Before the first Olympus PEN was released, the ordinary man had practically no idea of what he really looked like. They pretty much just took what they could get: furtive glances in rain puddles, brief reflections in soup spoons – that sort of thing. There was a sheer moment of panic when the PEN arrived in 1959. There was no denying what the revolutionary clear photographs showed them: they were more hideous than previously imagined.
The Olympus PEN is a bit of an icon – the world’s first truly portable camera in 1959; it was smaller and lighter than anything else and it didn't cost as much as a small island.
Celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, in 2009 Olympus continues to produce iconoclastic interchangeable lens cameras with a cult following amongst both photographers and amateurs. The latest offering is the Olympus PEN E-P1.
Lifelounge has been lucky enough to receive four of these bad boys to be road-tested by some of Australia’s best upcoming photographic talent. Our chosen photographers –
Steve Gourlay,
Joseph Allen Shea,
Cybele Malinowski, and Josh Robenstone – will be exploring the technical aspects of the camera on their blogs from now until mid-October.
Covering all bases from skate to music, travel to pop culture (and even a gay swingers' party); Steve, Joe, Cybele and Josh will explore the world – and bring it to you – through the lens of photographic icon.
You're welcome.
More at
pen.olympus.com.au.