redisburning
Well-known
I wear glasses (with fairly thick lenses as I am exceptionally near-sighted) and have found little advantage to later OM cameras with the reduced magnification.
The OM-1 gets my vote for best OM body.
The OM-1 gets my vote for best OM body.
f16sunshine
Moderator
I like what Frank has to say. Pair your mechanical body with a more advanced OM4 or OM3 if you could find a decent one. The f6 is a big ass beast. May as well shoot medium format if you are going to carry such a big form factor around. If it's the advanced metering system in the F6 you are looking for. The OM4 from what I have read is as good as any in that department.
The OM lenses I use on my 5Dii are as good as the Zeiss SLR series IMO. For the price of your ZF Planar 50 you can have a 3 lens set of Zuiko primes that are astounding and a compact kit to boot. You know already I'm sure
BTW I have an OM2 and OM2s. I like the S even though it has a bad reputation for battery drain.
The OM lenses I use on my 5Dii are as good as the Zeiss SLR series IMO. For the price of your ZF Planar 50 you can have a 3 lens set of Zuiko primes that are astounding and a compact kit to boot. You know already I'm sure
BTW I have an OM2 and OM2s. I like the S even though it has a bad reputation for battery drain.
Biggles
My cup runneth amok.
Have just been reminded of what truly bothered me about the OM-4: It ate batteries as if they were beer nuts. Other found dead in its bag.
MRohlfing
Well-known
OM-4 Ti and later OM-4 do not do that any more. There was a fault in the circuit of the earlier OM-4
MRohlfing
Well-known
Hey guys, can't quite understand your comments about the OM-4 being too fiddly or complicated - except that the needle metering of the OM-1/2 might be easier to read
If you set it to MANUAL and ignore SPOT, it works like an OM-1
If you set it to AUTO and ignore SPOT, it works like an OM-2
If you set it to MANUAL and use SPOT, it works like an OM-3
If you set it to AUTO and use SPOT, it works like an OM-4
If you set it to MANUAL and ignore SPOT, it works like an OM-1
If you set it to AUTO and ignore SPOT, it works like an OM-2
If you set it to MANUAL and use SPOT, it works like an OM-3
If you set it to AUTO and use SPOT, it works like an OM-4
FrankS
Registered User
The way to tell if your OM4 has the updated circuit board without battery drain issue, is if the battery check buzzer turns itself off after 30 sec. The original earlier troublesome version keeps on buzzing.
Liquid-Sky
Unregistered consumer
Ronny
Well-known
I just say Pentax ME and Pentax MX
Small Great Cameras!
Small Great Cameras!
Ronny
Well-known
back alley
IMAGES
i see there are some om bodies in the classified...i'm tempted myself...if only they were digital!
MRohlfing
Well-known
Digital cameras like the OM do not exist yet - I guess you'll have to wait 10 or 20 more years until they reach that level
:angel:
FrankS
Registered User
They are film cameras. Film is cool.
Keith should just buy both and decide after using them for a while, which he prefers.
MRohlfing
Well-known
AFenvy
Established
I love my OM-4Ti, I think it is perhaps the most intelligently designed camera I have ever used, but it can almost feel like a medical tool in your hands. Super light weight with the titanium plates, ultra precise not only in its manufacture, but also in its controls. The extremely well dampened shutter feels and sounds light and airy in this lightweight body.
However, while I would never sell the OM-4Ti, I prefer the feel of the earlier OM bodies. The heavier metal construction makes them feel more solid, and since the bodies are heavier, the shutter actuation feels more solid than the airy OM-4Ti. The film advance is much smoother on the earlier bodies because they don't have to charge the stronger springs for the extra stop of shutter speed as well. In the aesthetics department, the glossy black paint over brass (or chrome) on the earlier models looks much nicer than the textured matte black on the titanium OM-4Ti, and when it wears, it brasses where the titanium is just dull grey.
I now lust after a black OM-1n, and slightly regret selling my brassy OM-2.
