Olympus Pen- EE

[philmco]

I picked up one of these at a thrift store. The back appears jammed shut. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get it open. It has a release catch on the bottom which does move freely, but has no impact on the release of the back
Thanks Phil

[philmco]

Am I ever embarassed!
It slides off like a Nikon F. I didn't know it was a half - frame camera?
Of course it is still jammed and won't fire or even advance film.
Face still red.
Phil

[PeterW]

Hi Phil,

I've got a Pen EES-2, which I imagine is similar, and on that there's a fingernail catch at the bottom of the left hand side looking at the back of the camera. When you pull this down the back springs open.

If you've got the same sort of catch, and it doesn't release the back, there should be a couple of crosshead screws under the leatherette by the side of the catch. With these out you may be able to fiddle the catch open. Best of luck.

Peter

[PeterW]

Phil, our posts crossed!

Your camera is obviously different from my EES-2 half-frame as the back on mine is hinged. If it's any help there's a feature on stripping the shutter on an EES-2 by Henry Taber at
www.kyphoto.com/classics/penees2repair.html

It may or may not help.

Peter

[philmco]

Peter
The Pen EE doesn't even focus so I guess it is even simpler. I will dive into the shutter and see what is jammed. Thanks for the reference.
Phil

[PeterW]

Phil,

Just browsing this evening I came across this question and answer on another forum. To save you searching for it as it's a bit buried in other stuff, I copied it. Here it is:

"Q. Can anyone offer advice on how to remove the top of a Pen EE? I took out the two screws under the rewind crank (and the screw in the middle of the crank) and the screw on the counter end near the strap lug. But the top seems to be still attached at the counter end and I don't want to prise too much. Have I missed a screw or something?


A. There is a screw (of sorts) in the middle of the counter. You will see two small holes there for the purpose of inserting a spanner wrench.

Did you also remove the rewind crank itself? To do so, insert a screwdriver blade into the slot of the rewind crank (inside the film cartrige bay) then gently turn the crank counter-clockwise until you feel it give.

If you get both of those the top should come right off. "

Thought it might be handy if you have to take the top off to clear the jam.

Peter

[philmco]

Thanks Peter.
I am working up to doing that . I just have to get the counter screw off with some type of small pin spanner. I will let the group know how i make out.
Phil