First OM

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Mfennell

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I am shopping on eBay to buy my first OM. I will probably get an OM-2n. Any suggestions on reasonable price range or things to watch out for in camera or lense quality. Maybe even a seller you all trust? There are several up now that look pretty good to me. Thanks for any advice you can offer.
 
Good! better to look at ones serviced, there's one guy that offer a OM1n chrome serviced and modified for 1,5volt batteries, the work looks great. Pick up an old glass 50 G-zuiko silver nose on the way ! OM2n are more recent less risky...
 
If you feel lucky, OM-2 bodies are sometimes listed as "not working" when the mirror is locked up - usually this just requires a new battery and just like that, your OM-2 is "fixed".
 
Thanks. This helps a bit. How readily are the batteries for these cameras available? I see there is one at KEH that has been modified for 1.55 volts and it seems to get a more premium price.

Mitch
 
OM2 models use a Eveready 357/303 battery. These are readily available in lots of stores.

The OM1 needs the 1.35v. You can use a 675 zinc air (hearing aid) battery with a #9 o-ring (from a hardware store) to make it fit. These are 1.4v but that is close enough for good exposures. Or you could get an MR9 adapter and put the 357 battery in it.
 
OM2n will use modern Silver Oxide 1.5V. I had the light seals removed and replaced which cost me $120 dollars I think. Some do it themselves for much less.

The OM2n is an ingenious camera. Even if it is turned off it will give you a perfect automatic exposure, so long as the calculated shutter speed is not slower than 1/30s. Many OM4's had a battery chewing reputation. The later ones were better. It had a complex spot metering capacity that many found invaluable. I have my Dad's but I haven't fixed it up because of its battery attitude and because it was only worth putting one OM back in service, and I chose the OM2n. I find Olympus "glass" overrated, but the lenses are brilliantly compact and light.
 
Hi steveniphoto,
I've been eyeing off some OM gear from KEH, what grade did you buy? I have to buy a bit to make the shipping worthwhile though, $100+...
 
My minimalist set would be an OM-1 and OM-2N, with the 50/1.4, 28/2.8, 85/2, a 35-70/3.5-4.5 and the 75-150/4 zoom.

My best advice would be to spend a bit more and get the finest condition gear you can find.

Worn out and 'parts/non-working' bodies or dirty lenses will lead to disappointment.

-Bill L.
 
Well I ended up getting an OM4 and a 50mm 1.8 from KEH. The guy on the phone said it was very clean. So i am moving away from digital ever so slowly. I'm not entirely mechanical yet, but getting there. Thanks to all of you for your advice and input.

Now for a scanner,
Mitch
 
wblynch said:
My best advice would be to spend a bit more and get the finest condition gear you can find.

Worn out and 'parts/non-working' bodies or dirty lenses will lead to disappointment.

-Bill L.
Click to expand...


And there it is, just like that annoying voice in my head that more often than not, is right. 😎
 
wblynch said:
My minimalist set would be an OM-1 and OM-2N, with the 50/1.4, 28/2.8, 85/2, a 35-70/3.5-4.5 and the 75-150/4 zoom.

My best advice would be to spend a bit more and get the finest condition gear you can find.

Worn out and 'parts/non-working' bodies or dirty lenses will lead to disappointment.

-Bill L.
Click to expand...

This is exactly my OM kit, with the exception of the 85/2. I was lucky, as I purchased through ebay and everything has worked as advertised (although I had to re-glue one of the knurled rubber focus bands.)

I think the OP will be very happy with their decision.
 
Personally, I would avoid both the OM-3 and OM-4 because of the battery drain issue. They're good cameras but they do suddenly stop working properly at inopportune times. The 'ti' versions are a considerable improvement. I also wouldn't bother with Zuiko zooms which, in my experience, were of mediocre quality.

The OM-1, OM-2 (and OM-1n and OM2n), OM-3ti and OM-4ti are very good indeed. So are most of the prime lenses which are still very affordable.

Accessories like dedicated flashguns and motordrives/winders are also cheap and good. The OM Motordrive 2 is by some margin the best add-on motor drive I've used: I have three and they're great!
 
No repair parts for the battery drain issue....OM3/OM4

No repair parts for the battery drain issue....OM3/OM4

Ade-oh said:
Personally, I would avoid both the OM-3 and OM-4 because of the battery drain issue. They're good cameras but they do suddenly stop working properly at inopportune times. The 'ti' versions are a considerable improvement. I also wouldn't bother with Zuiko zooms which, in my experience, were of mediocre quality.

The OM-1, OM-2 (and OM-1n and OM2n), OM-3ti and OM-4ti are very good indeed. So are most of the prime lenses which are still very affordable.

Accessories like dedicated flashguns and motordrives/winders are also cheap and good. The OM Motordrive 2 is by some margin the best add-on motor drive I've used: I have three and they're great!
Click to expand...

It's my current understanding that there are no longer (as used to be) repair circuit boards for the battery drain issue, and that many of these circuit boards have been scavenged from OM4Ti bodies in disrepair.
 
I have a OM-1n and OM-4t w 50mm f/1.4 silvernose, 50mm f/3.5 macro, 50mm f/1.8, 100mm f/2.8, and 35mm f/2.

I like the OM-1n and 50mm f/1.8 the best. I bought it from Jon Goodman w new light seals and a real working mercury battery. Smooth as silk.

The OM-4T will sometimes stop working suddenly, like it did at the ZZ Top concert last week!. I think the batteries are toast, and then 3 minutes later it is working again! And it has the updated circuitry. I always turn the shutter speed to bulb or 1/60 to turn off the meter after shooting as well. Go figure....

Kent
 
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