However, while I would never sell the OM-4Ti, I prefer the feel of the earlier OM bodies. The heavier metal construction makes them feel more solid, and since the bodies are heavier, the shutter actuation feels more solid than the airy OM-4Ti. The film advance is much smoother on the earlier bodies because they don't have to charge the stronger springs for the extra stop of shutter speed as well. In the aesthetics department, the glossy black paint over brass (or chrome) on the earlier models looks much nicer than the textured matte black on the titanium OM-4Ti, and when it wears, it brasses where the titanium is just dull grey.
I now lust after a black OM-1n, and slightly regret selling my brassy OM-2.
MRohlfing
Well-known
On the other hand, maybe it's better he buys the Nikon F6. He is used to lugging around that big D700 anyway, so what? And the F6 has autofocus, matrix metering, spot metering, average metering, built in motor, EXIF data logging, feels just great and can use any lens the D700 uses (even those infamous evil 'G' lenses without aperture ring).
If he uses the right link when ordering, he will even support Ken Rockwell's growing family
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
The D700 is mainly for paid gallery work and not something I would lug around by choice ... we're talking recreational shooting here!
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Please stop telling me I should get an OM-2 ... I already have one! LOL
Aside from the extra shutter speed of an OM-4 I like the idea of being able to meter in very poor light without searching out the match needle meter which can be nearly impossible to see in certain conditions. I tried my OM-2 in low mixed light recently in AE and exposure was all over the place ... the meter was being confused constantly by black backgrounds and light from PC monitors ... the shots I took at the same location with my OM-1 based an an average incident reading off the back of my hand were much better exposed. I was curious to see how the OM-2 would cut it in this environment because the camera is generally foolproof outdoors in AE but it was no good in this instance ... there were too many extremes and if you're going to have to constantly compensate in AE you may as well just meter manually!
An OM-4 is sounding good at this time and maybe an F6 at some point in the future if I get a rush of blood and can't help myself.
Aside from the extra shutter speed of an OM-4 I like the idea of being able to meter in very poor light without searching out the match needle meter which can be nearly impossible to see in certain conditions. I tried my OM-2 in low mixed light recently in AE and exposure was all over the place ... the meter was being confused constantly by black backgrounds and light from PC monitors ... the shots I took at the same location with my OM-1 based an an average incident reading off the back of my hand were much better exposed. I was curious to see how the OM-2 would cut it in this environment because the camera is generally foolproof outdoors in AE but it was no good in this instance ... there were too many extremes and if you're going to have to constantly compensate in AE you may as well just meter manually!
An OM-4 is sounding good at this time and maybe an F6 at some point in the future if I get a rush of blood and can't help myself.
Gerry M
Gerry
Keith,
I have OM1, 2 & 4T. As pointed out earlier, the 4T will equal the functions of the other bodies and actually gives more options, I use it (4T) 95% of the time. I use the 1 & 2 to exercise them. I would like a 3T, but not at the prevailing prices!
I have OM1, 2 & 4T. As pointed out earlier, the 4T will equal the functions of the other bodies and actually gives more options, I use it (4T) 95% of the time. I use the 1 & 2 to exercise them. I would like a 3T, but not at the prevailing prices!
Hibbs
R.I.P. Charlie
I've have owned OM1n, OM2, OM2n and an OM2S which I gave to my nephew. Of all of them, I prefer the OM2 with the otf meter. My OM2N was stolen in Portugal, so when it came to replacing it, I grabbed an OM2 locally. I decided on the OM2 after John H. mentioned that the meter is capable of longer exposures.
~ Hibbs
~ Hibbs
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I've decided to get an OM-4 from Frank ... I remembered he was selling one in the classifieds a while ago and fortunately for me it's still available.
I guess if I finish up not liking it, it won't be hard to pass on!
Does anyone have a 2-13 screen they want to sell?
Actually ... Rick! What was the maxwell screen you used and what was the price, and of course is it as good as the 2-13. Oh, and does it affect the metering?
I guess if I finish up not liking it, it won't be hard to pass on!
Does anyone have a 2-13 screen they want to sell?
Actually ... Rick! What was the maxwell screen you used and what was the price, and of course is it as good as the 2-13. Oh, and does it affect the metering?