KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Well, the run of the mill Zuikos (50/1.8, the slower 28's, 135's and 200's) do go for a reasonable price, but the other lenses are pricier than their equivalents from Canon and Nikon, in my experience.
Anyway, I am looking forward to more wonderful shots from Avotius, this time with the OM.
Anyway, I am looking forward to more wonderful shots from Avotius, this time with the OM.
charjohncarter
Veteran
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/olympus/olympus_om-1/olympus_om-1.htm
Maybe someone has posted this but it is the manual.
Maybe someone has posted this but it is the manual.
mh2000
Well-known
The meter will be off, but will work perfectly with hearing aid batterires. Actually you don't even need a battery if you can get by without a builtin meter. It's a fine camera and that is a very pleasing lens IMO.
shimo-kitasnap
everything is temporary..
Hey cool!
I've always wanted to try the OM. Currently I'm using an M6 (which I'm selling) with a cron-c and elmar-c and am thinking about selling it all for more money to pay for things like car insurance and working towards my pilot's license.
How would you say they stack up against the M6 in size and handling? How are the zuiko lenses?
Thanks peoples
I've always wanted to try the OM. Currently I'm using an M6 (which I'm selling) with a cron-c and elmar-c and am thinking about selling it all for more money to pay for things like car insurance and working towards my pilot's license.
How would you say they stack up against the M6 in size and handling? How are the zuiko lenses?
Thanks peoples
freeranger
Well-known
I love my OM-1
It is such fun to use. Almost as much fun as a rangefinder...almost
I use the hearing aid, wein cell method. I have a small section of insulated electrical wire, curled into a circle to use as a "washer". The battery compartment is then nice and snug for the smaller battery.
Use it and have fun. These cameras are gems!
It is such fun to use. Almost as much fun as a rangefinder...almost
I use the hearing aid, wein cell method. I have a small section of insulated electrical wire, curled into a circle to use as a "washer". The battery compartment is then nice and snug for the smaller battery.
Use it and have fun. These cameras are gems!
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hans voralberg
Veteran
OM-1 often have finder/prism degradation problem so if it's not as bright as the X700, give it a CLA. In mint condition it will be very close, I have both.
shimo-kitasnap
everything is temporary..
Oh and what's the difference between all those different OM-xx?
BillBingham2
Registered User
The OM-1 is one of those classic cameras that changed the world. UPI was going to switch to them when they first came out, not sure if or how long it lasted. Some of the glass they did was world class, some was good, nothing I've ever heard of was bad.
B2 (;->
B2 (;->
Avotius
Some guy
I will get back to you on those points here tomorrow when I snap a pick of the om1 and my m6 next to each other. So far though comparing it to my friends Nikon FE2 we both agree the om1 is smaller and more dainty not to mention the film advance and shutter sound is a lot quieter but we both agree the nikon is the better overall package. We will see, results from film first
BillBingham2
Registered User
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/olympusom1n2/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympus_OM-3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympus_OM-4
OM-10 was a auto-only camera with an adapter that you plugged into the front to set shutter speeds. Going after the Rebel/Nikon EM market segment.
OM-2000 is a Cosina body with an OM mount. Mostly came with a 35-70ish zoom. More robust IMHO than the OM-10 but not up to an OM-1/2/3/4.
B2 (;->
BillBingham2
Registered User
Not sure FM/FE was better
Not sure FM/FE was better
I was making a choice of my first SLR when the OM-1 first came out. One of my teachers brother was a rep for Olympus so I was able to barrow the entire system for a few weekends (in High School at the time). I ended up going Nikkormat FTn because it felt better in my hands (fat). A few years back I got an OM-1 on EvilBay after using my M6/4-P for many years. Now the OM-1 felt better than it did many years back. Not sure why, but she is very small. I think the build quality of the OM is better than the FM/FE/FA series, with the exception of the FM3a, which is a true Nikon, at least to me.
B2 (;->
Not sure FM/FE was better
......but we both agree the nikon is the better overall package. We will see, results from film first
I was making a choice of my first SLR when the OM-1 first came out. One of my teachers brother was a rep for Olympus so I was able to barrow the entire system for a few weekends (in High School at the time). I ended up going Nikkormat FTn because it felt better in my hands (fat). A few years back I got an OM-1 on EvilBay after using my M6/4-P for many years. Now the OM-1 felt better than it did many years back. Not sure why, but she is very small. I think the build quality of the OM is better than the FM/FE/FA series, with the exception of the FM3a, which is a true Nikon, at least to me.
