a modern compact digital camera, so you'll want to go out with it. The fact that it is easy to carry is also a reason why it is recommended for film camera beginners.

Unique and tasteful images

Photos taken with a half-frame camera are characterized by a softer appearance that is different from photos taken with a full-frame camera.

Is it easy to understand if I say "the image looks exactly like a film camera"? The soft and subtle way the light captures the image is truly unique.

However, it is not always this easy to photograph. Depending on the shooting conditions, you may end up with sharper images than you expected.

Can be expressed with a set of 2

With a half-frame camera, which uses only half a frame of film to take a photo, if you shoot two images, you will use one frame. In other words, a half-frame camera can create an expression by pairing two photos. Pairing two pieces will expand the range of expression. You can create a variety of expressions depending on your ideas, such as writing memories like a story or expressing the movement of the subject. By the way, if you want to develop film taken with a half-frame camera, you must clearly tell the photographer whether you want one film or a pair of two. (Some stores may not offer this option.)

The sunset over the Kanda River. The sunset reflected in the river and the sparkle of the water. It's beautiful how the scenery changes over time.

I took half full-size pictures of different facial expressions of cats.