Hey cool!
How would you say they stack up against the M6 in size and handling? How are the zuiko lenses?
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...