B2 (;->
Avotius
Some guy
We felt the fe2 was a better overall because it was more familiar to the hand and had less quirks but needless to say we want to see what the pictures from the cam look like. He did the same thing I did and did a double take at the asa dial, quite unusual. Tomorrow will take it out for a spin as I stuck a battery into it and did a rough check and it seems to underexpose by about half a stop. Will check it out better tomorrow.
nzeeman
Well-known
great you got that camera. i always liked it a lot - never had it but i had opportunity to hold it in hands and look through vf. really bright vf! enjoy!
Spyderman
Well-known
If you look at the pdf which I linked to in my previous post, you would see that if you have wrong battery voltage, the error of the meter readout is 0 to 3 EV and it changes in different light conditions. In dim light the error is smaller than in bright light outside. That is also the reason why a simple setting of lower ASA won't help...
gnarayan
Gautham Narayan
Forgive the blown highlights - quick snaps. I'll give you my opinion but let me say at the outset that the M6 is a very recent buy while I've had my OMs a while. So some questions to go along with my opinions. I do however have a Bessa R3a and am happy to compare it to that.
I picked up the M6ttl for myself to eventually replace the R3a after borrowing the 90 cron from a friend and finding it a bit of a crapshoot wide open on the R3a. Focusing longer lenses is not an issue I've ever had with the OMs and I use the 85-90ish a lot.
The M6 is much better than the R3a in this regard but it is still easier to compose looking TTL IMO. That said I got the R3a in the first place because I wanted wide angle lenses (old zuiko wides are expensive) and it turns out to be easier to focus in low light and useful to see what the scene looks like in different framelines and what is included vs excluded. Just different ways of seeing in the end. I still sort of prefer the 1:1 finder on the R3a to the M6 so far and have wondered about the magnifier. Anyone know good cheaper alternatives to the OEM one for the M6?
I have been annoyed that I cannot see the shutter speed in the VF of the M6 but this is also the case with the OM1s. I prefer my Bessa and OM2ns in this regard.
The OMs feel very dense but not heavy - very reassuring. The M6 is the only other camera I have that feels as good. They are both several notches above the R3a in this regard. In use it does not feel bigger at all, and oddly with some of the longer lenses (in particular my 85/2 which I absolutely love) it feel smaller (than an M6 or R3a with a 90 cron).
Handling vs the M6 I'm going to dodge because I've only put about 5 rolls through it so far. While I like the R3a it would be unfair to compare it against an OM1 since the R3a has AE. Luckily I also have OM2ns
Many of the elements of the Bessa like the exposure compensation are almost copies of the OMs - the layout is similar. The difference is in manual rather than AE. The Bessa shutter speed dial on the top is trditional but nowhere near as efficient as the aperture, focus and shutter speed all falling to the left hand on the OM. It is brilliant in my opinion. Not found another camera I'd prefer to use in manual yet because of that. The OMs are quieter than the R3a (so are some sledgehammers IMO...) but the M6 is better than the OM1n and with the OM2n it sounds like a different tone but it isn't much quieter funnily enough.
As for the Zuiko lenses - I'm particularly fond of the 85/2 and the 135/2.8. I like the 35/2.8, the 50/1.8 is sharp and focuses nice and close. The 1.4s are not as sharp but quite usable and I do actually prefer them because they are lower contrast. I'd take the 40 Nokton over the 50/1.4. The 55/1.2 is big, soft and dreamy and has lots of CA and vignetting but it is fun to use. I dislike the 28/2.8 because I think it has a bit too much distortion and CA for a small prime and my ZD kit 14-42 ran made it look awful. I am being persnickety and this is more testament to how good the ZD lens is. I have a spiratone 20/2.8 in OM. It doesn't get used much. My 21/4 on the other hand does.
It is difficult for me to compare lenses directly. I've used a lot of OM lenses and not nearly as many M mount ones. I've borrowed a 50 and a 90 cron for a bit to go with the VC 12/21/40 set that I own. For the 12 there is no comparison obviously. 21 I got the Bessa for wides mostly and only recently started hankering after something longer and fast (recommendations anyone?) which is when I figured out just how much rangefinder base length mattered.
Phew. I'm shooting an event tonight and my E510 will come with and I think my M6 with it just to use it more.
Cheers,
-Gautham
P.S. Price is no contest here -
M6TTL body only cost a $1000 bucks (and it has been recently CLA'd)
OM2n and a 50/1.4 cost $75
OM1n and a 50/1.8 CLA'd by camtech cost $150
If your goal is value for money...
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Gaspar
Established
This is my favourite camera, period. Small, all mechanic, all manual, sturdy yet ergonomic. I have OM-10;4TI and two om-1n but for simplicity of build and reliability this is peerless.
Add to that a superb range of tiny lenses and you have the best travelling pack.
Some people have complained about the shutter dial. I think the om solution is yet to be matched for full manual control of a camera. Even modern digital slrs don't offere such a friencly shutter speed control.
The on myth that needs to be debunked it the lenses being cheap. The standard lens is cheap but all the top primes comand very good prices. Moreover, you can't even find them anymore. I believe more and more canon users are using these lenses in the DSLRs with an adapter.
Add to that a superb range of tiny lenses and you have the best travelling pack.
Some people have complained about the shutter dial. I think the om solution is yet to be matched for full manual control of a camera. Even modern digital slrs don't offere such a friencly shutter speed control.
The on myth that needs to be debunked it the lenses being cheap. The standard lens is cheap but all the top primes comand very good prices. Moreover, you can't even find them anymore. I believe more and more canon users are using these lenses in the DSLRs with an adapter.
BillBingham2
Registered User
I had very good luck with a 35/2.8 and a 85/2. The 100/2.8 is smaller, but the 85 just sucks the light in so nicely. The 28/3.5 is great as is the 180/2.8. If you want small and long 200/5, about the size of a 135/3.5 in M mount.
B2 (;->
B2 (;->
manfromh
I'm not there
I have been thinking about an OM1 as well, but reading about the battery issues and hearing that om-m42 (im not giving up my takumar 50 1.4) adapters need to have glass in them, I've passed on the idea in favor of my Pentax ME Super.
How do OM1 and ME/ME Super compare to each other in size?
How do OM1 and ME/ME Super compare to each other in size?
dee
Well-known
Maybe it's just personal .
i bought a new OM1 based around the hype - and quickly chopped it n for an outdated Minolta SRT 200 used and a bit abused , which is still going strong .
I much prefer the feel of the Rokkors , even on my Dig 3 - Zuikos seemed TOO sharp / gritty , but then I am dee-lighted with a Summitar and Fed / Elmar on my M 8 / IIIc , so who am I to say ...
but if I were to be given an OM1 ... I may try to change my mind !
dee
i bought a new OM1 based around the hype - and quickly chopped it n for an outdated Minolta SRT 200 used and a bit abused , which is still going strong .
I much prefer the feel of the Rokkors , even on my Dig 3 - Zuikos seemed TOO sharp / gritty , but then I am dee-lighted with a Summitar and Fed / Elmar on my M 8 / IIIc , so who am I to say ...
but if I were to be given an OM1 ... I may try to change my mind !
dee
jmkelly
rangefinder user
The OM-1 was my first camera and continues to give me joy. I love my rangefinders, but if I were to experience a financial crisis, the OM-1 would probably be the one camera I keep.
Ten years ago mine needed a CLA/foam replacement. The guy who did the job added a diode to allow the meter to work properly with the 357/LR44 1.5v silver-oxide cell. I use a couple of rubber o-rings to center the cell in the chamber.
Dim finder? Two words: Beattie Intenscreen. Yes, this screen is more expensive than a Zuiko 50/1.8 lens. Worth it.
The original covering was peeling. I considered Griptac, but can't resist black lizard.
dee: too sharp? Hmmm... the Zuiko 85/2 is a Sonnar design and gives creamy-soft portraits. The 50/1.2 in the pic above is not anywhere near as sharp as the Zuiko 50/1.8 or even the 50/1.4, but produces a lovely glow in low-light.
Ten years ago mine needed a CLA/foam replacement. The guy who did the job added a diode to allow the meter to work properly with the 357/LR44 1.5v silver-oxide cell. I use a couple of rubber o-rings to center the cell in the chamber.
Dim finder? Two words: Beattie Intenscreen. Yes, this screen is more expensive than a Zuiko 50/1.8 lens. Worth it.
The original covering was peeling. I considered Griptac, but can't resist black lizard.
dee: too sharp? Hmmm... the Zuiko 85/2 is a Sonnar design and gives creamy-soft portraits. The 50/1.2 in the pic above is not anywhere near as sharp as the Zuiko 50/1.8 or even the 50/1.4, but produces a lovely glow in low-light.
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